The fastest way to block a site in Safari depends on what device you're using

On iPhone and iPad, the simplest method is to use Screen Time, Apple's built-in parental control and app management tool. It lets you block specific websites across Safari without installing anything extra. On Mac, you have two main routes: Screen Time (if you're running macOS 10.15 or later) or the parental controls built into System Preferences. Both work directly within Safari and don't require a separate browser extension.

The method you choose depends on whether you want to block sites just for yourself, for someone else on the device, or across multiple Apple devices at once. If you share a device with family members, Screen Time is usually the better choice because it can restrict access without affecting your own browsing.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap Screen Time, then Restrictions, then Content & Privacy Restrictions to block specific websites by domain name.
  • On Mac, use System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), select Screen Time, then Content, and add sites to the Restricted list.
  • Screen Time blocks sites across all browsers on the device, not just Safari, so a blocked site stays blocked in Chrome or Firefox too.
  • If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you'll need to reset it through your Apple ID or erase the device — there's no bypass.

Blocking websites on iPhone and iPad through Screen Time

Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time. If this is the first time you're using Screen Time, you'll be asked whether you're setting it up for yourself or for a child. Choose the option that matches your situation.

Once you're in Screen Time, tap Restrictions (or Content & Privacy Restrictions on some iOS versions). You'll see a toggle at the top — make sure it's turned on. Then scroll down and tap Content Restrictions, followed by Web Content.

You'll see three options: Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, and Allowed Websites Only. Choose Limit Adult Websites if you want to block specific sites while allowing most others. Tap Never Allowed and add the domain name of the site you want to block — for example, type example.com, not the full URL. Repeat for each site you want to block.

If you choose Allowed Websites Only instead, Safari will only load sites you explicitly permit, blocking everything else. This is more restrictive and useful if you're setting up a device for a young child.

Blocking websites on Mac using Screen Time

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on macOS Monterey and earlier). Look for Screen Time in the sidebar.

Click Content in the left menu. You'll see a section labeled Restricted with a list of websites. Click the plus button to add a new site, then type the domain name — again, just the domain like example.com, not https://www.example.com. Click Add to confirm.

The blocked site will appear in the Restricted list. If you change your mind, select it and click the minus button to remove it. Unlike iPhone, Mac's Screen Time doesn't require a passcode by default, so you can modify the list freely unless you've set one up intentionally.

Setting a passcode to prevent changes to blocked sites

If you're setting up blocks for someone else or want to prevent accidental changes, you should set a Screen Time passcode. On iPhone or iPad, go back to the main Screen Time screen (not Restrictions), scroll down, and tap Use Screen Time Passcode. You'll be asked to create a four-digit code and confirm it. You can also use your Apple ID instead of a passcode — tap Use Apple ID Instead if you prefer.

On Mac, open Screen Time settings, then click Options in the bottom-right corner. Check the box next to Use Screen Time passcode and create your code. Once set, anyone trying to change the blocked sites list will need to enter this passcode first.

Write down your passcode somewhere safe. If you forget it, you'll need to reset it using your Apple ID, or in some cases, you may need to erase the device entirely. There's no way to recover a forgotten passcode without one of these options.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked site

When a blocked site is accessed, Safari shows a message saying the site is restricted and won't load the page. The message includes an option to request access if Screen Time is set up with a passcode — the person using the device can tap "Ask for More Time" and send a request to whoever set the passcode.

The person who set the passcode will receive a notification asking whether to allow access for 15 minutes, one hour, or all day. If you deny the request, the site stays blocked. This system works the same way on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Blocking sites across multiple Apple devices with the same Apple ID

If you use Family Sharing, you can set up Screen Time restrictions that apply to a family member's device without being on that device yourself. Go to Settings (iPhone/iPad) or System Settings (Mac), open Screen Time, and look for the option to manage family members. Select the person whose device you want to restrict, then set up content restrictions the same way you would on their device directly.

The blocked sites will sync across that person's devices if they're signed into the same Apple ID. However, each device can have its own additional restrictions — blocking a site on one device doesn't automatically block it on another unless you set it up separately or use Family Sharing to manage it centrally.

Alternatives if Screen Time doesn't meet your needs

Screen Time blocks sites at the device level, which means the restriction applies to all browsers, not just Safari. If you want to block sites only in Safari and allow them in other browsers, Screen Time isn't the right tool.

For more granular control, you can use a third-party DNS filtering service like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families or OpenDNS. These services filter websites at the network level by changing your device's DNS settings. They work across all apps and browsers, but they're more complex to set up and require you to understand DNS basics.

Another option is to use a VPN app that includes content filtering, though most require a paid subscription. These apps filter traffic before it reaches Safari, so they can block sites across all browsers on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a site on Safari without using Screen Time?

Not directly through Safari's built-in settings. Safari doesn't have a native site-blocking feature. Your options are Screen Time (the easiest), DNS filtering services, or a VPN app with content filtering. Screen Time is the only method that requires no additional apps or subscriptions.

What if someone just changes the domain name slightly to get around the block?

If you block example.com, someone could potentially visit example.co or subdomain.example.com and bypass the block. You'd need to add each variation to the blocked list separately. For more comprehensive blocking, a DNS filtering service blocks all variations of a domain automatically.

Does blocking a site in Screen Time hide it from search results?

No. Screen Time only prevents the site from loading in Safari or other browsers. Search results, links, and autocomplete suggestions will still show the blocked site — it just won't open when clicked. If you want to hide search results too, you'd need to use a different filtering method.

Can I block a site on my own device without a passcode?

Yes. You can set up Screen Time restrictions without a passcode on any device. Without a passcode, you can change or remove blocked sites anytime. A passcode is only necessary if you want to prevent someone else (or yourself, as a self-discipline measure) from modifying the list.

Will a VPN bypass a blocked site in Screen Time?

A VPN won't bypass Screen Time blocks because Screen Time operates at the device level, before any VPN connection is made. However, if someone disables Screen Time entirely (which requires the passcode), a VPN could theoretically be used to access blocked content. This is why the passcode matters if you're trying to enforce restrictions on someone else's device.