The simplest way to block websites on Chrome for Android and iPhone

Chrome itself does not have a built-in website blocker. Instead, you block websites through your phone's operating system settings, through a third-party app, or by using Chrome's parental controls if you are managing a child's device. The method you choose depends on whether you want to block sites for yourself, enforce restrictions on someone else's phone, or create a household rule that applies across multiple devices.

If you want to block a site on your own phone, the fastest route is a third-party blocker app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. If you are a parent or guardian setting restrictions on a child's device, Chrome's built-in Family Link tool lets you block categories of content and specific websites directly from your own phone. If you want system-wide blocking that affects all apps on the phone, not just Chrome, you can use your phone's native parental controls.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome Mobile has no native website blocker, so you must use your phone's parental controls, a third-party blocker app, or Chrome Family Link if you are managing a child's account.
  • Third-party blocker apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or AppBlock work across all apps on your phone and let you set schedules and block by category or specific URL.
  • Chrome Family Link, available only if you manage a child's Google account, lets you block specific websites and content categories from your own device.
  • Your phone's native parental controls (Screen Time on iPhone, Digital Wellbeing on Android) can restrict app access but do not block specific websites within Chrome.
  • Website blockers work best when combined with a strong password or PIN that you do not share, because most can be disabled by anyone with device access.

Using a third-party blocker app for your own phone

Apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker, AppBlock, and BlockSite run on your phone and intercept requests to websites you add to a blocklist. When you try to visit a blocked site in Chrome, the app shows a warning page instead of loading the website. Most of these apps cost between $3 and $10 per month or offer a free version with limited features.

To set up a blocker app: download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, open it, and add the websites you want to block by typing the domain name (for example, reddit.com or twitter.com). Many apps let you set schedules—for instance, blocking social media sites during work hours but allowing them in the evening. Some also block by category, so you can block "social media" or "news" as a group rather than listing individual sites.

The main limitation is that anyone with access to your phone can usually disable the blocker if they know the PIN or can uninstall the app. If you want the block to stick, set a strong PIN that only you know and, on Android, enable the "Device Administrator" permission for the blocker app—this makes it harder to uninstall without that PIN.

Setting up Chrome Family Link for a child's account

Chrome Family Link is Google's parental control tool built into Chrome. It works only if you have set up a child account (under 13 in most countries) and linked it to your own Google account as the parent or guardian. You manage restrictions from your own phone or computer, not from the child's device.

To use Family Link for website blocking: open the Family Link app on your phone, select the child's account, tap "Controls on Google Play," then look for "Manage sites" or "Restricted content" (the exact label varies by Android or iOS version). You can block specific websites by URL or block entire categories like adult content, violence, or gambling. The child cannot remove these blocks without your approval, because they require your parent PIN to change.

Family Link blocks sites in Chrome and in the Chrome browser on Android tablets, but it does not block sites accessed through other browsers like Safari on iPhone or Firefox on Android. If the child uses a different browser, you will need to block sites there separately or use your phone's native parental controls for a system-wide restriction.

Using your phone's built-in parental controls

Both iPhone and Android have native parental control systems that can restrict app access, but neither blocks specific websites within a browser. Screen Time on iPhone and Digital Wellbeing on Android let you set time limits on apps and prevent installation of new apps, but they do not intercept web traffic.

If you want system-wide website blocking that affects Chrome and all other apps, you need to use your phone's DNS settings or install a VPN-based blocker. Some parental control apps like Bark, Qustodio, or Net Nanny work by routing your phone's internet traffic through their own servers, which filter out blocked sites before they reach your device. These apps work across all browsers and apps, but they require you to install a configuration profile on your phone and usually cost $10 to $20 per month.

Blocking websites on a shared family device

If multiple people use the same phone and you want to block sites for everyone, the most reliable method is a third-party blocker app combined with a PIN that only you know. Apps like Freedom and AppBlock let you set a "lock" that prevents anyone from disabling the blocker without entering your PIN.

On Android, you can also create a separate user account for each person and apply different restrictions to each account through Digital Wellbeing. However, this works only if your phone supports multiple user accounts (many do not), and it still does not block specific websites—only app access and screen time.

Why Chrome Mobile has no built-in blocker

Chrome on desktop has extensions like LeechBlock NG and Freedom that block websites directly within the browser. Chrome Mobile does not support extensions, so you cannot install a blocker that works only in Chrome. This is a limitation of how mobile browsers work: they have less access to your phone's system than desktop browsers do, and Google has not built website blocking into Chrome Mobile itself.

If you switch to a different mobile browser, some alternatives like Firefox on Android do support add-ons, including blockers. However, most people find it simpler to use a system-wide blocker app that works in any browser rather than switching browsers.

What to do if you forget your blocker PIN

If you set a PIN on a blocker app and forget it, you usually cannot recover it without uninstalling and reinstalling the app, which removes all your blocked sites. Some apps like Freedom let you reset your PIN through your account if you log in with your email and password. Check the app's settings or help page for a "forgot PIN" or "reset" option before uninstalling.

If you are a parent who set a PIN on a child's device and forgot it, contact the app's support team with proof of purchase or account ownership. They can sometimes reset it for you, but the process varies by app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a website just for myself in Chrome without affecting other apps?

Yes, use a third-party blocker app like Freedom or AppBlock. These apps block websites in Chrome and other browsers but do not affect other apps on your phone. You can also use Chrome Family Link if you manage your own account, though this is designed for parents managing children's accounts.

Will a website blocker stop me from accessing a site on mobile data instead of WiFi?

Most blocker apps work on both WiFi and mobile data because they intercept traffic at the app or system level. However, some DNS-based blockers work only on WiFi. Check the app's description to confirm it blocks on mobile data if that matters to you.

Can my child disable a blocker app I installed on their phone?

If you set a PIN and enable Device Administrator permissions (on Android), they cannot uninstall it without your PIN. On iPhone, they can delete the app unless you restrict app deletion through Screen Time. For strongest enforcement, use Chrome Family Link or a parental control app like Bark that requires your parent PIN to disable.

Do I need to pay for a website blocker?

Many blocker apps offer free versions with basic features, like blocking a limited number of sites or no scheduling. Paid versions (usually $3 to $20 per month) add schedules, category blocking, and stronger PIN protection. For parental controls, most apps charge monthly because they require ongoing server costs to filter traffic.

What happens if I block a website and then want to unblock it?

Open the blocker app, find the site in your blocklist, and remove it. If you set a PIN, you will need to enter it. The site will be accessible again the next time you try to visit it. Some apps let you temporarily unblock a site for a set time (like 30 minutes) without removing it permanently.