The simplest way to block a site on Android Chrome
Android Chrome does not have a built-in block feature in the app itself. Instead, you have three working routes: use your phone's system-level parental controls, install a third-party browser extension that works on Android, or change your DNS settings to filter sites before they load. The easiest for most people is the system-level approach, which blocks sites across all apps, not just Chrome.
If you want to block only within Chrome and do not want to install extra software, DNS filtering is your next option. It requires changing one setting in your phone's network configuration, and it works immediately — but it blocks the same sites on every app that uses your internet connection.
Key Takeaways
- Android's built-in parental controls (Digital Wellbeing on most phones) let you block sites across all apps without installing anything extra.
- DNS filtering services like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families or OpenDNS block sites at the network level before Chrome even tries to load them.
- Third-party browser extensions designed for Android Chrome, such as BlockSite or Freedom, can block specific sites within the app only.
- Blocking at the system level is harder to bypass than blocking within Chrome, because it affects all traffic on your phone.
Using Android's built-in parental controls
Most Android phones come with Digital Wellbeing (Samsung phones call it Samsung Kids or Parental Controls, depending on the model). This system-level tool blocks sites across Chrome, Firefox, and any other app that uses your internet connection. Open Settings, then tap Digital Wellbeing and parental controls (or search for "parental controls" if you cannot find it). You will need to set a PIN that is separate from your phone's unlock code.
Once you have set a PIN, go to Parental controls and turn it on. Then tap Manage restricted content and select Websites. You can add individual URLs to the block list. The blocked site will not load in any app on your phone, and the person who knows the PIN can change or remove the blocks later.
This method works well if you want to prevent access across your entire phone, but it requires you to remember the PIN you set. If you forget it, you will need to factory reset your phone or contact Google support to regain access.
Filtering sites through DNS settings
A DNS filter intercepts requests before they reach Chrome. When you try to visit a blocked site, the filter returns a "site not found" message instead of loading the page. The most common free option is Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families, which blocks adult content, malware, and phishing sites automatically. Another option is OpenDNS, which lets you create a custom block list.
To set up Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families, download the 1.1.1.1 app from the Google Play Store. Open it, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select Advanced. Turn on 1.1.1.1 for Families. The app will ask for permission to set up a VPN connection — this is how it filters your traffic, though it does not hide your IP address the way a traditional VPN does.
For OpenDNS, you will need to change your phone's DNS settings manually. Go to Settings > Network and Internet > Advanced > Private DNS. Enter dns.opendns.com and save. Then create an OpenDNS account on their website and log in to add specific sites to your block list. Changes take a few minutes to take effect.
Installing a browser extension for Chrome
Android Chrome supports extensions, though fewer are available than on desktop Chrome. BlockSite and Freedom are two extensions that work on Android and let you block specific sites within Chrome only. Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, go to Extensions, then tap Open Chrome Web Store. Search for the extension you want, tap Add to Chrome, and confirm.
Once installed, most extensions let you add sites to a block list directly from the address bar. When you try to visit a blocked site, you will see a message saying the site is blocked, but you can usually bypass it by disabling the extension temporarily. This makes extensions less reliable if you need to prevent access for someone else — they can simply turn the extension off.
Extensions work only in Chrome, so if someone switches to Firefox or another browser, the blocks do not apply. They are most useful if you want to block sites for yourself as a reminder, rather than as a hard barrier.
Comparing the three methods
| Method | Blocks across all apps | Requires extra software | Easy to bypass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Wellbeing | Yes | No | Only with PIN |
| DNS filtering | Yes | Yes (app or manual setup) | Requires changing DNS again |
| Chrome extension | No (Chrome only) | Yes | Yes (disable extension) |
If you want the strongest barrier, use Digital Wellbeing with a PIN you do not share. If you want to block sites across all apps without using parental controls, DNS filtering is the next best option. If you only need to block sites within Chrome and do not need a hard barrier, an extension is the quickest to set up.
What happens when you try to visit a blocked site
The experience depends on which method you used. With Digital Wellbeing, Chrome will show a message saying the site is restricted and cannot be accessed. With DNS filtering, you will see a "server not found" or "site cannot be reached" error, which looks like a normal connection problem. With a Chrome extension, you will see a custom block page that usually includes a button to disable the extension.
None of these methods hide your browsing from your internet service provider or from the websites you visit — they only prevent the page from loading on your phone. If privacy from your ISP is your goal, you would need a VPN instead, which is a different tool with a different purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block a site on Android Chrome without parental controls?
Yes. DNS filtering (like Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families) blocks sites at the network level without using parental controls. You can also install a Chrome extension like BlockSite, though extensions are easier to disable than system-level blocks.
Will the person I am blocking sites for know I blocked them?
With Digital Wellbeing, they will see a message saying the site is restricted. With DNS filtering, they will see a connection error that looks like a normal network problem. With an extension, they will see a block page and may realize an extension is active if they check Chrome's extension menu.
Can I block a site on someone else's Android phone?
Yes, if you set up Digital Wellbeing with a PIN on their phone, they cannot remove the blocks without the PIN. DNS filtering and extensions are easier to disable, so they are less reliable for controlling someone else's access.
Does blocking a site in Chrome also block it in other browsers?
No. Chrome extensions only work in Chrome. Digital Wellbeing and DNS filtering block sites across all apps and browsers on your phone.
What if I forget the Digital Wellbeing PIN?
You will need to factory reset your phone or contact Google support. There is no way to recover a forgotten parental control PIN without resetting the device, so write it down or store it somewhere safe.