The fastest way to block a website on iPhone

You can block websites on iPhone using Screen Time, Apple's built-in parental control and app management tool. Screen Time lets you restrict access to specific websites in Safari, and the block works across all browsers on your phone — not just Safari. You set it up in Settings, create a Screen Time passcode that only you know, then add websites to a restricted list.

The restriction takes effect immediately. When someone tries to visit a blocked website, they see a message saying the site is restricted and cannot proceed without your Screen Time passcode. This works whether you're blocking sites for yourself, for a child using your phone, or for a family member's device you manage.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is built into every iPhone and blocks websites across Safari and all other browsers without needing a separate app.
  • You must create a Screen Time passcode before adding websites to the restricted list, and you cannot bypass the block without this passcode.
  • Blocked websites are restricted at the device level, so the block applies whether someone uses Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser.
  • You can block individual websites or entire categories like adult content, gambling, or social media without blocking every site in that category.

Setting up Screen Time and creating a passcode

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If you haven't used Screen Time before, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose whether you're setting it up for yourself or a child. Then tap "Continue" and select "This is My iPhone" or "This is My Child's iPhone" depending on whose device it is.

Next, you'll create a Screen Time passcode — a four-digit code that protects your restrictions. Write this down somewhere safe. If you forget it, you'll need to reset your entire iPhone to change it. After you enter the passcode twice, Screen Time is active and ready to use.

Adding websites to the restricted list

In Settings, go to Screen Time and tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions." Turn on "Content & Privacy Restrictions" if it's not already on, then tap "Allowed Apps." Scroll down and make sure Safari is toggled on — this lets you use Safari but with restrictions applied.

Now tap "Content Restrictions" and then "Web Content." You'll see three options: "Unrestricted Access," "Limit Adult Websites," or "Allowed Websites Only." Choose "Limit Adult Websites" if you want to block adult content automatically, or "Allowed Websites Only" if you want to create a whitelist where only specific websites work.

To add individual websites to block, stay in this menu and scroll to "Never Allow." Tap the plus sign and type the website address — for example, reddit.com or facebook.com. You can add as many websites as you need. Each one you add will be blocked immediately.

Blocking entire categories instead of individual sites

If you want to block whole categories of content rather than typing in individual websites, Screen Time offers preset categories. In Content Restrictions, tap "Web Content" and choose "Limit Adult Websites." This automatically blocks sites that Apple categorizes as adult content, gambling, or other restricted categories.

The category blocking isn't perfect — some sites slip through, and some legitimate sites get blocked by mistake — but it's faster than adding hundreds of individual websites. You can still add specific sites to "Never Allow" even if you're using category blocking, so you can combine both methods.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked website

When a blocked website is accessed, the browser shows a message saying "This website is restricted" and asks for the Screen Time passcode. Without the correct passcode, the person cannot view the site. They cannot bypass the block by clearing browser history, using private browsing, or switching browsers — the restriction applies device-wide.

If you're blocking sites on your own phone for yourself, you'll need to enter your own passcode if you want to temporarily unblock a site. If you're managing a child's device, they'll need to ask you for the passcode, which gives you control over what they access.

Removing or changing blocked websites

To remove a website from the blocked list, go back to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Never Allow. Find the website you want to unblock, swipe left on it, and tap "Delete." You'll need to enter your Screen Time passcode to confirm.

You can also change which blocking method you're using at any time. If you switch from "Limit Adult Websites" to "Allowed Websites Only," the system will ask you to confirm, and your previous settings will change. Make these changes only when you have your Screen Time passcode available.

Using Screen Time on a family member's iPhone

If you're the family organizer in Family Sharing, you can set up Screen Time restrictions on another family member's iPhone remotely through the Family Sharing settings. Go to Settings > Family Sharing, select the person whose device you want to manage, and tap "Screen Time." From there, you can add websites to their restricted list without needing their phone in front of you.

The person whose device you're managing will see that Screen Time is active, but they won't be able to change the restrictions without your Screen Time passcode. This is useful if you're a parent managing a child's device or if you're helping an older family member limit their own access to certain sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass a blocked website by using a VPN?

A VPN can sometimes bypass website blocks because it routes traffic through a different server. However, if you turn on "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and set a strong Screen Time passcode, you can prevent someone from installing a VPN app in the first place. Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions > Apps and make sure VPN apps are restricted.

What if I forget my Screen Time passcode?

If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you cannot reset it without erasing your iPhone and setting it up again. There is no recovery option. Write your passcode down and store it somewhere secure before you forget it. If you've already forgotten it, you'll need to back up your data, erase the phone in Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, and restore from backup.

Can I block websites on Safari only, not on other browsers?

No. Screen Time blocks websites at the device level, so the restriction applies to Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and every other browser on your iPhone. If you want to block a site, it's blocked everywhere on that phone. You cannot create browser-specific restrictions.

Does blocking a website also block the app for that service?

No. Blocking a website in Screen Time only blocks access through the browser. If someone has the Facebook app installed, for example, they can still use it even if facebook.com is blocked. To restrict an app, you need to manage it separately in Content & Privacy Restrictions > Apps.

Can I set different restrictions for different times of day?

Screen Time has a "Downtime" feature that limits all app and web access during certain hours, but you cannot schedule specific websites to be blocked only at certain times. Website blocks are always active. If you need time-based restrictions, Downtime is your only option, and it applies to all apps and websites, not just specific ones.