The fastest way to block a website on Safari

Safari does not have a built-in feature to block individual websites directly in the browser settings. Instead, you block websites through your device's content restrictions, which work across all apps on that device. On iPhone, iPad, and Mac, this means using Screen Time (called Parental Controls on older Macs) to set up website restrictions.

The process differs slightly depending on your device, but the core idea is the same: you tell Safari which sites to prevent from loading, and the browser enforces that rule. You can block specific websites, block entire categories of content, or restrict access to all sites except ones you explicitly allow.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari blocks websites through Screen Time on iPhone and iPad, or through System Preferences on Mac — not through Safari's own settings.
  • You can block individual websites by their web address, or block entire categories like adult content or gambling sites.
  • Blocking requires you to set a Screen Time passcode, which is separate from your device passcode and cannot be recovered if forgotten.
  • Website blocks apply to Safari and other browsers on that device, so blocking a site in Safari also blocks it in Chrome or Firefox.

How to block websites on iPhone and iPad

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If you have not set up Screen Time yet, tap Turn On Screen Time and choose whether this is your device or a child's device. If it is your own device, you will set your own passcode; if it is a child's device, you set a separate passcode that the child does not know.

Once Screen Time is on, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. Toggle the switch to turn it on, then tap Allowed Apps. Scroll down and make sure Safari is toggled on (it should be). Go back and tap Web Content, then choose Limit Adult Websites. Tap Add a Website Under "Never Allow" and type in the web address of the site you want to block — for example, example.com. Tap Add, and that site will no longer load in Safari.

To block multiple sites, repeat this step for each one. To block an entire category instead of individual sites, choose Unrestricted Web Content instead, and Safari will block all sites in categories you select, such as adult content or gambling.

How to block websites on Mac

Click the Apple menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click Screen Time in the sidebar. If Screen Time is not yet set up, click Turn On, then choose whether this is your Mac or a child's Mac. Set a passcode that you will remember — this is not your login password.

Click Content & Privacy in the left sidebar, then toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions on. Click Web Content, then select Limit Adult Websites. Click the plus sign under "Never Allow" and type the web address of the site you want to block. Click Add, and that site will be blocked in Safari and other browsers.

To block multiple sites, repeat this step for each address. If you want to block entire categories instead, choose Unrestricted Web Content and select the categories you want to restrict.

The difference between blocking individual sites and blocking categories

When you choose Limit Adult Websites and add specific addresses to the "Never Allow" list, you are blocking only those exact sites. This approach works well if you know which sites you want to prevent — for example, blocking a social media site or a news outlet. The downside is that you have to add each site individually, and new sites are not automatically blocked.

When you choose Unrestricted Web Content, you can select broad categories like Adult, Gambling, or Social Networking. Safari will block all sites in those categories automatically, even ones you have never heard of. This is more restrictive but requires less maintenance. You can also use the "Allow" list to permit specific sites within a blocked category — for example, allowing one social media platform while blocking others.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked site

When a blocked site is accessed, Safari displays a message saying the site is restricted and cannot be opened. The person using the device cannot bypass this block without the Screen Time passcode. If they try to change the settings or turn off Screen Time, Safari will ask for the passcode.

If you set up Screen Time on your own device and later forget the passcode, you cannot recover it through Safari or Screen Time settings. You will need to reset your device or contact Apple Support. For this reason, write down your Screen Time passcode and store it somewhere safe if you are setting it on your own Mac or iPhone.

Using third-party browser extensions as an alternative

Some people use browser extensions to block websites instead of Screen Time. Extensions like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or 1Blocker can block sites within Safari and offer features like scheduling (block a site only during work hours) or password protection. These extensions must be installed from the App Store and enabled in Safari's settings.

The advantage of extensions is flexibility — you can set different rules for different times of day, or block sites only in Safari while allowing them in other browsers. The disadvantage is that a determined user can disable the extension if they know how, whereas Screen Time blocks are enforced at the device level. Extensions also require you to trust the developer with your browsing data.

Blocking websites on a family member's device

If you are setting up Screen Time on someone else's device — such as a child's iPhone — choose "This is a child's device" during setup. You will create a Screen Time passcode that only you know. The child cannot turn off Screen Time, change content restrictions, or view the passcode without your permission.

You can manage these restrictions from your own device using Family Sharing. Open Settings, tap your name, then Family Sharing. Select the family member's name, tap Screen Time, and adjust their restrictions remotely. This lets you add or remove blocked sites without touching their device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass a website block on Safari?

Not without the Screen Time passcode. They cannot disable the restriction, change Safari settings, or use a VPN to access the blocked site — Screen Time blocks at the network level, not just in the browser. If they know the passcode, they can turn off the restriction entirely.

Will blocking a website in Safari also block it in Chrome or Firefox?

Yes. Screen Time restrictions apply to all browsers on that device, not just Safari. If you block a site through Screen Time, it will be blocked in Chrome, Firefox, and any other browser installed on that iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

What if I block a site by mistake?

Open Settings, go to Screen Time, then Content & Privacy. Tap Web Content, find the site in the "Never Allow" list, and swipe left on it to delete it. You will need your Screen Time passcode to make this change.

Can I block a website on Safari without setting a passcode?

No. Screen Time requires a passcode to prevent someone from simply turning off the restrictions. If you do not set a passcode, the feature is not truly protective.

Does blocking a website use data or slow down Safari?

No. Blocking happens locally on your device — Safari simply refuses to load the blocked address. There is no performance cost, and it does not affect your data usage.