How to block an app depends on your device and what you want to stop
Blocking an app means preventing it from running, sending notifications, or accessing certain features — but the method changes based on whether you use iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac. On most devices, you can restrict an app without deleting it, stop it from using your location or camera, or prevent it from launching at all. Some blocks are built into the operating system; others require a separate tool or parental control feature.
The fastest route is usually your device's built-in settings. iPhones have Screen Time, Android phones have Digital Wellbeing or parental controls, Windows has app restrictions in Settings, and Macs use parental controls in System Settings. If you need to block apps for someone else on a shared device, parental control features give you more power — you can set time limits, prevent downloads, or lock specific apps entirely.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can restrict app usage through Screen Time, which lets you set time limits, prevent app launches, or block notifications without deleting the app.
- Android phones offer Digital Wellbeing (newer devices) or parental controls (all devices) to limit app access, set usage timers, or block app installation.
- Windows computers can restrict app launch through Settings > Apps > App execution aliases, or use parental controls if the account is a child account.
- Mac computers use parental controls in System Settings to block app launches, set time limits, or prevent app installation on managed accounts.
- Third-party tools like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or AppBlock offer more granular control but require installation and may conflict with system settings.
Blocking apps on iPhone with Screen Time
Screen Time is Apple's built-in tool for restricting app access on iPhone and iPad. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap App Limits. Choose the category of apps you want to limit (Social Networking, Entertainment, Games) or select individual apps, then set a daily time limit. When the limit expires, the app becomes unusable until the next day unless you tap "Ask for More Time" and approve it.
To block an app completely without a time limit, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Allowed Apps. Toggle off any app you want to block. That app will disappear from the home screen and cannot be launched. You can also prevent app downloads, in-app purchases, or specific features like the camera or microphone by staying in this menu and adjusting permissions.
If you set a Screen Time passcode, these restrictions lock in place and cannot be changed without the code. This is useful if you are setting limits for someone else or want to prevent yourself from overriding the block.
Blocking apps on Android with Digital Wellbeing or parental controls
Android phones running version 9.0 or newer have Digital Wellbeing built in. Open Settings, search for "Digital Wellbeing," then tap it. Select the app you want to block and tap the timer icon. Set a daily time limit — when time runs out, the app grays out and becomes unusable until midnight. You can also tap the app name and toggle "Pause app" to block it immediately without waiting for a timer to expire.
For older Android phones or more control, use parental controls. Go to Settings > Parental controls (the exact path varies by manufacturer), create or select a child account, then manage which apps that account can access. You can block app installation, prevent app launches, or set screen time limits. Some Android phones also have a "Kids Space" or "Kids Home" feature that creates a separate locked environment with only approved apps.
If you want to block notifications from a specific app without blocking the app itself, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Notifications and toggle off "Allow notifications." The app will still run, but you will not see alerts.
Blocking apps on Windows
Windows does not have a simple built-in "block this app" button in the main Settings menu, but you can prevent an app from launching by removing it from startup or using app execution aliases. Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and toggle off any app you do not want to run when Windows starts. This does not block the app entirely, but it stops it from launching automatically.
For stronger control, create a separate user account for the person whose apps you want to restrict, then go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add a family member. Choose "Child" and set up parental controls. From another admin account, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, select the child account, then click "App and game restrictions." You can block specific apps, set screen time limits, or prevent app installation.
If you want to block an app on your own admin account, third-party tools like Cold Turkey or Freedom are more effective than Windows' native options. These programs run in the background and prevent you from launching blocked apps or accessing websites, even if you try to uninstall them.
Blocking apps on Mac
Mac does not have a straightforward way to block apps on an admin account, but you can restrict apps on a managed account. Go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions and remove any app from the "Allow in the Login Window" list to prevent it from launching at startup. This does not block the app entirely, but it stops automatic launch.
For stronger restrictions, create a managed account for the person whose apps you want to control. Go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, click the lock to unlock settings, then create a new account and select "Managed account." From an admin account, go back to Users & Groups, select the managed account, then click "Parental Controls." You can block specific apps, set time limits, or restrict access to certain features.
If you want to block apps on your own admin account, third-party tools like Cold Turkey, Freedom, or SelfControl offer more control than Mac's native settings. These programs prevent you from launching blocked apps or accessing websites during set times.
Using third-party blocking tools for more control
Apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, AppBlock, and Focus@Will let you block apps and websites across multiple devices with more granular control than built-in tools. You can set schedules (block apps only during work hours), create blocklists, or set a "frozen turkey" mode that cannot be disabled even if you restart your device. Most require a subscription and run in the background.
Freedom works on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android and syncs blocks across devices. Cold Turkey is Windows-only but offers the strongest lock-in — once you set a block, you cannot disable it until the timer expires, even if you restart. AppBlock is Android-only and focuses on blocking apps and websites with customizable schedules.
These tools are useful if built-in parental controls are not strong enough, but they can conflict with antivirus software or system updates. Install only one blocking tool at a time, and check reviews before purchasing to make sure it works with your device's current operating system version.
Blocking notifications without blocking the app
If you want to use an app but silence its alerts, you do not need to block the entire app. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications, select the app, and toggle off "Allow Notifications." You can also choose "Deliver Quietly" to let notifications arrive without sound or badges. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Notifications and toggle off "Allow notifications."
On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications, scroll to "Notifications from apps and other senders," find the app, and toggle off its notifications. On Mac, go to System Settings > Notifications, select the app, and uncheck "Allow notifications." You can also choose "Banners" or "Alerts" to control how notifications appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block an app so someone else cannot see it on a shared device?
Yes, but only on a managed or child account. Create a separate user account for that person, then use parental controls to hide or block specific apps. On iPhone and iPad, use Screen Time with Content & Privacy Restrictions. On Android, use parental controls or Kids Space. On Windows and Mac, use the parental controls built into managed accounts. The app will not appear on their home screen or app drawer.
What happens if I block an app — does it delete my data?
No. Blocking an app prevents it from running or sending notifications, but it does not delete the app or your data inside it. If you unblock the app later, all your data remains. The only way to lose data is to uninstall the app entirely, which is different from blocking it.
Can I block an app on someone else's phone without their knowledge?
On a device you own and manage (like a child's phone), yes — use parental controls or Screen Time. On someone else's personal device, no — you cannot install blocking software or change settings without their password or permission. Parental control features require either physical access to the device or the account password.
Will blocking an app stop it from using my location or camera?
Blocking an app with time limits or app limits does not prevent it from accessing your location or camera. To stop an app from using those features, go to Settings > Privacy (iPhone/Android/Mac) or Settings > Privacy & Security (Windows), select Location or Camera, and toggle off the app. This is separate from blocking the app itself.
What if I forget my Screen Time or parental control passcode?
On iPhone, you can reset Screen Time through Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode > Forgot Passcode, then verify your Apple ID. On Android, parental control passcodes vary by manufacturer — check your phone's support site. On Windows and Mac, you can reset a parental control passcode through the admin account. If you cannot access the admin account, you may need to reset the device.