The fastest way to block an app on iPhone

The quickest method is to use Screen Time, Apple's built-in restriction tool. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then App Limits. Select the app you want to block and set its limit to zero minutes — this removes it from your home screen and requires a passcode to open it. You can also use Restrictions within Screen Time to block entire app categories, like Games or Social Networking.

If you want to hide an app without blocking it entirely, you can move it to the App Library (swipe to your last home screen and drag the app there) or delete it from your device. Deleting removes the app but keeps your data if you reinstall it later.

For parental controls on a child's iPhone, Screen Time lets you set restrictions from your own device using Family Sharing. This is the method most people use because it requires a separate passcode that the child cannot change.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is built into every iPhone and lets you set app limits to zero minutes, which hides the app and requires a passcode to open it.
  • You can block entire categories of apps (Games, Social Networking, Health) rather than individual apps if you prefer.
  • For a child's device, use Family Sharing to set restrictions from your own iPhone so they cannot change the passcode.
  • Deleting an app removes it from your device but does not erase your data in that app if you reinstall it later.
  • Moving an app to the App Library hides it from your home screen but does not block access — you can still find and open it by searching.

Using Screen Time to block individual apps

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If this is your first time using it, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose "This is My iPhone" (or "This is My Child's iPhone" if you are setting it up for someone else). You will be asked to create a Screen Time passcode — write this down, because you will need it to change these settings later.

Once Screen Time is on, tap App Limits. Tap "Add Limit" and select the app you want to block. Set the time limit to zero minutes and tap Add. When the limit is reached, the app will be grayed out on your home screen. Tapping it will show a message saying time is up, and you will need to enter your Screen Time passcode to open it anyway.

This method works for any single app — Messages, Instagram, Safari, Games, or anything else. The app stays on your device but becomes inconvenient to access, which is useful if you want to discourage use without completely removing it.

Blocking entire app categories instead of single apps

If you want to block all games, all social media, or all entertainment apps at once, Screen Time lets you do this by category. Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Add Limit. Instead of selecting a single app, select a category like Games, Social Networking, or Entertainment. Set the time limit to zero minutes.

This approach is faster than blocking apps one at a time, and it automatically includes new apps you download in that category. For example, if you block the Games category and then download a new game later, that game will be blocked immediately without you having to add it manually.

You can combine category limits with individual app limits. You might block all Games but allow a specific educational app, or block Social Networking but allow Messages.

Setting up Screen Time for a child's iPhone

If you are the parent and your child has their own iPhone, use Family Sharing to manage their Screen Time from your device. Go to Settings > Family Sharing and add your child's account if you have not already. Then go to Screen Time > Family, select your child's name, and set up restrictions.

From your own iPhone, you can now set app limits, block categories, and change content restrictions for your child's device without them being able to override your choices. Your child will see a message saying "Ask for More Screen Time" when they hit a limit, and they can request more time from you — you will receive a notification and can approve or deny it.

Your child cannot change the Screen Time passcode you set, and they cannot turn off Screen Time entirely. If they forget their own device passcode, they will still be able to use their phone but cannot change Screen Time settings.

Hiding apps without blocking them

If you want to remove an app from your home screen but keep it on your device, swipe to your last home screen and look for the App Library — a grid of app icons organized by category. Long-press an app on your home screen, tap "Remove App," then choose "Remove from Home Screen." The app moves to the App Library but remains on your device and can still be opened by searching for it.

This is different from blocking because the app is still fully functional — you just cannot see it at a glance. Someone with access to your phone can still find and open it by swiping down and typing the app name in the search box.

If you want to completely remove an app from your device, long-press it and tap "Remove App," then choose "Delete App." You will be asked to confirm. The app is deleted, but your data in that app is saved to iCloud, so if you reinstall it later, your information will be there.

Using Restrictions to block content types

Screen Time also includes a Restrictions section that lets you block types of content rather than specific apps. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it on. You can then block movies, TV shows, books, and apps based on their rating (G, PG, PG-13, R, and so on).

For example, you can set it so that only G-rated movies can be watched, or so that apps rated 12+ cannot be opened. You can also restrict web content to allow only adult websites, or block specific websites by name.

This is useful if you want to allow an app to be used but prevent access to certain types of content within it. For instance, you might allow Safari but block adult websites, or allow the App Store but prevent downloads of games rated 17+.

What happens when an app is blocked

When you set an app limit to zero minutes, the app icon appears grayed out on your home screen. Tapping it shows a message saying "Time Limit Reached" or "Ask for More Screen Time." If it is your own device, you can tap "Ask for More Time" or "Enter Passcode" and type your Screen Time passcode to open the app anyway.

If it is a child's device under Family Sharing, they will see "Ask for More Screen Time" and can send you a request. You will get a notification on your device, and you can approve the request (giving them 15 more minutes) or deny it. The child cannot open the app without your approval or without waiting until the next day when the limit resets.

Notifications from blocked apps still arrive, but opening the app itself requires the passcode or approval. The app is not deleted — it is just restricted from being used until the limit is extended or the day resets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else remove the app blocks I set up?

No, not without your Screen Time passcode. If you set up Screen Time on your own iPhone, only someone who knows your passcode can change the limits. If you set it up for a child through Family Sharing, they cannot change it at all — they can only request more time from you.

What if I forget my Screen Time passcode?

You will need to reset it using your Apple ID. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap "Forgot Passcode?" and sign in with your Apple ID. You can then create a new passcode. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you will need to reset that first through Apple's account recovery process.

Does blocking an app delete my data in that app?

No. Blocking an app with Screen Time hides it and restricts access, but your data stays on your device. If you later remove the block or delete and reinstall the app, all your messages, photos, and settings in that app will still be there.

Can I block an app on my own iPhone without a child using it?

Yes. You can set app limits on your own device to discourage yourself from using certain apps. You will still be able to open them by entering your passcode, but the extra step makes it less convenient. Some people use this method to reduce time spent on social media or games.

What is the difference between blocking an app and deleting it?

Blocking keeps the app on your device but restricts access with a passcode. Deleting removes the app entirely, though your data is saved and you can reinstall it later. Blocking is reversible with just a passcode change, while deleting requires you to download the app again from the App Store.