The fastest way to block websites on iPhone

The built-in Screen Time feature on iPhone lets you block specific websites without installing anything extra. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, go to Web Content, and choose Restricted Web Content. From there you can add individual website URLs to a blocklist, or use Apple's pre-made categories to block adult content, gambling sites, or other groups.

This method works across Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and most other browsers on your phone because it operates at the system level rather than within a single app. The blocks stay in place even if you close and reopen the browser, and they persist if someone tries to use private browsing mode.

If you want to block websites on someone else's iPhone — a child's device, for example — you can set up a separate Apple ID with Screen Time restrictions and use Family Sharing to enforce them remotely.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time's Content & Privacy Restrictions block websites system-wide across all browsers without needing a separate app.
  • You can block individual URLs or use Apple's pre-made categories like adult content or gambling sites.
  • Blocks work in private browsing mode and survive app closures because they operate at the iOS level.
  • If you set a Screen Time passcode, someone would need that code to remove or modify the blocks.
  • Family Sharing lets you enforce website blocks on a child's device from your own iPhone.

Setting up website blocks in Screen Time step by step

Start by opening the Settings app and scrolling down to Screen Time. Tap it, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions near the top of the screen. You'll see a toggle — turn it on. iOS will ask you to create a four-digit Screen Time passcode; this code is what prevents someone from turning off the restrictions without permission.

Once that's done, go back and tap Web Content. You'll see three options: Unrestricted Web Content, Limit Adult Websites, and Restricted Web Content. Choose Restricted Web Content if you want to block specific sites, or Limit Adult Websites if you want to use Apple's automatic filtering instead.

If you picked Restricted Web Content, scroll down to the Never Allow section. Tap the plus sign and type in the full URL of the site you want to block — for example, example.com or subdomain.example.com. Add as many as you need. Each one will be blocked immediately.

Using Apple's pre-made website categories instead

If you don't want to list websites one by one, the Limit Adult Websites option uses Apple's own filtering to block adult content, gambling, and similar categories automatically. This is less precise — you can't customize which sites get through — but it requires no maintenance on your part.

To use it, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content and select Limit Adult Websites. Apple's filter runs in the background and blocks sites it categorizes as adult or gambling-related. You can still add specific sites to the Never Allow list even with this option turned on, so you can combine automatic filtering with manual blocks.

The downside is that Apple's categories sometimes block legitimate sites and sometimes miss ones you'd prefer blocked. If precision matters — for example, if you're trying to block a specific social media site — the manual blocklist approach works better.

Blocking websites on a child's iPhone using Family Sharing

Family Sharing lets you set up Screen Time restrictions on a child's device from your own iPhone, and the child can't change them without your approval. Start by making sure both iPhones are signed into the same Family Sharing group. On your own phone, go to Settings > Family Sharing and confirm the child's account is listed.

Then open Settings > Screen Time, tap the child's name at the top, and go to Content & Privacy Restrictions. Turn it on and set a passcode. From here, you can block websites exactly as described above — the blocks will sync to their device and take effect immediately.

The child will see a message saying the site is blocked by Screen Time if they try to visit it. They can request permission to visit a blocked site, which sends a notification to your phone. You can approve or deny the request from your device.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked website

When a blocked site is accessed, Safari or another browser shows a message saying the page is restricted by Screen Time. The user sees the site's URL and the reason it's blocked, but the page itself doesn't load. There's usually a button to request access, which sends a notification to whoever set up the restrictions.

If the person has the Screen Time passcode, they can temporarily disable the restrictions or remove the site from the blocklist. Without the passcode, they're stuck — they can't bypass the block by switching browsers, using private mode, or restarting the phone.

One limitation: Screen Time blocks don't stop someone from accessing a website through a VPN or proxy service, which routes their traffic through a different server. If preventing access to specific sites is critical, Screen Time alone isn't a complete solution.

Removing or changing website blocks later

To remove a blocked site, go back to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content > Restricted Web Content. Find the site in the Never Allow list, swipe left on it, and tap Delete. The block lifts immediately.

If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you'll need to reset it through your Apple ID. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Can't Access? and follow the prompts to verify your identity. Apple will let you create a new passcode, but this process requires your Apple ID password and may take a few minutes.

If you're managing a child's device and need to change their restrictions, do it from your own phone through Family Sharing rather than asking them to do it — that way the changes stay under your control.

Other ways to block websites on iPhone

Third-party apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, and 1Blocker offer more detailed blocking options than Screen Time, including scheduling blocks for certain times of day or setting different rules for different users. These apps cost money — typically $5 to $15 per year — and require you to install them on the device you want to protect.

Your WiFi router can also block websites at the network level, which affects all devices connected to that WiFi. Most routers have a parental controls section in their settings where you can enter URLs to block. This works even if someone uses a VPN on their phone, because the block happens before the VPN connection is made. The downside is that it only works on your home network, not on cellular data or other WiFi networks.

For most people, Screen Time is the simplest option because it's built in, free, and works everywhere the phone goes. Use a third-party app only if you need features Screen Time doesn't have, like time-based scheduling or detailed usage reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass a blocked website using a VPN?

Yes. Screen Time blocks operate at the app level, so a VPN app can route traffic around them. If preventing access to specific sites is critical, you'll need additional measures like router-level blocking or a dedicated monitoring app. Screen Time is effective against casual browsing but not against determined circumvention.

What if I block a website but it still loads in an app?

Screen Time blocks only work in web browsers, not in apps that have their own built-in web views. For example, blocking Instagram.com in Safari won't prevent someone from using the Instagram app itself. To restrict app access, use Screen Time's App Limits or Downtime features instead.

Can I block a website for certain hours and allow it at other times?

Screen Time doesn't have built-in scheduling for individual website blocks — they're either on or off all day. Third-party apps like Freedom do offer time-based blocking. Alternatively, you can use Screen Time's Downtime feature to block all web browsing during certain hours, then manually remove specific sites from the blocklist during allowed times.

Will blocking a website on my iPhone affect other family members' devices?

No. Blocks you set on your own device only affect your iPhone. If you want to block a site on someone else's device, you need to either set it up on their phone directly or use Family Sharing to manage their restrictions remotely from your phone.

What's the difference between Limit Adult Websites and Restricted Web Content?

Limit Adult Websites uses Apple's automatic filtering to block sites in certain categories without you having to list them. Restricted Web Content lets you manually choose which sites to block. Limit Adult Websites is easier but less precise; Restricted Web Content gives you full control but requires you to add sites yourself.