The fastest way to block a website on Android

The simplest method is to use your phone's built-in parental controls or a free blocking app. Android does not have a single "block this site" button in Settings, so you will need either Google Family Link (if you manage a child's device), a third-party app like Freedom or Cold Turkey, or your Wi-Fi router's blocking feature. The router method blocks the site across your whole network; an app blocks it only on that device.

If you want to block sites on a child's Android device that you own, Google Family Link is the easiest choice because it integrates directly with Android and requires no separate app purchase. If you want to block sites on your own device, a dedicated blocking app gives you more control and works on any network, not just your home Wi-Fi.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Family Link lets you block websites on a child's device remotely, and the blocked sites appear as inaccessible in all browsers.
  • Third-party blocking apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, and AppBlock work on your own device and block sites across all browsers and apps.
  • Your Wi-Fi router can block sites for all devices on your network, which is useful if you want to prevent access without installing anything on the phone itself.
  • Some browsers like Firefox have built-in parental controls that block sites within that browser only, not across the whole device.
  • Blocking apps work best when combined with a PIN or password that prevents the user from uninstalling or disabling them.

Using Google Family Link to block websites

Google Family Link is Google's parental control tool, and it works on Android devices you manage for a child. You set it up on your own phone first, then link it to the child's device. Once linked, you can block specific websites and apps from your phone, and the child cannot undo the block without your PIN.

To set up Family Link, download the Google Family Link app on your own phone from the Google Play Store. Open it, tap "Create a family group," and follow the prompts to add the child's device. Once the child's device is linked, open Family Link on your phone, tap the child's name, then tap "Controls on Google Play" or "App activity" depending on your Android version. Look for a "Manage sites" or "Restricted content" option. Some versions of Family Link do not have a direct website-blocking feature; if yours does not, use the app blocking feature instead to block browsers like Chrome or Firefox, which prevents web access entirely.

The limitation of Family Link is that it only works if you set it up on a device you own and manage. If the child has their own Google account that is not linked to your Family Link group, you cannot use this method.

Blocking websites with a third-party app

Apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, AppBlock, and BlockSite let you block websites on your own Android device or on a device you control. These apps work by filtering traffic at the system level, so they block the site in Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet, and any other browser or app that tries to access it.

Download one of these apps from the Google Play Store. Freedom and Cold Turkey have free versions with basic blocking; AppBlock and BlockSite are free with optional paid upgrades. Open the app, tap "Add a block" or "New block," and enter the website URL you want to block (for example, reddit.com or youtube.com). Set a time schedule if you want the block to apply only during certain hours, or leave it on all day. Then set a PIN or password that prevents you from disabling the block without entering the code.

The PIN is important: without it, you can simply open the app and remove the block whenever you want, which defeats the purpose if you are trying to block a site to break a habit. With a PIN, you have to wait until the scheduled block time ends or use a recovery code (which most apps provide for emergencies). Some apps let you set a "break" time — for example, blocking a site for 23 hours and allowing 1 hour of access — which can help if you need the site occasionally for work.

Blocking websites through your Wi-Fi router

If you want to block a website for all devices on your home network — not just one phone — you can do it in your router's settings. This method works on any device that connects to your Wi-Fi, including phones, tablets, and computers. The person using the device cannot bypass the block unless they switch to a different Wi-Fi network or use mobile data.

Open a web browser on a computer or phone connected to your Wi-Fi. Type your router's IP address into the address bar (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1; check your router's label if neither works). Log in with your router's admin username and password (also on the label, or in the manual). Look for a section called "Parental Controls," "Content Filtering," "Access Control," or "Website Blocking" — the exact name varies by router brand. Add the website URL you want to block, save the settings, and the block takes effect immediately.

The downside of router blocking is that it affects everyone on the network, including guests. It also does not block sites accessed through a VPN or mobile data, only through your Wi-Fi. If the person using the phone knows your router password, they can log in and remove the block themselves.

Blocking websites within a specific browser

Some browsers have their own parental control or content filtering features that block sites within that browser only. Firefox has a "Restricted Browsing" mode that blocks adult content; Chrome does not have a built-in blocking feature, but you can use Chrome's supervised user accounts if you set up Family Link.

To use Firefox's content filtering, open Firefox, tap the menu (three horizontal lines), go to Settings, and look for "Browsing" or "Content Blocking." You can set it to block adult sites, but you cannot add custom sites to the block list in Firefox's free version. If you need custom blocking in Firefox, you will need to use a third-party app instead.

Browser-level blocking is less reliable than device-level blocking because the user can simply switch to a different browser. If you want to prevent that, use a device-level app or Family Link instead.

What to do if the person uninstalls the blocking app

If you set up a blocking app on a device you do not physically control, the user can uninstall it. To prevent this, set the app as a device administrator in Android Settings. Open Settings, go to "Security" or "Apps," find "Device admin apps" or "Device administrators," and enable the blocking app. Once enabled as a device admin, the app cannot be uninstalled without first removing it from the device admin list — a step that usually requires a PIN if you set one up.

Google Family Link prevents uninstallation automatically because it is managed from your phone, not the child's. Third-party apps do not have this protection unless you manually enable it. Some phones also let you set up a "Restricted Profile" or "Guest Profile" that limits what apps can be installed, which is another way to prevent uninstallation.

Blocking websites on mobile data, not just Wi-Fi

The methods above work on Wi-Fi. If you want to block a site when the user is on mobile data (4G, 5G, LTE), you need a device-level app like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or AppBlock, because those apps filter all traffic leaving the phone, not just Wi-Fi traffic. Router blocking does not work on mobile data because the phone is not using your router.

If you use Family Link, it blocks sites on both Wi-Fi and mobile data because it is integrated into Android itself. Third-party apps vary: some block on both, some only on Wi-Fi. Check the app's description in the Play Store to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the person using the phone bypass a blocked site with a VPN?

Yes, if you are blocking at the router level. A VPN encrypts traffic so the router cannot see which sites are being accessed. Device-level apps like Freedom and Cold Turkey can block VPNs themselves or block traffic that goes through a VPN, depending on the app. Family Link does not block VPNs. If you need to prevent VPN use, use a device-level app with VPN blocking enabled, or disable the phone's ability to install apps (which requires a Restricted Profile or Family Link).

Will blocking a website slow down my internet?

No. Blocking apps and router filters have minimal impact on speed because they simply prevent access to certain addresses; they do not filter or inspect all traffic. You may notice a very slight delay the first time you try to access a blocked site, but normal browsing will not be affected.

Can I block a website on only certain apps, not all of them?

Not easily. Device-level blocking apps block a site across all apps and browsers. If you want to block a site in only one app (for example, block YouTube in Chrome but not in the YouTube app), you would need to block the app itself using Family Link or a parental control app, not the website. Some advanced router settings let you block by app, but this requires technical setup.

What happens if I forget the PIN I set on a blocking app?

Most blocking apps provide a recovery code when you first set the PIN. Write it down and store it somewhere safe. If you lose both the PIN and the recovery code, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the app, which removes the block. Some apps let you reset the PIN by answering security questions or using your Google account, but this varies by app.

Does blocking a website prevent it from sending notifications?

No. Blocking a website prevents you from visiting it in a browser, but apps associated with that website can still send notifications. If you want to stop notifications from an app, go to Settings, find the app in "Apps" or "Notifications," and turn off notifications there. You can also uninstall the app entirely.