Safari lets you block specific websites so they won't load, even if you type the address directly

You can block websites in Safari using built-in parental controls on both Mac and iPhone. The method differs slightly between devices, but both approaches prevent the blocked site from loading and show a message instead. This works whether you're trying to limit distractions, protect children from certain content, or prevent accidental visits to sites you want to avoid.

The blocks are device-level, meaning they apply to Safari specifically and persist until you remove them. You'll need your device password or Screen Time passcode to add or remove blocks, so someone can't simply undo your restrictions.

Key Takeaways

  • On Mac, you use Screen Time settings to block websites, and the block applies only to Safari.
  • On iPhone and iPad, you set up website restrictions through Screen Time under Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  • Blocked websites show an error message when you try to visit them, and you cannot bypass the block without your device password.
  • You can block individual websites or entire categories like adult content, gambling, or social media.
  • If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you'll need to reset your device or use your Apple ID to regain access.

Blocking websites on Mac using Screen Time

Open System Settings and click Screen Time in the sidebar. If you haven't set up Screen Time before, click "Set Up Screen Time" and follow the prompts to create a Screen Time passcode — this is different from your login password and protects your restrictions.

Once Screen Time is active, click "App Limits" or "Always Allowed" depending on your macOS version. Look for the option labeled "Content & Privacy" or navigate to it through the Screen Time menu. Click the lock icon and enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted.

Find the section for "Websites" or "Web Content." You'll see options to restrict adult content, gambling, social media, and other categories. Below that, look for "Never Allow" or a field where you can add specific website addresses. Type the full web address (for example, example.com) and click Add. Repeat for each site you want to block.

Once you've added sites to the block list, close System Settings. The next time you try to visit a blocked website in Safari, you'll see a message saying the site is restricted and cannot be accessed.

Blocking websites on iPhone and iPad

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If this is your first time using Screen Time, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose whether you're setting this up for yourself or a child. You'll create a Screen Time passcode at this step.

Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and toggle it on if it's not already active. Enter your Screen Time passcode when prompted. Scroll down to find "Web Content" or "Websites."

You'll see options to restrict categories like adult content, gambling, and social media. Toggle on any categories you want to block. Below that, tap "Never Allow" or "Add Website" to block individual sites. Type the web address and tap Add. You can add as many sites as needed.

Exit Settings. When you open Safari and try to visit a blocked website, the browser will show a message that the site is restricted. The block remains in place until you return to Settings and remove the site from your Never Allow list.

Blocking website categories instead of individual sites

If you want to block entire categories rather than typing individual addresses, both Mac and iPhone let you restrict content types. In Screen Time settings, look for the Web Content section and toggle on "Limit Adult Websites" or other category restrictions.

Category blocking uses Safari's built-in content filter to identify and block sites based on their content type. This is less precise than blocking individual addresses — some sites may slip through, and some legitimate sites might be blocked by mistake. If you find a site is incorrectly blocked, you can add it to an "Always Allow" list so it loads despite the category restriction.

Category blocking is useful if you want broad protection without maintaining a long list of specific addresses. Individual site blocking is better when you know exactly which sites you want to prevent.

What happens when you try to visit a blocked website

When you navigate to a blocked site in Safari, the page won't load. Instead, you'll see a message stating that the website is restricted and cannot be accessed. The message includes a note that the restriction is due to Screen Time settings.

If you have the Screen Time passcode, you can tap "Ask for More Time" or "Allow" (depending on your device) and enter your passcode to temporarily or permanently remove the block. Without the passcode, there's no way to bypass the restriction from Safari itself.

Blocked sites remain blocked across all Safari sessions until you manually remove them from your Screen Time settings. Restarting your device, clearing Safari history, or using private browsing mode will not remove the blocks.

Removing or changing website blocks

To remove a blocked website, return to Screen Time settings on the same device where you set the block. On Mac, open System Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy, enter your passcode, and find the website in your Never Allow list. Click the minus sign or delete button next to it.

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content. Tap "Never Allow" and swipe left on the website you want to remove, then tap Delete. The site will be unblocked immediately.

If you want to change a category restriction, toggle it off in the Web Content section. This removes the category block but does not affect individual sites you've added to your Never Allow list — you must remove those separately.

If you forget your Screen Time passcode

If you set up Screen Time with your Apple ID, you can use that ID to reset your passcode. On the Screen Time settings page, look for an option to reset your passcode using your Apple ID and follow the prompts.

If you don't remember your Apple ID password or didn't link your Screen Time to an Apple ID, you'll need to reset your device. On Mac, restart in Recovery Mode and use the Reset Password utility. On iPhone or iPad, you can erase the device and set it up again, though this removes all data unless you restore from a backup.

To avoid this situation, write down your Screen Time passcode and store it somewhere safe, separate from your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass my website blocks by using a different browser?

Website blocks set through Screen Time apply only to Safari. If you want to restrict websites across all browsers, you'll need to set up parental controls at the router level or use third-party filtering software. However, if you're blocking sites for a child, disabling other browsers in Screen Time's "Always Allowed" section can prevent them from switching apps.

Do website blocks work if someone uses a VPN?

A VPN can sometimes bypass website blocks because it changes your device's network connection. If you want to prevent VPN use, you can restrict VPN apps through Screen Time's app limits or disable VPN installation through Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Can I block a website on one device but not another?

Yes. Website blocks are device-specific and don't sync across your devices. You must set up blocks separately on each Mac, iPhone, or iPad where you want them active. If you want the same blocks on multiple devices, you'll need to add the sites to each device's Screen Time settings.

What if a website keeps appearing even though I blocked it?

The site may be using a different web address than the one you blocked. For example, blocking example.com won't block mail.example.com or app.example.com. Try blocking the base domain without "www" or "mail" prefixes. If category blocking is on, the site may not be correctly identified by Safari's filter — try adding it to your Never Allow list instead.

Can I set different website blocks for different users on the same Mac?

Screen Time settings are per user account on Mac. Each person who logs in can have their own Screen Time configuration with different website blocks. However, if you're trying to restrict a child's access, they should not have admin access to their own account, or they could change the settings themselves.