The fastest way depends on what you're using

You can block websites on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook, but the method changes depending on your device and what you're trying to do. If you want to block sites for yourself as a reminder, your browser has built-in tools. If you're setting up parental controls for someone else, you'll use your device's system settings instead. The easiest route is usually your web browser, which takes about five minutes to set up.

Some blocks are easy to bypass if someone knows they're there — a determined person can restart their browser or switch to a different one. If you need a block that's harder to work around, you'll need to go deeper into your device's settings or use a third-party tool. This guide covers the straightforward methods that work for most situations.

Key Takeaways

  • Your web browser can block specific websites through extensions or built-in settings, and this takes effect immediately without restarting your device.
  • Windows and Mac both have parental control features in their system settings that can block sites across all browsers at once.
  • iPhone and Android have Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing settings that let you restrict access to apps and websites by category or by specific site.
  • Browser-based blocks are easier to set up but easier to bypass, while device-level blocks are harder to work around but require more setup.
  • If you share your device with others, a device-level block is more effective than a browser block because it applies no matter which browser someone uses.

Blocking websites in your web browser

The fastest method is to use a browser extension. Extensions like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or LeechBlock NG let you type in the websites you want to block, set times when they're blocked, and get a reminder message when you try to visit. Most of these are free and take about two minutes to install.

To add an extension in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari: go to your browser's extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Microsoft Edge Add-ons, or Safari Extensions), search for a blocking tool by name, click "Add to [Browser]", and confirm. Once it's installed, open the extension and type in the websites you want to block — use the full web address like "facebook.com" or "youtube.com". Most extensions let you set specific hours when the block is active, so you can allow access during certain times if you want.

If you don't want to install an extension, Chrome and Edge have a built-in parental control feature called Family Link that works on your own account. Open Chrome settings, go to "Manage your Google Account," click the "Family" tab, and select your own account. From there you can add sites to a blocked list. This method is slower to set up than an extension and less flexible, but it doesn't require a third-party tool.

Blocking websites on Windows

If you want a block that works across all browsers on your Windows computer, use the parental control settings. Open Settings, go to "Accounts," click "Family & other users," and select the account you want to manage. Click "App and game restrictions," then turn on "Restrict apps and games." Scroll down to "Web browsing" and click "Restrict inappropriate websites" — Windows will then block sites it categorizes as adult content, violence, or other restricted categories.

To block specific websites instead of categories, you'll need to go deeper. In the same Family settings, click "Content restrictions," then "Web browsing," and toggle on "Only allow these websites." This creates a whitelist — only the sites you add will be accessible, and everything else is blocked. Type in the websites you want to allow, one per line. This is more restrictive than a blacklist (where you block specific sites and allow everything else), so use it only if you want to limit browsing to a small set of approved sites.

These settings require a password to change, so someone can't simply turn them off. If you're the only person using the computer, you can set the restriction on your own account, but you'll need to remember your password to modify it later.

Blocking websites on Mac

Mac's parental controls are in System Settings under "General" > "Parental Controls." Click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then select the account you want to manage. Go to the "Content" tab and check "Restrict movies, music, books, and apps." Below that, you'll see an option to "Restrict websites" — click "Customize" to add specific sites to a blocked list.

Type the website address you want to block in the "Never allow" section. You can also use the "Limit adult websites" option, which blocks sites Mac categorizes as adult content without you having to list them individually. Like Windows, these settings are password-protected, so changes require your admin password.

If you're using a newer Mac with macOS Monterey or later, the parental controls interface has moved slightly. Open System Settings, click "Screen Time," select the account, and go to "Content & Privacy." From there, click "Content Restrictions," then "Web Content," and choose "Limit Adult Websites" or "Specific Websites Only" depending on whether you want to block categories or individual sites.

Blocking websites on iPhone and iPad

Use Screen Time, which is built into iOS. Open Settings, tap "Screen Time," and turn it on. Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and turn that on too. Then tap "Content Restrictions" > "Web Content." You'll see three options: "Unrestricted," "Limit Adult Websites," or "Specific Websites Only."

If you choose "Limit Adult Websites," iOS blocks sites it categorizes as adult content automatically. If you choose "Specific Websites Only," you can add individual sites to an allow list — only those sites will work, and everything else is blocked. To add sites, tap "Add a Website Under 'Always Allow'" and type the address.

To block specific sites without restricting everything else, you'll need to use the "Never Allow" section. Tap "Add a Website Under 'Never Allow'" and type each site you want to block. This creates a blacklist of blocked sites while allowing everything else. Screen Time requires a Screen Time passcode to change these settings, so set one if you want the block to stick.

Blocking websites on Android

Android doesn't have a built-in website blocker in the system settings the way iOS does, so you'll need to use either your browser's tools or a third-party app. In Chrome for Android, open the menu (three dots), go to "Settings" > "Site settings," and you can restrict access to things like location and camera, but there's no direct website blocking feature.

The easiest method is to install a third-party app like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or AppBlock from the Google Play Store. These apps let you block websites and set schedules for when the blocks are active. Download the app, open it, add the websites you want to block, and set any time restrictions you need. Most of these apps require you to set a PIN to change the settings, which prevents accidental or intentional removal of the block.

If you're setting up restrictions for someone else's Android phone, use Google Family Link. Open the Family Link app on your own device, select the person you're managing, go to "Controls on Google Play," and you can restrict app downloads and set screen time limits. Website blocking through Family Link is less granular than a dedicated blocking app, but it's built into Android and doesn't require a separate download.

Blocking websites on Chromebook

Chromebooks use Chrome OS, which has parental controls built in. If you're the owner of the Chromebook, open Settings, click "Users and accounts," then "Parental controls," and turn them on. You'll be asked to create a separate supervised account — this is the account where the restrictions apply. Sign out and sign back in with the supervised account.

Once you're in the supervised account, go back to Settings, click "Parental controls," and you'll see options to restrict websites. Click "Manage sites," then "Block specific sites," and add the websites you want to block. You can also choose "Allow only specific sites," which creates an allow list instead. These settings are managed from your owner account, so you'll need to sign back in as the owner to make changes.

If you're just trying to block sites for yourself without setting up full parental controls, use a Chrome extension instead — it's faster and doesn't require creating a separate account. The parental control method is better if you're managing a device for someone else and want the block to be harder to remove.

What to do if someone bypasses the block

Browser-based blocks are the easiest to bypass — someone can simply uninstall the extension or switch to a different browser. If you've blocked sites in Chrome but the person uses Firefox instead, the block won't apply. Device-level blocks (like Windows parental controls or iPhone Screen Time) are harder to work around because they apply across all browsers.

If you're trying to block sites for yourself and keep finding ways around it, a third-party app with a PIN protection is more effective than a browser extension. Apps like Freedom and Cold Turkey make it harder to disable the block on impulse because you have to enter a PIN, which creates a moment to reconsider.

If you're managing a device for someone else and they're bypassing the block, move to a device-level restriction rather than a browser-level one. On Windows, use Family settings instead of a Chrome extension. On iPhone, use Screen Time with a passcode. These are harder to work around without your password or PIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block websites on my work computer?

That depends on whether your work computer is managed by your employer. If it is, your IT department controls what you can and can't access, and you won't be able to change those settings yourself. If it's your personal computer that you use for work, you can block sites the same way you would on any personal device — through your browser or system settings.

Will blocking a website stop it from sending me notifications?

No. Blocking a website prevents you from visiting it in your browser, but it doesn't stop push notifications or emails from that site. If you want to stop notifications, go to your browser settings or phone settings and turn off notifications for that specific app or website.

What if I forget the password to my parental controls?

On Windows and Mac, you'll need to reset your account password through your operating system's recovery process. On iPhone, you can reset your Screen Time passcode by going to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode and following the recovery steps. On Android, the process depends on which app you used — most will have a "Forgot PIN" option that sends a recovery code to your email.

Can I block websites on my home WiFi router?

Yes, most routers have a parental control feature in their admin settings. Log into your router's settings (usually by typing your router's IP address into a browser), find the parental controls or content filtering section, and add websites to a blocked list. This blocks those sites for anyone on your WiFi network, regardless of what device they're using. The exact steps vary by router brand — check your router's manual or manufacturer website for specific instructions.

Do I need to restart my device after blocking a website?

No. Browser-based blocks take effect immediately. Device-level blocks (like Windows parental controls or iPhone Screen Time) also take effect right away without a restart. If a block doesn't seem to be working, try closing and reopening your browser, or restarting the app you're using.