The main ways to block websites on Android

You can block websites on Android through your phone's built-in settings, a third-party app, or your network router. The method you choose depends on whether you want to block sites on your device only, across your whole home network, or for a specific user account. Built-in options like Google Family Link work best if you're managing a child's device. Third-party apps give you more control over which sites to block and when. Router-level blocking affects every device that connects to your WiFi, so it's useful if you want to restrict access for everyone in your household.

None of these methods are foolproof — a determined user can often find workarounds — but they all make it harder to reach blocked sites by accident or on impulse. The trade-off is that some methods require setup time, and some limit what you can do on your own device.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Family Link lets you block specific websites and apps on a child's Android device from your own phone, with real-time reporting of what they visit.
  • Third-party apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, and OpenDNS give you more granular control and work on your own device without needing a separate account.
  • Router-level blocking through your WiFi settings or a DNS service affects all devices on your network but requires access to your router's admin panel.
  • DNS filtering services like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families block categories of sites (adult content, gambling, malware) across your whole network without an app.
  • Blocking methods can be circumvented by switching to mobile data, using a VPN, or changing DNS settings, so they work best as friction rather than absolute barriers.

Using Google Family Link to block websites

Google Family Link is built into Android and designed for parents managing a child's device. You set it up on your own phone, then link it to the child's account. Once linked, you can block specific apps and websites from your phone without touching theirs. You'll need a Google account for both devices and the child's device must run Android 7.0 or newer.

To set up Family Link, download the app on your phone, tap "Create a family group," add the child's Google account, and follow the prompts to link their device. Once linked, open Family Link on your phone, select the child's account, tap "Controls on Google Play," then "Manage all apps." From there you can block individual apps. For websites, tap "Settings" and look for "Manage sites" or use the app blocking feature to prevent access to browsers themselves, though this is blunt — it blocks all browsing, not just specific sites.

Family Link also shows you screen time, app usage, and location (if enabled). The child can see that Family Link is active on their device, and they cannot remove it without your PIN. If you want to block specific websites rather than entire browsers, you'll need a different method alongside Family Link.

Third-party apps for blocking websites

Freedom is a cross-platform blocker that works on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. You install it on your device, create an account, and set up "blocklists" — either pre-made categories (social media, news, adult content) or custom URLs you type in. You can schedule blocks to run at certain times or trigger them manually. Freedom costs about $7 per month or $40 per year for one device, or $120 per year for all your devices.

Cold Turkey is a Windows and Mac app primarily, but Cold Turkey Blocker has an Android version that works similarly to Freedom. You set up blocks, choose when they run, and can lock yourself out of changing the settings once a block is active. It costs about $39 one-time for the basic version.

OpenDNS Home is free and works by changing your device's DNS settings to filter traffic. You create an account on the OpenDNS website, add your device, and choose which categories of sites to block (adult, gambling, social media, etc.). The app runs in the background and intercepts requests to blocked sites. Because it works at the DNS level, it's harder to bypass than an app-level blocker, but it requires you to trust OpenDNS with your browsing data.

All three of these apps work on your own device without needing a separate account to manage. They're useful if you want to block sites for yourself — to reduce distractions during work, for example — rather than managing someone else's access.

Blocking websites through your router

Your WiFi router has an admin panel where you can block websites for all devices connected to your network. This method affects phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs on your WiFi, but not devices using mobile data. To access your router, open a browser on any device connected to your WiFi and type your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — into the address bar. You'll be prompted to log in with a username and password, often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's default password (check the sticker on the router itself).

Once logged in, look for a section called "Parental Controls," "Content Filtering," "Access Control," or "Firewall." The exact name and location vary by router brand and model. Most routers let you block sites by URL or by category. Some let you set schedules so certain sites are blocked only at certain times. A few routers let you create separate access profiles for different devices or users.

Router-level blocking is useful because it applies to all devices and doesn't require installing anything on individual phones. The downside is that it affects everyone on your network, and a tech-savvy user can bypass it by switching to mobile data or changing their device's DNS settings.

Using DNS filtering services

Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families is a free DNS service that blocks malware and adult content at the network level. You don't install an app — instead, you change your device's DNS settings to point to Cloudflare's servers instead of your internet provider's. On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced > Private DNS and enter "1dot1dot1dot1-families.cloudflare-dns.com" (or the IP address 1.1.1.3). Once set, any request to a blocked site returns an error page instead of loading the site.

The advantage of DNS filtering is that it works across all apps on your device, not just browsers, and it's free. The disadvantage is that it only blocks broad categories — you can't block a specific website unless Cloudflare already categorizes it as adult or malware. Also, a user can change the DNS setting back if they know how.

Quad9 (9.9.9.9) and NextDNS are similar services. Quad9 is free and blocks malware and phishing. NextDNS is free for up to 300,000 queries per month and offers more granular controls, including the ability to block specific domains and set up multiple profiles for different devices.

Limitations and workarounds

No website blocking method is completely secure against someone determined to bypass it. A user on mobile data can ignore WiFi-level blocks entirely. Someone who knows how to change DNS settings can bypass DNS filtering. Apps can be uninstalled or disabled if the device isn't locked down. VPNs encrypt traffic and hide what sites you're visiting, so they can circumvent most blocking methods.

If you're trying to block sites for yourself, these limitations matter less — the goal is usually to add friction, not to create an unbreakable barrier. If you're managing a child's device, combining methods (Family Link plus app-level blocking plus router-level blocking) makes it harder to bypass, but no combination is foolproof. The most effective approach is pairing technical blocks with open conversation about why certain sites are off-limits.

Also keep in mind that blocking methods can interfere with legitimate uses. A DNS filter that blocks all adult content might also block health information sites, sex education resources, or news articles. Test any blocking method on your own device first to see what it actually blocks before applying it to someone else's.

Choosing the right blocking method for your situation

If you're managing a child's Android device, start with Google Family Link because it's built in, free, and designed for this purpose. If you want to block specific websites rather than entire categories, add a third-party app like Freedom or OpenDNS on top of Family Link.

If you want to block sites across your whole home network, set up content filtering in your router's admin panel. This is the easiest way to affect all devices at once, but it requires you to log into your router and navigate its settings, which varies by brand.

If you want to block sites on your own device to reduce distractions, use Freedom, Cold Turkey, or a DNS service like NextDNS. These are straightforward to set up and don't require managing anyone else's access.

If you want a free, simple option that works across your network, use Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families or Quad9 by changing your DNS settings. These block broad categories without an app, but they're less flexible than paid services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass website blocks by using a VPN?

Yes. A VPN encrypts your traffic and routes it through a different server, so blocking methods that work at the network or DNS level can't see which sites you're visiting. App-level blockers on your device can still block the VPN app itself if they're configured to do so, but if the VPN is already installed, it can bypass most blocks. This is why combining methods (like Family Link plus router blocks) is more effective than relying on one.

Will blocking websites slow down my internet?

App-level blockers and DNS filtering add minimal overhead — usually unnoticeable. Router-level blocking can be slightly slower if your router has to process a lot of filtering rules, but modern routers handle this easily. The slowdown, if any, is typically less than a millisecond per request.

Can I block websites only during certain hours?

Yes, if you use a third-party app like Freedom or Cold Turkey, or if your router's parental controls support scheduling. Google Family Link does not have a time-based blocking feature for websites, only for app usage. DNS services like NextDNS let you create schedules, but this requires a paid account.

What happens if I forget my router's admin password?

You can reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button (usually a small hole on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings, including WiFi password and any blocks you set up, so you'll need to reconfigure everything. Check your router's manual for the exact reset procedure, as it varies by model.

Do I need to install an app to block websites on Android?

Not necessarily. You can block sites through Google Family Link (which is built in), your router's admin panel (no app needed), or by changing your DNS settings (no app needed). Third-party apps like Freedom and OpenDNS require installation, but they offer more control. The method that requires no app depends on what you're trying to block and who you're blocking it for.