The fastest way to block a website depends on what you're using the phone for

You can block websites on Android and iPhone in three main ways: through your phone's built-in parental controls, through your phone's DNS settings, or through a third-party app. The method you choose depends on whether you're blocking sites for yourself, for a child, or across your whole device. Built-in controls work fastest if you just need to lock down a few sites. DNS blocking works if you want to prevent access even when someone switches browsers. Third-party apps give you the most detailed reporting and scheduling options, but they take longer to set up.

The good news: you don't need to be technical to do any of these. Each method uses the phone's standard settings, and the steps are the same whether you're blocking one site or twenty.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can block websites through Screen Time settings without installing anything extra, and the block applies across all browsers on that phone.
  • Android users can block websites through Digital Wellbeing (built into most phones) or by changing DNS settings in Wi-Fi and mobile data separately.
  • If you're setting up blocks for a child, use parental controls rather than trying to block sites yourself — parental controls prevent the child from turning off the block.
  • Website blocks only work on the network or device where you set them up; a blocked site will still load if someone switches to a different Wi-Fi network or uses mobile data instead.
  • Third-party apps like OpenDNS or Bark add scheduling (block sites only during homework time) and activity reports, but require more setup than built-in controls.

How to block websites on iPhone using Screen Time

iPhone's Screen Time feature lets you block specific websites across Safari, Chrome, and any other browser on that phone. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. You'll need to create a four-digit Screen Time passcode if you haven't already — this prevents someone from turning off the block by going back into settings.

Once you've set the passcode, tap Content Restrictions, then tap Web Content. Choose Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites Only. If you choose Limit Adult Websites, tap the Restricted section at the bottom and add specific sites you want to block by typing the web address. If you choose Allowed Websites Only, you're creating a whitelist — only the sites you add will load, and everything else is blocked.

The block takes effect immediately and applies no matter which browser the person uses. If you need to unblock a site later, go back to the same screen, find it in the Restricted list, and swipe left to delete it.

How to block websites on Android using Digital Wellbeing

Most Android phones come with Digital Wellbeing built in. Open Settings, search for Digital Wellbeing, and tap it. You'll see options for app limits and bedtime mode. Tap on your user profile at the top, then look for an option called App Timers or Focus Mode (the exact name varies by phone maker). Some phones call this feature Focus Mode; others call it App Timers.

The catch: Digital Wellbeing blocks apps, not websites. If you want to block a website in Chrome or Firefox, you'll need to use a different method. The easiest is to change your phone's DNS settings, which blocks websites across all browsers and apps at once.

To change DNS on Android, go to Settings, tap Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi. Long-press the Wi-Fi network you're connected to and tap Modify. Scroll down to Advanced Options and tap DNS. Change it from Automatic to Manual, then delete the existing DNS addresses and enter new ones. For blocking, use Cloudflare's Family DNS: 1.1.1.3 for IPv4 and 2606:4700:4700::1113 for IPv6. This blocks adult sites and malware across your whole phone on that Wi-Fi network. If you want to block specific sites instead, use OpenDNS (208.67.222.123) and set up your account on their website to add sites to your blocklist.

How to block websites for a child using parental controls

If you're setting up blocks for a child, use your phone's parental control feature rather than Screen Time or Digital Wellbeing. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Family Sharing. Add your child's account, set up a Screen Time passcode that only you know, and then set Content & Privacy Restrictions as described above. Your child won't be able to turn off the restrictions without your passcode.

On Android, the process depends on your phone maker. Samsung phones have Kids Home, which you can set up in Settings under Parental Controls. Google Pixel phones use Family Link, which you download as a separate app. Both let you set screen time limits, block apps, and restrict websites. The key difference from regular blocking: parental controls require a parent PIN to disable, so a child can't simply turn off the block by going into settings.

Parental controls also let you see what your child is trying to access. When a blocked site is attempted, you get a notification, and your child sees a message that the site is blocked by a parent.

Using DNS blocking to stop websites across all apps

DNS blocking works by intercepting the request your phone makes when it tries to reach a website, before the browser even loads. This means the block works in every app on your phone, not just browsers. It's the most thorough method, but it requires a bit more setup.

The easiest DNS service for blocking is Cloudflare's Family DNS, which blocks adult sites and malware automatically. Go to Settings, tap Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi. Long-press your network and tap Modify. Scroll to Advanced Options, tap DNS, and change it to Manual. Delete the existing addresses and enter 1.1.1.3 (for regular internet) or 1.1.1.4 (for stricter blocking). On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, tap the info icon next to your network, scroll to DNS, and tap Configure DNS. Choose Manual and enter the same addresses.

If you want to block specific websites instead of categories, use OpenDNS. Sign up for a free account on their website, note your account number, then enter their DNS addresses (208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123) in your phone's DNS settings. Log into your OpenDNS account and add the websites you want to block to your blocklist. The block takes effect within a few minutes.

One important note: DNS blocking only works on the network where you set it up. If someone switches to a different Wi-Fi network or uses mobile data, the block won't apply. To block sites across all networks, use a third-party app instead.

Third-party apps that block websites with scheduling and reports

If you need more control — like blocking sites only during certain hours, or getting reports on what sites someone tried to visit — third-party apps add those features. Bark, OpenDNS Home, and Freedom are the most common options. These apps require installation and account setup, but they let you schedule blocks (for example, block social media from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.), see activity logs, and manage multiple devices from one dashboard.

Bark is designed for parents and shows you what your child is doing across apps and websites. OpenDNS Home works on any device and lets you create custom block lists and schedules. Freedom is designed for adults trying to reduce their own distractions and lets you block sites on a schedule you set.

All three require you to download the app, create an account, and usually pay a monthly fee (though many offer free trials). They work across Wi-Fi and mobile data, which the built-in methods don't do. If you only need to block a handful of sites and don't need reports, the built-in methods are faster. If you need scheduling or activity logs, a third-party app is worth the setup time.

What to do if someone bypasses the block

Website blocks have limits. Someone can bypass most blocks by switching to a different Wi-Fi network, using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, or using a VPN app. If you're trying to block sites for a child, the most effective approach is to combine a block with a conversation about why the block is there, rather than relying on the block alone.

If you're using parental controls and notice someone trying to access blocked sites repeatedly, check your phone's notification log to see which sites are being attempted. Most parental control apps send you a notification each time a block is triggered. If someone is using a VPN to bypass the block, you can block VPN apps themselves through parental controls, though this prevents legitimate uses like privacy on public Wi-Fi.

For the strongest protection, combine DNS blocking (which blocks across all apps) with parental controls (which prevent the child from disabling the block) and a conversation about internet safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a website on just one app, like Chrome, without blocking it in Safari?

Not directly. iPhone's Screen Time blocks websites across all browsers at once. On Android, you'd need to use the app's own settings — Chrome has a feature to block sites, but it's not as straightforward as the phone-level blocks. The easiest approach is to use DNS blocking, which blocks the site everywhere, or to use parental controls if you're managing a child's device.

Will a blocked website still load if I use a VPN?

It depends on the block method. DNS blocks and parental controls can be bypassed with a VPN because the VPN changes how your phone connects to the internet. Built-in app-level blocks like Screen Time on iPhone are harder to bypass. If you're trying to enforce blocks on a child's device, you can block VPN apps through parental controls, though this also prevents legitimate uses.

What happens if I forget my Screen Time passcode on iPhone?

You'll need to reset your iPhone or use your Apple ID to recover it. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Forgot Passcode. You can unlock it with your Apple ID password. This is why it's important to use a passcode you'll remember if you're the one setting the block.

Can I block websites on mobile data, or only on Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi blocks work only on that specific network. Mobile data blocks depend on the method — DNS changes on Wi-Fi don't affect mobile data. To block sites across both Wi-Fi and mobile data, use parental controls (iPhone and Android) or a third-party app. Built-in DNS blocking only works on the network where you set it up.

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

No. Blocks through Screen Time, Digital Wellbeing, and DNS changes take effect immediately. If a site doesn't seem blocked right away, try closing and reopening your browser, or wait a few minutes for the DNS change to propagate. If it still loads, check that you entered the DNS addresses correctly in your settings.