The fastest way to block an app on your iPhone

You can block an app on your iPhone in two ways: prevent it from opening at all using Screen Time, or hide it from your home screen so you have to search for it. Screen Time is the stronger option — it stops the app from running and requires a passcode to override. Hiding an app only removes it from view, so someone who knows to search for it can still find it.

Most people use Screen Time when they want to restrict apps for a child or limit their own access to distracting apps. It takes about two minutes to set up and works across all your devices if you use the same Apple ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time lets you block apps entirely and requires a passcode to open them, making it the strongest restriction option.
  • You can set different restrictions for different times of day, or block an app completely until you manually allow it again.
  • Hiding an app removes it from your home screen but does not prevent it from running if someone searches for it by name.
  • If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you will need to reset your iPhone or use your Apple ID to recover it.
  • Restrictions you set in Screen Time sync across all your devices when you use the same Apple ID.

How to block an app using Screen Time

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If this is your first time using Screen Time, tap Continue and choose whether this is your iPhone or a child's device. If you already use Screen Time, skip to the next step.

Tap App Limits, then tap Add Limit. You will see a list of app categories (Social Networking, Games, Entertainment) and individual apps. Tap the apps or categories you want to restrict. When you finish selecting, tap Add at the top right. Set the time limit to 1 minute — this creates a hard block that stops the app from opening. Tap Add again to confirm.

You will be asked to set a Screen Time passcode. This is a four-digit code that prevents anyone from removing the restriction without your permission. Write it down somewhere safe; if you lose it, recovering access is difficult. Tap Save to finish.

Once the limit is set, the app will not open. Anyone who tries to open it will see a message saying "Time Limit Reached" and will need your passcode to override it. You can change or remove the limit anytime by going back to Screen Time, tapping App Limits, and selecting the app.

How to hide an app without blocking it

If you only want to remove an app from your home screen — not block it entirely — you can hide it instead. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap Remove App, then tap Remove from Home Screen. The app stays on your iPhone and will still run if you search for it, but it will not appear when you scroll through your home screen.

To find a hidden app later, swipe down from the top of your home screen to open search, type the app name, and tap it to open. You can also go to the App Library (the last screen when you swipe right past all your home screens) and find the app there.

Hiding is useful if you want to reduce clutter or make an app less visible to someone browsing your phone, but it does not prevent the app from running. If you need actual blocking — to stop an app from opening at all — use Screen Time instead.

Blocking apps for a child's device

If you are setting up Screen Time on a child's iPhone, the process is slightly different. On your own iPhone, open Settings and tap Screen Time. Tap Family Sharing, then tap Add a Child or Family Member. Follow the prompts to add the child's Apple ID and device.

Once the child is added, you can manage their restrictions from your own phone. Go back to Screen Time, select the child's name, and tap App Limits to set restrictions. You can block specific apps, set daily time limits, or prevent access during certain hours (like bedtime). The child will see the restrictions on their device and cannot remove them without your passcode.

You can also set Downtime, which disables all apps except phone calls and messages during a set window. This is useful for enforcing screen-free time at night or during homework. Tap Downtime, toggle it on, and set the hours you want it active.

What happens when an app hits its time limit

When an app reaches its time limit, the icon will show a clock symbol and the app will not open. The person trying to open it will see a screen saying "Time Limit Reached" with two options: Ask for More Time or Enter Passcode.

If they tap Ask for More Time, a notification goes to the account holder (usually a parent) asking permission to extend the limit. The account holder can approve or deny the request from their own device. If they tap Enter Passcode, they need your Screen Time passcode to override the block.

You can manually grant more time without waiting for a request. Go to Screen Time, tap the app, and adjust the limit upward. You can also turn off the limit entirely if you want to allow the app again.

Recovering a forgotten Screen Time passcode

If you set a Screen Time passcode and forget it, you have two options. The first is to use your Apple ID: go to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap Change Screen Time Passcode, and tap Forgot Passcode. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID and password. If you can sign in, you can set a new passcode.

If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you will need to reset your iPhone. This erases all data and settings, so use this only as a last resort. Go to Settings, tap General, tap Reset, and tap Erase All Content and Settings. You will need to set up your iPhone again from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block an app on my own iPhone without a passcode?

No. Screen Time requires a passcode to prevent you from removing the restriction yourself. If you want to block an app without a passcode, you can only hide it from your home screen, which does not actually prevent it from running.

Will blocking an app stop it from sending notifications?

No. Blocking an app with Screen Time stops it from opening, but it can still send notifications. To stop notifications, go to Settings, tap Notifications, find the app, and toggle off Allow Notifications.

Can someone else remove an app block I set?

Only if they know your Screen Time passcode. Without it, they cannot remove the restriction or override the time limit. If you share your device with someone, do not give them your passcode.

Does blocking an app delete it from my iPhone?

No. Blocking an app keeps it installed on your device but prevents it from opening. The app still takes up storage space. If you want to remove it completely, you need to delete it separately.

What if I block an app and then want to unblock it?

Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap App Limits, find the app, and tap Edit. You can lower the time limit back to normal, set it to unlimited, or delete the limit entirely. You will need your Screen Time passcode to make changes.