The simplest way to block a site on your phone

The fastest method depends on what you're using. On iPhone, you can block a website through Screen Time in Settings without installing anything extra. On Android, you'll need to use your phone's built-in parental controls or install a free app — Android doesn't have a single blocking feature the way iPhone does.

Both methods work by preventing your browser from loading the site's web address. When you try to visit a blocked site, you'll see a message saying it's restricted instead of the page loading. The block stays in place until you remove it, even if you close and reopen your browser.

The trade-off is straightforward: the easier the method, the easier it is to bypass. A basic browser block takes seconds to remove if you know where to look. A system-level block with a PIN code is much harder to get around, but takes a few more steps to set up.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can block websites through Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions without downloading anything.
  • Android users need to turn on parental controls in Google Play or use a third-party app, since Android has no built-in website blocker.
  • A PIN code on your block makes it much harder to remove, but you'll need to remember the PIN if you want to unblock the site later.
  • Browser-level blocks (blocking within Chrome or Safari) are easier to set up but easier to bypass than system-level blocks.
  • Some blocks only work on WiFi, while others work everywhere — check your settings to know which one you've turned on.

Blocking a site on iPhone through Screen Time

Open Settings, then tap Screen Time. If you haven't used Screen Time before, tap Turn On Screen Time and choose whether this is your device or a child's device. If it's your own device, you'll set a Screen Time passcode — write this down somewhere safe, because you'll need it to change these settings later.

Once Screen Time is on, go back to the Screen Time menu and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. Toggle the switch to turn it on. Now tap Content Restrictions, then scroll down and tap Web Content. Choose Limit Adult Websites. This opens a section called "Never Allow" — tap the plus sign and type in the web address of the site you want to block.

Type the full address the way it appears in your browser — for example, example.com or www.example.com. iPhone will block both versions, so you only need to enter it once. When you're done, tap Add. The site is now blocked on Safari and in any app that uses Safari's web browser.

To remove a blocked site later, go back to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Never Allow, find the site in the list, and swipe left on it, then tap Delete. You'll need your Screen Time passcode to make this change.

Blocking a site on Android through parental controls

Android's built-in blocking lives in Google Play, not in a general settings menu. Open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Family, then Parental Controls. Toggle the switch to turn parental controls on.

You'll be asked to create a PIN — this is separate from your phone's unlock code and is used only for parental controls. Write it down. Once the PIN is set, go back to the Parental Controls menu and tap Manage websites. Tap the plus sign and enter the web address you want to block. This blocks the site in Chrome and most other browsers on your phone.

The block applies to the entire phone, not just one app. If you try to visit the blocked site in any browser, you'll see a message saying it's restricted. To unblock a site, go back to Manage websites, find it in the list, tap it, and tap Remove. You'll need to enter your parental control PIN.

One important note: this method only blocks sites in your phone's browsers. It does not block sites accessed through apps — for example, if an app has its own built-in web browser, parental controls won't block sites within that app.

Blocking a site within your browser app

If you don't want to use system-level controls, you can block a site directly in Chrome or Safari. This is faster to set up but much easier to undo.

In Chrome on either phone, open the site you want to block, tap the three-dot menu in the bottom right, and tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Site settings, then Block. Chrome will now refuse to load that site when you try to visit it. To unblock it, go back to Site settings, find the site in your blocked list, and tap Clear.

In Safari on iPhone, there is no built-in browser-level block — you must use Screen Time (described above) to block sites system-wide. Safari does not offer a per-site block within the app itself.

Browser blocks are useful if you're trying to break a habit — the block creates a small friction point that reminds you not to visit. But because the block is stored only in that browser, switching to a different browser or clearing your browser data will remove it.

Using a third-party app to block sites

If you want more control than your phone's built-in tools offer, you can read a free blocking app. Common options include Freedom, Cold Turkey, and AppBlock on Android, and 1Focus or Freedom on iPhone.

These apps let you block sites on a schedule (for example, only during work hours), block multiple sites at once, and set a PIN that's harder to guess than your phone's unlock code. Most offer a free version with basic blocking and a paid version with more features like scheduling and detailed reports.

The trade-off is that you're installing an extra app and giving it permission to monitor your browser activity. Read the app's privacy policy before installing — some apps collect data about which sites you visit. Stick to apps from well-known companies or those with many recent reviews from real users.

Why a site might not stay blocked

If you've blocked a site but it still loads sometimes, check a few things. First, make sure you entered the address correctly — example.com and www.example.com are technically different, and some blocks only catch one version. Try entering both.

Second, check whether your block is set to work everywhere or only on WiFi. Some parental control systems have a toggle for this. If it's set to WiFi-only, the site will load on mobile data. Go back to your block settings and make sure it covers all connections.

Third, if you're using a browser-level block in Chrome or Safari, switching to a different browser will bypass it. A system-level block (through Screen Time or parental controls) works across all browsers, so it's much harder to work around.

Removing a block when you've forgotten the PIN

If you set a PIN for Screen Time or parental controls and can't remember it, you have limited options. On iPhone, you can reset Screen Time through your Apple ID — go to Settings > Screen Time, tap "Forgot passcode?", and follow the prompts to verify your identity. You'll need access to the email address or phone number linked to your Apple ID.

On Android, resetting a parental control PIN is harder. Google Play does not offer a "forgot PIN" option. Your best option is to factory reset your phone, which erases everything and returns it to factory settings. Before doing this, back up your photos, contacts, and other data to Google Drive or another cloud service.

This is why writing down your PIN somewhere safe — a notebook, a password manager, or a trusted person — is important. If you're setting up a block for someone else's phone, make sure they know where the PIN is stored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a site on just one app, like Instagram or TikTok?

No — website blocks work at the browser level or system level, not within individual apps. If you want to prevent someone from using a specific app, you can restrict the app itself through parental controls instead. On iPhone, go to Screen Time > App Limits and set a time limit for the app. On Android, use parental controls to block the app from opening.

Will blocking a site stop me from accessing it on WiFi?

It depends on how you set it up. System-level blocks (Screen Time on iPhone, parental controls on Android) block the site everywhere — WiFi and mobile data. Browser-level blocks in Chrome work everywhere too. But some third-party apps have a setting to block only on mobile data, not WiFi. Check your block's settings to see which one you've turned on.

Can someone else remove a block I've set on my phone?

Not if you've set a PIN. Without the PIN, they cannot change Screen Time settings on iPhone or parental control settings on Android. If you haven't set a PIN, anyone with access to your phone can remove the block in a few seconds. Always use a PIN if you're trying to enforce a block on someone else's device.

What's the difference between blocking a site and blocking an app?

Blocking a site prevents your browser from loading a web address. Blocking an app prevents the app itself from opening. You can block a website in Chrome but still access it through the app if the app has its own browser — for example, blocking Facebook.com in Chrome won't stop you from using the Facebook app. To block both, you need to block the app separately.

If I block a site, can I still see it in my search results?

Yes. Blocking a site only prevents it from loading when you try to visit it. Search results will still show the site — you just won't be able to click through to it. If you want to hide it from search results too, you'll need to use a search engine's filtering tools or a third-party app designed for that purpose.