The simplest way to block sites on iPhone is through Screen Time, Apple's built-in parental control tool

You can block specific websites without installing anything extra. Screen Time lets you restrict access to certain domains directly in Settings, and it works across Safari, Chrome, and most other browsers on your device. The block applies to anyone using that iPhone — if you set it up on your own phone, you're blocking sites for yourself; if you set it up on someone else's phone, you're blocking sites for them.

The trade-off is that Screen Time blocks are not unbreakable. Someone with physical access to your iPhone can turn off Screen Time if they know the passcode, or they can use a different browser or app that Screen Time doesn't control. If you need something stronger — for example, to protect a child's device — you'll need a third-party app or your WiFi router's built-in controls.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is built into every iPhone and can block specific websites through Settings without downloading anything.
  • The block works in Safari and most other browsers, but someone with your iPhone's passcode can turn Screen Time off.
  • If you need stronger protection, your WiFi router or a third-party app like Bark or Net Nanny can block sites at a deeper level.
  • Blocking sites on your own phone is different from blocking sites on someone else's phone, and the setup steps are the same for both.

How to block sites using Screen Time

Open Settings, then tap Screen Time. If this is your first time using Screen Time, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose whether this is your device or a child's device. Then tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and toggle it on.

Next, tap "Content Restrictions," then "Web Content." You'll see three options: Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites Only. Choose "Limit Adult Websites" if you want to block adult content automatically, or choose "Allowed Websites Only" if you want to manually list every site you do allow (this is more restrictive). If you choose either of these, you can then tap "Add a Website Under 'Always Allow'" or "Add a Website Under 'Never Allow'" to add specific sites to your list.

To add a site to the "Never Allow" list, tap the plus sign, type the domain name (for example, reddit.com or instagram.com), and tap "Add." The site will be blocked the next time someone tries to visit it. To remove a site from the list later, swipe left on it and tap Delete.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked site

When a blocked site is accessed, the iPhone shows a message saying the site is restricted and offers a button to "Ask for Screen Time Passcode." If the person trying to visit the site enters the correct passcode, they can bypass the block for that one visit. If they don't know the passcode, they cannot access the site.

This is why Screen Time is not a permanent lock. If you're setting this up on your own phone to block distracting sites, you'll need to remember that you can override your own blocks. If you're setting this up on a child's phone, the child can ask you for the passcode and you have to decide whether to allow it.

Using your WiFi router to block sites instead

If you want a block that works across all devices on your home network — not just one iPhone — you can set it up in your WiFi router's settings. Most routers have a parental control or content filtering feature built in. You log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a browser), find the parental controls section, and add domains to a blocklist.

The advantage is that this blocks the site for everyone on your WiFi, including phones, tablets, and computers. The disadvantage is that someone can bypass it by using mobile data instead of WiFi, or by connecting to a different network. The exact steps vary by router brand — check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions specific to your model.

Third-party apps for stronger blocking

Apps like Bark, Net Nanny, and Screentime operate at a deeper level than Screen Time and are harder to bypass. These apps can block sites, monitor activity, and send alerts to a parent's phone. They typically cost money (usually $10 to $20 per month) and require you to install the app on the device you want to protect.

The trade-off is that these apps use more battery power and can slow down your phone slightly. They're most useful if you're trying to protect a child's device and you need something that can't be easily turned off. If you're just trying to block distracting sites on your own phone, Screen Time is usually enough.

Why a site might not stay blocked

If you've blocked a site but it still appears sometimes, the most common reason is that you blocked the main domain but not all the subdomains. For example, if you block reddit.com but not old.reddit.com or m.reddit.com, someone can still reach Reddit through the other versions. Add each version separately to your "Never Allow" list.

Another reason is that some apps have their own built-in browsers and don't use Safari or Chrome. Screen Time blocks websites in Safari and most standard browsers, but an app like Twitter or TikTok has its own internal web viewer that Screen Time may not control. If you need to block an app entirely, you can do that through Screen Time too — go to "App Limits" instead of "Web Content."

Setting up Screen Time for someone else's iPhone

If you're setting up blocks on a child's or family member's phone, the process is the same, but you'll choose "This is a child's device" when you first turn on Screen Time. You'll be asked to create a Screen Time passcode — this is different from the iPhone's lock screen passcode, and only you should know it. Without this passcode, the other person cannot turn off Screen Time or change the restrictions.

If you forget the Screen Time passcode, you'll need to erase the device and set it up again. There's no way to recover a forgotten Screen Time passcode, so write it down somewhere safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone on my WiFi bypass a block I set up in my router?

Yes, if they use mobile data instead of WiFi. They can also connect to a different WiFi network or use a VPN app, which routes their traffic through a different server. Router-level blocks only work on your home network.

If I block a site in Screen Time, can the person use a VPN to get around it?

Most VPNs will bypass Screen Time blocks because they encrypt the traffic before it reaches Apple's filtering system. If you need to prevent VPN use, you can block VPN apps themselves through Screen Time's app restrictions, but this only works if the VPN isn't already installed.

Does blocking a site in Screen Time also block it in apps?

No. Screen Time's web content filter blocks websites in Safari and browsers, but apps like Instagram or YouTube have their own built-in web viewers that Screen Time doesn't control. To block an app, use Screen Time's "App Limits" feature instead.

What's the difference between "Limit Adult Websites" and "Allowed Websites Only"?

"Limit Adult Websites" blocks sites that Apple categorizes as adult content but allows everything else. "Allowed Websites Only" blocks everything except the sites you manually add to your allow list — it's much more restrictive and useful if you want to limit access to a small set of safe sites.

If I set up Screen Time on my own phone, can I still visit blocked sites?

Yes, by entering your Screen Time passcode when the block appears. You can also turn off Screen Time entirely in Settings if you know your passcode. Screen Time is designed to help you make better choices, not to lock you out permanently.