The simplest way to block a site on Safari

Safari does not have a built-in "block this site" button. Instead, you use Screen Time (on iPhone, iPad, or Mac) or a separate app to prevent access to specific websites. Screen Time is the easiest route if you already have it turned on — it takes about two minutes to add a site to the restricted list.

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap App Limits or Restricted. On Mac, open System Settings, click Screen Time, then choose Restrictions. You enter the website address you want to block, and Safari will stop loading it. Anyone trying to visit that site will see a message saying it is restricted.

If you do not want to use Screen Time, you can install a third-party app like 1Blocker, Adblock Plus, or Freedom that runs in the background and blocks sites you choose. These apps work differently than Screen Time — they filter traffic before it reaches Safari — but they do the same job.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time, built into Apple devices, blocks websites without needing another app, though it requires a passcode to change the restrictions.
  • On iPhone and iPad, blocked sites are stopped at the device level, so they cannot be accessed through any browser, not just Safari.
  • Third-party apps like 1Blocker or Freedom offer more detailed filtering options and work on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
  • Blocking a site is different from clearing your browsing history — the site is prevented from loading, not erased from your past visits.

Using Screen Time to block websites on iPhone and iPad

Open Settings and scroll down to Screen Time. Tap it, then tap your device name at the top (or the person's name if you are setting this up for a family member). Tap App Limits, then scroll to the bottom and tap Add Limit. Choose Web, then tap Add Website Limit.

Type the website address you want to block — for example, reddit.com or instagram.com. You can add multiple sites by tapping the plus sign. Set the time limit to 1 minute, then tap Add. When the time runs out, Safari will block access to that site and show a message saying the limit has been reached.

If you want to block a site completely rather than set a time limit, go back to Screen Time and tap Restrictions instead. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Web Content. Choose Limit Adult Websites, then tap Never Allow and add the site address. This method blocks the site entirely, not just after a time limit.

Blocking websites on Mac using Screen Time

Open System Settings and click Screen Time in the left sidebar. Click Restrictions, then Content & Privacy. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions if it is not already on. Click Web Content, then choose Limit Adult Websites.

Click the Never Allow section and add the website address you want to block. You can add as many sites as you need. Unlike the iPhone version, Mac Screen Time does not have an App Limits option for websites — you can only block sites completely or allow them.

To make these restrictions stick, you need to set a Screen Time passcode. Click the Screen Time name at the top of the window, then click Change Screen Time Passcode. This prevents anyone from removing the blocked sites without entering the code.

Using third-party blocking apps

Apps like 1Blocker, Freedom, and Cold Turkey offer more control than Screen Time. You can block sites on a schedule (for example, only during work hours), set different rules for different times of day, or block sites across all browsers at once. These apps cost money — usually between $5 and $40 per year — but they give you finer control.

1Blocker works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You install it, add the sites you want to block, and it filters them out before they reach Safari. Freedom does the same thing and also blocks apps, not just websites. Cold Turkey is Mac-only and is known for being hard to disable once you turn it on — useful if you need to force yourself to stay off a site.

To use any of these apps, read them from the App Store, open the app, and follow the setup steps to add your blocked sites. Most will ask for permission to filter your network traffic. After that, the sites you add will be blocked in Safari and any other browser on that device.

The difference between blocking and filtering

Blocking means the site cannot load at all — you see an error message or a restriction notice. Filtering means certain content on the site is hidden or removed. Safari's built-in tools do blocking, not filtering. If you block reddit.com, the entire site is inaccessible. If you wanted to filter out certain subreddits but still use Reddit, you would need a different tool.

Most people use blocking when they want to avoid a site entirely, and filtering when they want to use a site but hide specific parts of it. For housing and financial websites, blocking is usually what you need — you either want to prevent access to a distraction, or you do not.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked site

If Screen Time is blocking the site, Safari shows a message saying "This website is restricted" and offers a button to request access. If a passcode is set, the person cannot bypass the block without entering it. If no passcode is set, they can tap "Ask for Screen Time Passcode" and the device owner will get a notification.

With third-party apps, the message varies. 1Blocker shows a straightforward "This site is blocked" page. Freedom shows a motivational message. Cold Turkey shows a warning that the site is blocked and how long until it is unblocked. None of these messages can be bypassed without uninstalling the app or entering an admin password.

Blocking a site is not the same as private browsing

Private browsing (also called Incognito mode) hides your browsing history from your device, but it does not block sites. You can still visit any website in private mode. Blocking prevents the site from loading at all, whether you are in private mode or not.

If you want to prevent someone from visiting a site, blocking is the right tool. If you want to browse without saving your history, private mode is what you need. They solve different problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a site on Safari without using Screen Time?

Yes. Third-party apps like 1Blocker, Freedom, and Adblock Plus block sites without Screen Time. You read the app, add the site address, and it blocks the site in Safari and other browsers. These apps cost money but offer more detailed control than Screen Time.

What if I forget my Screen Time passcode?

On iPhone and iPad, you can reset it using your Apple ID. Go to Settings, Screen Time, and tap Change Screen Time Passcode. Choose "Forgot Passcode?" and sign in with your Apple ID. On Mac, the process is the same but through System Settings instead of the Settings app.

Does blocking a site on my iPhone block it on my Mac too?

No. Screen Time settings do not sync between devices. If you block a site on your iPhone, you have to add it separately to your Mac's Screen Time restrictions. Third-party apps may sync across devices if you sign into the same account, but you need to check the app's settings.

Can someone unblock a site if they know the passcode?

Yes. If someone has your Screen Time passcode, they can remove any blocked site. The passcode protects the restrictions, not the sites themselves. If you are trying to block a site from someone else, use a passcode only you know.

Will blocking a site stop it from sending me notifications?

No. Blocking a site in Safari stops you from visiting it, but it does not stop notifications from that website or app. If you want to stop notifications, go to Settings, Notifications, find the app or website name, and turn off notifications there.