The simplest way to block websites on iPhone

You can block websites on iPhone using the built-in Screen Time feature, which lets you restrict access to specific sites across Safari and apps. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions, and add websites to the "Limit Adult Websites" list or create a custom restricted list. The blocked site will not load when you or anyone using the device tries to visit it.

This method works because Screen Time is built into iOS itself — it does not require a separate app or subscription. The restriction applies whether someone uses Safari, Chrome, or any other browser on that device. If you set a Screen Time passcode, the person trying to visit the blocked site cannot bypass the restriction without that code.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time in Settings is the built-in tool for blocking websites; it works across all browsers and requires no additional apps.
  • You can block specific websites by adding them to a custom restricted list, or use the automatic "Limit Adult Websites" filter for broad categories.
  • A Screen Time passcode prevents someone from removing blocks or changing restrictions without your permission.
  • Blocking works only on the device itself — if someone connects to a different WiFi network or uses a different device, they can still reach the site.
  • DNS filtering through your router or a VPN can block sites across all devices on your network, but requires setup outside the iPhone.

Setting up website blocks in Screen Time

Start by opening Settings on the iPhone and scrolling down to Screen Time. Tap it, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn the toggle on. You will be asked to create a Screen Time passcode — this is a four-digit code that prevents anyone from turning off the restrictions or changing them without your permission. Write this code down somewhere safe, because Apple cannot recover it if you forget it.

Once Content & Privacy Restrictions is on, scroll down and tap Restricted Websites. You will see two options: "Limit Adult Websites" (which automatically blocks known adult content sites) and "Add Website" (which lets you block any specific site). Tap "Add Website" and type the full web address of the site you want to block — for example, example.com. You can add as many sites as you need. Each blocked site will show a message saying it is restricted when someone tries to visit it.

Blocking websites across all apps and browsers

Screen Time blocks websites in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and most other browsers because the restriction happens at the operating system level, not within a single app. When a browser tries to load a blocked website, iOS stops it before the page appears. This means someone cannot bypass the block by switching browsers or using an incognito tab.

However, Screen Time blocks only websites — it does not block apps themselves. If a social media app or news app has its own built-in browser, content within that app may not be blocked by Screen Time. For example, a link inside the Instagram app might load a website that Screen Time would normally block in Safari. If you need to restrict an entire app, you can do that separately in Screen Time by tapping App Limits or Always Allowed.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked site

When a blocked website is accessed, the browser shows a message saying the site is restricted and offers a button to "Ask for Permission" or "Enter Screen Time Passcode." If you set a passcode, the person viewing the message cannot proceed without entering it. If no passcode is set, they can tap through and view the site anyway — which is why the passcode is important if you are trying to enforce the block.

The blocked site does not load at all. No content appears, no ads load, and no tracking happens. From a technical standpoint, the device refuses the connection before it reaches the website's server. This is different from parental control apps that load the site and then filter what you see — Screen Time stops the connection entirely.

Blocking websites on your home WiFi network

If you want to block websites across all devices on your home network — not just one iPhone — you can set up blocking at the router level. This is called DNS filtering. You log into your router's settings (usually by typing your router's IP address into a browser) and configure it to block certain domains. Any device connected to that WiFi will be blocked from reaching those sites, regardless of which browser or app they use.

Most modern routers have a built-in parental controls or content filtering section in their settings. The exact steps depend on your router brand — common ones include Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, and Eero. You can also use a third-party DNS service like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families or OpenDNS, which blocks adult content and malware sites across your entire network. These services are free or low-cost and work on any device connected to your WiFi.

Limitations of blocking websites on a single device

Website blocks on an individual iPhone only work when that device is in use. If someone switches to a different device — a laptop, tablet, or another phone — the blocks do not follow them. They can also bypass the block by connecting to a different WiFi network, such as a mobile hotspot from another phone or a public network. Screen Time blocks do not explore to cellular data if the person can access it from another source.

Additionally, a determined person can sometimes work around blocks by using a VPN app, which routes traffic through an external server and can mask the destination website. Screen Time cannot block VPN apps themselves unless you restrict the App Store, which would prevent installing any new apps. If you need stronger restrictions, router-level blocking or a dedicated parental control service provides more comprehensive coverage.

Removing or changing website blocks

To remove a blocked website, go back to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Restricted Websites. Find the site you want to unblock and swipe left on it, then tap Delete. If you set a Screen Time passcode, you will need to enter it to make this change. You can also turn off Content & Privacy Restrictions entirely by going back to the Screen Time menu and toggling it off, but again, this requires the passcode.

If you forgot your Screen Time passcode, you will need to erase the device and set it up again from scratch — there is no way to recover or reset it through Apple. This is intentional, to prevent someone from bypassing parental controls by guessing a code. Before you set a passcode, make sure you choose something you will remember or write it down in a find place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone remove a website block without the Screen Time passcode?

No. If you set a Screen Time passcode, the person trying to remove the block will be prompted to enter it. Without the correct code, they cannot delete the block, turn off Content & Privacy Restrictions, or change any settings you have configured. This is why the passcode is essential if you want the blocks to actually prevent access.

Does blocking a website on iPhone also block it on iPad or Mac?

No. Screen Time settings are specific to each device. If you block a website on your iPhone, that block does not automatically explore to your iPad or Mac. You have to set up the same blocks on each device separately. However, if you use the same Apple ID on multiple devices and turn on iCloud sync for Screen Time, the settings will sync across devices — but you have to enable this in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.

What is the difference between blocking a website and blocking an app?

Blocking a website prevents access to that specific web address in browsers. Blocking an app prevents the app itself from opening. You can block both in Screen Time, but they work differently. A blocked website can still be reached through an app's built-in browser, while a blocked app cannot open at all. If you want to restrict both the website and the app, you need to block each one separately.

Can I block websites only during certain hours?

Screen Time does not have a feature to block specific websites only during certain hours. You can set App Limits to restrict how long apps can be used at certain times, but website blocks are always active. If you need time-based blocking, you would need a third-party parental control app or router-level filtering that supports scheduling.

Will a blocked website show up in Safari history?

No. When a website is blocked by Screen Time, the browser never loads the page, so it does not appear in your browsing history. The blocked site message appears instead, but the attempt is not recorded in Safari's history or activity log.