Safari lets you block specific websites so they won't load when you try to visit them

You can block a site in Safari using the built-in content filtering feature on Mac, or by using Screen Time restrictions on iPhone and iPad. The Mac method is faster if you want to block one or two sites. Screen Time works across all your Apple devices if you turn on iCloud sync, but it requires more setup and is better suited to blocking categories of content rather than individual sites.

Neither method requires installing an extension or third-party app. Both are free and built into Safari itself.

Key Takeaways

  • On Mac, you can block a site when ready by going to Safari preferences, clicking the Websites tab, selecting Restrict Adult Websites, and adding the domain to the Never Allow list.
  • On iPhone or iPad, blocking a site requires setting up Screen Time, creating a content restriction, and manually entering the domain you want to block.
  • The Mac method blocks a site only in Safari; the Screen Time method blocks it across all apps on that device.
  • If you forget the Screen Time passcode on iPhone, you will need to reset your device or use your Apple ID to recover it.

Blocking a site on Mac in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Settings (or Preferences if you are using an older version). Click the Websites tab.

On the left side, click Restrict Adult Websites. A list appears showing sites that are already blocked by default. At the bottom of the window, you will see a text field labeled Never Allow. Type the domain name of the site you want to block — for example, example.com — and press Enter. The site is now blocked in Safari on that Mac.

If you want to unblock a site later, return to the same window, find it in the Never Allow list, and click the minus button next to it.

Blocking a site on iPhone or iPad using Screen Time

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If this is your first time using Screen Time, tap Turn On Screen Time and follow the prompts. You will be asked to set a Screen Time passcode — write this down somewhere safe, because you will need it to change these settings later.

Once Screen Time is on, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. Toggle the switch to turn it on. Tap Content Restrictions, then tap Web Content. Select Limit Adult Websites. Scroll down and tap Add a Website Under "Never Allow". Type the domain name of the site you want to block and tap Add.

The site is now blocked across all apps on that device. If you have multiple devices and want the same blocks on all of them, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and turn on Screen Time sync.

The difference between Safari-only blocking and device-wide blocking

The Mac method blocks a site only when you try to visit it in Safari. If you open Chrome or Firefox on the same Mac, the site will load normally. This is useful if you want to block a site in one browser but not others.

Screen Time blocking on iPhone and iPad works across all apps, including Safari, Chrome, and any other browser. If you block a site using Screen Time, you cannot visit it from any app on that device. This is more restrictive but also more effective if your goal is to prevent access entirely.

What happens when you try to visit a blocked site

On Mac, Safari displays a message saying the site is blocked and gives you the option to allow it temporarily or permanently. You can click Allow for One Day if you need to visit the site once, or Allow to unblock it entirely.

On iPhone or iPad with Screen Time, you see a similar message, but the options depend on your Screen Time settings. If you set a passcode, you will need to enter it to bypass the block. If you did not set a passcode, you can tap Allow when ready.

Blocking multiple sites at once

If you want to block more than a few sites, the Mac method is faster. You can add sites one at a time to the Never Allow list in Safari Settings without restarting anything.

On iPhone or iPad, you add sites one at a time as well, but the process requires navigating through more menus. If you are blocking many sites, consider whether a content filter app from the App Store might be faster, though these require more setup and often cost money.

Removing a block if you change your mind

On Mac, open Safari Settings, click Websites, select Restrict Adult Websites, find the site in the Never Allow list, and click the minus button next to it.

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content, find the site under Never Allow, swipe left on it, and tap Delete. If you have forgotten your Screen Time passcode, you will need to reset your device or use your Apple ID to turn off Screen Time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, on Mac you can use the Safari Settings method described above, which does not require Screen Time. On iPhone and iPad, Screen Time is the only built-in method Safari offers. Third-party apps are available in the App Store if you want an alternative.

Will blocking a site in Safari block it on my iPhone too?

No. Safari settings on Mac are separate from iPhone settings. If you want the same blocks on both devices, use Screen Time on each device or turn on iCloud sync for Screen Time in your Apple ID settings.

What if I forget my Screen Time passcode?

You can reset your device and set it up again, or use your Apple ID to turn off Screen Time without the passcode. Go to Settings > Screen Time, tap your name at the top, and select Change Screen Time Passcode. You will be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID.

Can I block a site only during certain hours?

Not with the built-in blocking feature. Screen Time lets you set app limits and downtime schedules, but site blocking itself is always on. If you need time-based blocking, you will need a third-party content filter app.

Does blocking a site hide it from my browsing history?

No. Blocking prevents the site from loading, but if you somehow bypass the block, the visit will still appear in your history. If you want to hide your browsing history, you can use Safari's private browsing mode instead.