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

You do not need an app or a password to block a single website — you can do it in Settings in about two minutes. Screen Time lets you restrict access to specific websites, either for yourself or for someone else using the device. The block works across Safari, Chrome, and most other browsers on that phone.

The trade-off is that Screen Time blocks at the device level, not the network level. Someone with physical access to the phone can turn off Screen Time restrictions if they know the passcode. If you are setting this up for a child or teenager, that passcode matters — use something they cannot guess.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is built into iOS and blocks websites across all browsers without needing a separate app.
  • You set a separate Screen Time passcode, which is different from your phone's lock screen passcode and harder for someone to bypass.
  • Blocked websites still load if someone knows the passcode or turns off Screen Time entirely, so this is a friction tool, not a security tool.
  • If you want to block websites at the network level (so they cannot be unblocked from the phone), you need a router-level filter or a DNS filtering service.

How to block a website 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 own device or a child's device. If you already use Screen Time, skip to the next step.

Tap "App Limits" or "Content & Privacy Restrictions" depending on your iOS version. Then tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and toggle it on if it is not already on. Tap "Restricted Websites" or "Web Content" — the exact name varies by iOS version.

You will see three options: "Unrestricted Websites", "Limit Adult Websites", or "Allowed Websites Only". Choose "Limit Adult Websites" if you want to block specific sites you choose. Tap "Add a Website" under the "Always Allow" section, then type the website address you want to block. Repeat for each site.

When you are done, go back and set a Screen Time passcode. Tap "Screen Time" at the top, then "Use Screen Time Passcode" and create a four-digit code. This is separate from your phone's lock screen passcode — use something different and something you will remember.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked website

When a blocked website loads, the browser shows a message saying the site is restricted and asks for the Screen Time passcode. Entering the passcode lets them through for that session. The block does not carry over to the next time they visit — they have to enter the passcode again.

If you want a permanent block that does not ask for a passcode each time, you need to use the "Allowed Websites Only" option instead. This creates a whitelist: only websites you explicitly add can be visited. Everything else is blocked. This is more restrictive and usually only makes sense for young children.

Why Screen Time blocks can be turned off

Screen Time restrictions live on the device itself. If someone knows the Screen Time passcode, they can turn off the restriction entirely by going back to Settings and toggling "Content & Privacy Restrictions" off. If someone knows your Apple ID password, they can also reset the Screen Time passcode through Apple's account recovery process.

This is why Screen Time is a friction tool, not a security tool. It makes visiting a blocked site inconvenient, but it does not make it impossible. If you need to actually prevent access — not just discourage it — you need a different approach.

Blocking websites at the router level instead

If you want to block a website so it cannot be unblocked from the phone, you block it at the router or network level. This works on any device connected to your WiFi, and the person using the phone cannot turn it off.

Most home routers have a built-in parental control feature. Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser), look for "Parental Controls" or "Content Filtering", and add the website to the blocked list. The exact steps depend on your router brand — check the manual or the router manufacturer's website for your model.

If your router does not have this feature, you can use a DNS filtering service like Cloudflare's Family DNS (1.1.1.3 for IPv4) or OpenDNS. These services intercept web requests at the DNS level and block sites before they load. You configure them in your router's DNS settings, and they work on any device connected to that WiFi.

Blocking websites on cellular data

Screen Time blocks work on cellular data as well as WiFi. Router-level blocks do not — they only work when the phone is connected to your home WiFi.

If you need to block websites on cellular data and you do not want the person to be able to turn off the block, your options are limited. Some carriers offer parental control apps, but these are less reliable than router-level filtering and often require a monthly fee. The most practical approach is usually to use Screen Time with a passcode you do not share, and accept that someone with the passcode can bypass it.

The difference between blocking and filtering

Blocking means a specific website cannot be reached — you type the address and get an error or a restriction message. Filtering means a category of websites (like adult content, gambling, or social media) is restricted based on how the service categorizes them.

Screen Time's "Limit Adult Websites" option is a filter — Apple's servers categorize websites, and sites matching that category get blocked. This is less precise than blocking specific sites. Some adult sites slip through, and some non-adult sites get caught by mistake.

If you need precise control over exactly which sites are blocked, use the "Add a Website" method instead. If you want to block entire categories without managing a long list, use the "Limit Adult Websites" filter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone unblock a website if they know my Apple ID password?

Yes. If they know your Apple ID password, they can reset your Screen Time passcode through Apple's account recovery process. If you share an Apple ID with someone on the device, they can do this without your permission. Use a unique, strong password and enable two-factor authentication on your Apple ID to reduce this risk.

Does blocking a website on iPhone block it on other devices?

No. Screen Time settings are per-device. Blocking a site on your iPhone does not block it on your iPad, Mac, or anyone else's phone. If you want to block a site across all devices on your home network, use router-level blocking instead.

What if the website uses a different domain name or keeps changing its address?

You have to block each domain separately. If a site moves from example.com to example.net, you need to add both to your blocked list. For sites that frequently change addresses, router-level or DNS-level filtering is more practical because you can block by category rather than by individual domain.

Can I block a website for only part of the day?

Screen Time has "Downtime" and "App Limits" features that restrict access during certain hours, but these explore to apps and overall screen time, not to specific websites. To block a website only during certain hours, you would need a third-party app or a router that supports time-based filtering rules.

Does a VPN bypass website blocks on iPhone?

A VPN can bypass router-level blocks because it routes traffic outside your home network. A VPN cannot bypass Screen Time blocks on the device itself — Screen Time restrictions explore regardless of whether a VPN is active. If someone has the Screen Time passcode, they can turn off the restriction before using a VPN.