Safari's built-in blocking tools stop you from reaching specific websites

Safari has two ways to block websites. The first is Screen Time, which restricts access to certain sites on your device — useful if you want to prevent yourself or someone else from visiting them. The second is content filtering through your router or internet service provider, which blocks sites across all devices on your network. For most people, Screen Time is the simpler choice because it works on just your Mac or iPhone without touching your network settings.

Both methods work differently depending on what you're trying to do. If you want to block a site only on your own device and you control it, Screen Time takes five minutes. If you're managing a child's device or want to block sites across your whole household, you may need router-level controls instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time on Mac or iPhone lets you block specific websites in Safari without affecting other devices or users.
  • You can block a site by adding it to a restricted list, and Safari will show an error page if you try to visit it.
  • Screen Time requires a passcode to change the blocked list, so someone can't straightforward remove sites you've blocked.
  • Router-level blocking affects all devices on your network but requires access to your router's settings and your internet provider's tools.

Blocking websites on Mac using Screen Time

Open System Settings and go to Screen Time. Click the lock icon in the bottom left and enter your password, then click "Content & Privacy." Check the box next to "Content & Privacy" to turn it on. Go to "Web Content" and select "Limit Adult Websites" or "Custom" — Custom lets you add specific sites to a blocklist.

If you chose Custom, click the plus sign under "Never Allow" and type the website address. Add as many sites as you need. Safari will block these sites and show an error message when you try to visit them. To prevent someone from removing the blocks, set a Screen Time passcode in the main Screen Time settings — this locks anyone out of changing your restrictions without the code.

The blocklist applies to Safari and other browsers on that Mac. If multiple people use the same computer, each person's Screen Time settings are separate, so you can block sites for one user without affecting others.

Blocking websites on iPhone or iPad

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time. Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and turn it on with your Screen Time passcode. Tap "Content Restrictions," then "Web Content." Choose "Limit Adult Websites" for automatic filtering or "Custom" to add specific sites.

Under Custom, tap "Add a Website Under 'Never Allow'" and enter the site address. You can add multiple sites one at a time. Once blocked, Safari will refuse to load those pages. The blocks stay in place until you remove them using your Screen Time passcode, which prevents someone else from unblocking sites without your permission.

What happens when you try to visit a blocked website

When you attempt to open a blocked site in Safari, the browser shows an error page instead of the website. The message says the page cannot be reached. On iPhone and iPad, you can request access by tapping "Ask for Screen Time Passcode" — this sends a notification to whoever set up Screen Time, but they can deny the request.

On Mac, you cannot request temporary access; the site straightforward stays blocked until the passcode holder removes it from the list. This makes Mac-level blocking stronger if you want to prevent access completely.

Blocking websites at the router level

Router-level blocking affects every device on your network, including phones, tablets, and computers. Log into your router's settings — usually by typing your router's IP address (often 192.168.1.1) into a browser. Look for a section called "Parental Controls," "Content Filtering," or "Access Control." The exact menu name depends on your router brand.

Add the website address to the blocklist. Some routers let you block by category (adult content, gambling, social media) instead of individual sites. Once saved, no device on your network can reach those sites. This approach works even if someone switches browsers or uses a different app, but it requires your router's admin password to change.

If your internet service provider offers their own blocking tools, you can also set blocks through their website or app. Comcast Xfinity, for example, has parental controls in their customer portal. These work across your entire home network regardless of which router you use.

Removing blocks you've set

On Mac or iPhone, go back to Screen Time settings, enter your passcode, and find the blocked site in the "Never Allow" list. Tap or click the minus sign next to it and confirm the removal. The site becomes accessible when ready.

At the router level, log back into your router settings and remove the site from the blocklist. Changes usually take effect within a few minutes. If you forgot your Screen Time passcode, you can reset it through your Apple ID on Mac, but on iPhone you may need to erase and restore the device.

When to use each blocking method

Use Screen Time if you want to block sites on one device only, or if you're managing a child's phone or tablet. It's quick to set up and doesn't affect anyone else's internet access. Use router-level blocking if you want to restrict sites across your entire household, or if you're managing a network where multiple people use different devices.

Screen Time is easier to change later — you just need your passcode. Router blocking is harder to bypass because it works before the browser even loads, but it requires technical access to your router. For most households, Screen Time on individual devices is the practical choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass Safari blocking by using a different browser?

Screen Time blocks only Safari and a few other Apple apps, so someone could use Chrome or Firefox to reach blocked sites. Router-level blocking works across all browsers and apps, so it's harder to bypass. If you need to prevent access across all browsers, router blocking is more effective.

What if I block a site by mistake?

Go back to Screen Time settings, enter your passcode, find the site in the "Never Allow" list, and remove it. The site becomes accessible when ready. If you set a router block, log into your router and delete the site from the blocklist.

Does blocking a website slow down my internet?

No. Screen Time blocking happens on your device and has no effect on speed. Router-level blocking may add a tiny delay as the router checks each request, but it's not noticeable in normal use.

Can I block a website for only certain times of day?

Screen Time lets you set downtime periods when Safari is restricted, but you cannot schedule specific sites to be blocked only during certain hours. You can block sites all the time or not at all. Router controls usually don't offer time-based blocking either.

What if I don't remember my Screen Time passcode?

On Mac, go to System Settings > Screen Time, click the lock, and click "Forgot passcode?" You can reset it using your Apple ID. On iPhone, you may need to erase the device and restore it from backup to reset a forgotten passcode.