The simplest way to block a website on Safari
You cannot block a website directly inside Safari on iPhone. Instead, you use the Screen Time settings built into iOS, which works across all apps and browsers on your phone. This method stops you from reaching a site even if you type the address manually or click a link to it.
The process takes about two minutes and requires you to set a Screen Time passcode — a four-digit code separate from your phone's unlock code. Once set, you can add websites to a restricted list that becomes inaccessible until you enter that passcode.
Key Takeaways
- Website blocking on iPhone happens through Screen Time settings, not through Safari itself, and blocks the site across all browsers.
- You must create a Screen Time passcode before you can restrict any websites, and this passcode is different from your phone's lock screen code.
- The Restricted list prevents access to specific websites, while the Allowed Websites Only list creates a whitelist where only listed sites work.
- If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you must reset your entire iPhone to remove the restrictions.
Setting up Screen Time and creating a passcode
Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time. If this is your first time using Screen Time, tap Turn On Screen Time. Choose whether this is your own device or a child's device — if you choose "This is My iPhone," you are setting restrictions on yourself. If you choose "This is My Child's iPhone," you are setting restrictions on someone else's phone.
After selecting your device type, you will be asked to create a Screen Time passcode. This is a four-digit number you will need to enter whenever you want to change or remove website restrictions. Write this number down somewhere safe — if you lose it, the only way to remove restrictions is to erase your phone and set it up again from scratch.
Once your passcode is set, you will see the Screen Time dashboard. This is where you manage all restrictions, including websites.
Adding websites to the restricted list
From the Screen Time dashboard, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. You may need to enter your Screen Time passcode here. Toggle the switch next to Content & Privacy Restrictions to turn it on if it is not already on.
Scroll down and tap Web Content. You will see three options: Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, and Allowed Websites Only. To block specific websites, tap Limit Adult Websites. This option lets you keep most of the internet available while blocking only the sites you choose.
Under Limit Adult Websites, you will see a section called Never Allow. Tap the plus sign and type the web address of the site you want to block — for example, facebook.com or instagram.com. Add as many sites as you need. Each site you add here becomes inaccessible on your phone.
Using Allowed Websites Only for stricter control
If you want the opposite approach — where only certain websites work and everything else is blocked — choose Allowed Websites Only instead of Limit Adult Websites. This creates a whitelist rather than a blacklist.
With Allowed Websites Only selected, only the websites you add to the list will load in any browser. This is more restrictive and is often used when setting up a child's device. You add sites by tapping the plus sign and entering each address you want to allow.
Switching between these two modes requires your Screen Time passcode, so choose the approach that fits your needs before you lock it in.
What happens when you try to visit a blocked website
When you navigate to a blocked website in Safari, the page will not load. Instead, you will see a message saying the site is restricted. The message will offer you the option to Ask for More Time or to enter your Screen Time passcode to temporarily allow access.
If you tap Ask for More Time, a notification goes to whoever set up Screen Time on the device. On your own phone, you will receive your own notification. Tapping Allow will let you view the site for 15 minutes, after which it blocks again automatically.
Removing or changing blocked websites
To remove a website from your blocked list, go back to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content. Find the site you want to unblock in the Never Allow section, swipe left on it, and tap Delete. You will need to enter your Screen Time passcode to confirm.
To add more sites later, follow the same steps: tap the plus sign under Never Allow and type the new address. You can update your list at any time as long as you have your Screen Time passcode.
Why a blocked site might still load
If you set up Limit Adult Websites but a site still loads, it may be because the site is not on your Never Allow list. Double-check that you typed the address correctly — facebook.com and www.facebook.com are treated as different entries, so add both if you want to block all variations.
If you are using Allowed Websites Only and a site you need is blocked, make sure you added it to the allowed list. Remember that subdomains matter: mail.google.com and google.com are separate, so add each one you need.
If you are still having trouble, restart Safari by closing it completely and opening it again. Sometimes the browser cache causes a blocked site to appear briefly before the restriction takes effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else remove my blocked websites without my passcode?
No. Whoever set up Screen Time on your phone is the only person who can change restrictions without the passcode. If you set it up yourself, only you can modify the list. If a parent set it up, they control the restrictions.
What if I forget my Screen Time passcode?
You cannot reset the passcode without erasing your phone. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, then set up your iPhone again. This removes all restrictions but also deletes all your data unless you restore from a backup made before you set the passcode.
Does blocking a website in Screen Time block it in other apps too?
Yes. Screen Time restrictions explore across your entire phone, not just Safari. If you block a website, you cannot reach it through any browser or app that opens web links, including Mail, Messages, or social media apps.
Can I block a website for only certain hours of the day?
No. Website blocking through Screen Time is always on. If you want time-based restrictions, you would need to use App Limits or Downtime instead, which pause all apps during set hours rather than blocking specific sites.
Will the person I am blocking know I blocked them?
No notification is sent. However, if someone tries to visit a blocked site on a shared device and sees the restriction message, they will know a block is in place. The block itself is silent.