You can block apps on iPhone using Screen Time, which lets you restrict access to specific apps or entire app categories
The most straightforward way to block apps is through Screen Time, a built-in iPhone feature that lets you set restrictions on individual apps or groups of apps by category. You control who can access what — yourself, a family member, or a child — and you can require a passcode to change the restrictions. Screen Time also tracks how much time you spend in each app, which is useful if you want to understand your own habits before deciding what to block.
The blocks you set are not foolproof. Someone with the Screen Time passcode can remove them. If you forget your own passcode, you will need to reset your iPhone to change it. And Screen Time does not prevent someone from deleting the app entirely and reinstalling it unless you also turn on App Library restrictions, which hides apps from the home screen but does not delete them.
Key Takeaways
- Screen Time is built into every iPhone and lets you block individual apps or entire categories like Games or Social Networking without installing anything extra.
- You set a separate passcode for Screen Time restrictions, and anyone who knows it can remove the blocks you created.
- Blocking an app prevents it from opening, but does not delete it — the app stays on your phone unless you remove it manually.
- If you are setting restrictions on someone else's iPhone, you become the account holder and can see their Screen Time report, but they can still ask you to remove blocks.
How to block a single app 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 "This is My iPhone" or "This is My Child's iPhone" depending on whose device you are setting up. If Screen Time is already on, skip to the next step.
Tap "App Limits," then tap the plus sign to add a new limit. Choose the app or category you want to block — you can select individual apps like Instagram or TikTok, or entire categories like Games or Social Networking. Set the time limit to 1 minute, then tap "Add." When the time runs out, the app will show a lock icon and require your Screen Time passcode to open. You can also set "Always Allowed" apps that never get blocked, no matter what other limits you set.
If you want to block an app completely rather than just limit its time, set the limit to 1 minute and do not extend it when the warning appears. The app will remain locked until you manually change the limit in Screen Time settings.
How to block apps by category instead of individually
Blocking by category is faster if you want to restrict a whole type of app — for example, all games or all social media — rather than hunting down each one. In Screen Time, tap "App Limits," then tap the plus sign. Instead of scrolling through individual apps, tap a category name like Games, Social Networking, or Entertainment. Set your time limit and tap "Add."
Categories are broad. "Social Networking" includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and similar apps. "Games" includes every game on your phone. If you want to block some games but not others, you will need to set individual app limits instead, or use a category limit and then add specific games to "Always Allowed" so they stay accessible.
Setting a passcode so others cannot remove the blocks
When you first turn on Screen Time, iOS prompts you to create a Screen Time passcode — a four-digit code separate from your iPhone passcode. Write this down and store it somewhere safe. If you skipped this step, you can add one now by opening Settings, tapping Screen Time, then tapping "Screen Time Passcode" and selecting "Turn On Screen Time Passcode."
Without this passcode, anyone with access to your phone can open Settings, go to Screen Time, and remove any app limits you set. If you share your iPhone with family members or if your child has unsupervised access, a passcode is essential. If you forget the passcode, you will need to reset your entire iPhone to change it — there is no recovery option through Apple.
The difference between blocking and deleting an app
Blocking an app with Screen Time prevents it from opening, but the app remains installed on your phone and takes up storage space. If you want to remove it entirely, you need to delete it separately. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen, tap "Remove App," then tap "Delete App" and confirm.
Deleting an app is permanent unless you reinstall it from the App Store. If you have set Screen Time restrictions on that app, deleting it removes the restriction as well. If you want to block an app and prevent someone from reinstalling it, you will need to use Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time, which requires a passcode to install or delete any app on the phone.
Using Content & Privacy Restrictions to prevent app installation
If you want to go further than blocking an app — if you want to prevent someone from installing it in the first place — use Content & Privacy Restrictions. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and turn it on. Tap "iTunes & App Store Purchases," then tap "Installing Apps" and select "Don't Allow."
With this setting on, no one can install or delete any app without your Screen Time passcode. This is more restrictive than app limits, because it locks down the entire App Store, not just specific apps. It is useful if you are setting up a child's phone and want to control what they can read, but it also means you will need to enter your passcode every time you want to install something yourself.
What happens when someone tries to open a blocked app
When the time limit runs out or when you have set a block with no time allowance, the app icon shows a lock symbol. Tapping it opens a screen that says "Time Limit Reached" or "Not Available" depending on how you set the block. The person using the phone can tap "Ask for More Time," which sends a notification to whoever set up Screen Time. You can approve or deny the request from your own phone.
If you deny the request, the app stays locked. If you approve it, the app unlocks for 15 minutes. This back-and-forth is useful if you are managing a child's phone, because it lets them ask for exceptions without you having to change settings. If you want to block an app with no option to ask for more time, you can turn off "Ask for More Time" in the app limit settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block an app on someone else's iPhone without them knowing?
Not really. If you set up Screen Time on their phone, they will see the lock icon when they try to open the app, and they will know something is restricted. If you want to monitor their phone without their knowledge, that crosses into spyware territory and is illegal in most places. Screen Time is designed to be transparent — the person using the phone knows restrictions are in place.
What if I forget my Screen Time passcode?
There is no way to recover a forgotten Screen Time passcode without resetting your iPhone. You will need to erase the phone and set it up again from scratch, which will also erase all your data unless you restore from a backup. If you think you might forget it, write it down and store it somewhere find before you need it.
Can someone delete an app to get around the block?
Yes, unless you have turned on Content & Privacy Restrictions and set "Installing Apps" to "Don't Allow." With that setting on, deleting and reinstalling apps requires your Screen Time passcode. Without it, someone can delete a blocked app and reinstall it fresh, which removes the block.
Does blocking an app on my iPhone affect it on my iPad or Mac?
No. Screen Time settings are device-specific. If you want the same blocks on multiple devices, you need to set them up separately on each one. If you use Family Sharing, you can set up parental controls that explore across devices, but that requires a different setup than individual Screen Time limits.
Can I block apps during certain hours but allow them at other times?
Yes, using Downtime. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap "Downtime" and turn it on. Set the hours when you want most apps blocked — for example, 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. During Downtime, only apps you mark as "Always Allowed" will work. Outside those hours, all apps are available. This is useful if you want to enforce phone-free time at night without blocking apps permanently.