The simplest way to block websites on iPhone is through Screen Time, a built-in tool that lets you restrict access to specific sites without needing passwords or extra apps

Apple's Screen Time feature lets you block websites directly in Safari, the iPhone's default browser. You set it up in Settings, choose which sites to block, and the phone enforces the block even if someone tries to delete it — as long as you remember your Screen Time passcode. This works for Safari only, not for websites opened in other browsers like Chrome or Firefox.

The second option is to use DNS filtering, which blocks sites at the network level rather than in the browser. This means it works across all apps and browsers on your phone, but it requires installing a configuration profile or using a VPN app. DNS filtering is stronger if you want to block sites everywhere on the device, but it's also more complex to set up.

A third option is to use parental controls through your Apple ID if you're setting up restrictions for someone else's phone — a child's device, for example. This gives you remote control over what sites they can reach.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time blocks websites in Safari only and requires a passcode to change the restrictions, so someone can't straightforward remove the block.
  • DNS filtering blocks websites across all apps and browsers, but requires installing a profile or VPN app and is harder to set up.
  • If you're blocking sites on someone else's device, you can use Family Sharing to manage restrictions from your own phone.
  • Blocking a website does not prevent someone from accessing it through a VPN or by switching to a different browser, depending on which method you use.

How to block websites using Screen Time

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If this is your first time using it, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose "This is My iPhone" (not "This is My Child's iPhone"). Then tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and turn the toggle on. Tap "Content Restrictions," then "Web Content," then "Limit Adult Websites."

At the bottom of that screen, you'll see "Never Allow." Tap the plus sign and type in the website address you want to block — for example, reddit.com or youtube.com. You can add as many sites as you want. When you're done, go back and set a Screen Time passcode. This passcode is what prevents you (or anyone else) from removing the block without permission.

Screen Time blocks the site in Safari, but not in other browsers. If someone opens Chrome or Firefox and goes to the same website, it will load. This is a real limitation: Screen Time only controls Safari.

Using DNS filtering to block websites across all apps

DNS filtering works differently. Instead of blocking a site in one browser, it blocks the site at the network level — meaning the phone can't reach it no matter which app is used. The most common way to set this up is through a VPN app that includes DNS filtering, such as NextDNS, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1, or OpenDNS.

read one of these apps from the App Store, open it, and follow the setup instructions. Most will ask you to install a configuration profile — a small file that tells your phone to route web traffic through their DNS service. Once installed, the app can block websites across Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and any other browser or app on your phone.

The trade-off is that DNS filtering is more technical to set up, and it affects all internet traffic on your phone, not just websites. Some people find this slower or more restrictive than they want. Also, like Screen Time, DNS filtering can be bypassed with a VPN that uses a different DNS service.

Setting up parental controls for someone else's device

If you're blocking websites on a child's iPhone, you can use Family Sharing to manage restrictions from your own phone. Go to Settings, tap your name, then Family Sharing. Add the child's account if you haven't already, then tap their name. Tap "Screen Time," then "Content & Privacy Restrictions," and set up the blocks the same way you would for your own phone.

The advantage here is that you control the passcode, so the child cannot change the restrictions without your permission. You can also see their Screen Time report and set downtime hours when the phone locks certain apps entirely.

What these blocks actually stop — and what they don't

Screen Time and DNS filtering both stop someone from reaching a website through normal browsing. But they have real limits. A person can use a VPN app to bypass either method, because a VPN hides their traffic and makes it look like it's coming from somewhere else. They can also switch to a browser that isn't covered by the block — Screen Time only affects Safari, so Chrome or Firefox will still work.

These tools are useful for reducing accidental access or making it slightly harder to reach a site, but they're not unbreakable. If someone is determined and tech-savvy, they can find ways around them. They work best as a friction point — something that makes reaching a blocked site inconvenient enough that most people won't bother.

Choosing between Screen Time and DNS filtering

Use Screen Time if you only use Safari and want the simplest setup. It takes two minutes and requires no extra apps. Use DNS filtering if you want to block sites across all browsers and apps, or if you use Chrome or Firefox as your main browser.

If you're setting restrictions on a child's phone, Family Sharing with Screen Time is usually the right choice because it gives you remote control and you hold the passcode. If you're trying to block sites on your own phone to reduce distraction, Screen Time is simpler; if you want the block to explore everywhere, DNS filtering is stronger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone remove a website from the blocked list without my passcode?

No, not through the normal settings. Both Screen Time and DNS filtering require your passcode to change the restrictions. However, someone could potentially factory reset the phone or use a VPN to bypass the block entirely.

Will blocking a website in Screen Time also block it in Chrome or Firefox?

No. Screen Time only blocks websites in Safari. If you want to block a site across all browsers, you need to use DNS filtering through a VPN app instead.

What happens if I forget my Screen Time passcode?

You'll need to reset it using your Apple ID. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap "Change Screen Time Passcode," then "Forgot Passcode?" and sign in with your Apple ID. You can then set a new passcode.

Does blocking a website slow down my phone?

Screen Time has no noticeable effect on speed. DNS filtering through a VPN app may add a small amount of latency because your traffic is routed through an extra server, but most people don't notice the difference.

Can I block websites on my iPhone if I don't have a passcode?

Yes, but the block won't be find. Anyone with access to your phone can remove it by going into Settings and turning off the restriction. A passcode is what makes the block actually stick.