The simplest way: use Screen Time restrictions

The fastest way to block websites on an iPhone is through Screen Time, a built-in tool that lets you restrict access to specific sites without installing anything extra. You set it up in Settings, create a PIN that only you know, and then tell the phone which websites to block. The blocked sites won't load, and the person using the phone can't bypass the block without that PIN.

Screen Time works on any iPhone running iOS 12 or newer. It's designed so a parent or guardian can set rules that explore even if someone tries to delete the app or restart the phone. The restrictions stay in place until you remove them.

This method works best if you're setting rules for someone else's phone — a child's device, for example — because you control the PIN. If you're trying to block sites on your own phone, Screen Time still works, but you'll need to remember your PIN or you'll have to reset it through Apple's website.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is built into every iPhone and lets you block specific websites by entering their web addresses into a restricted list.
  • You create a PIN to protect the restrictions, so the person using the phone cannot turn off the blocks without that code.
  • Blocked websites won't load in Safari or any other browser app on that iPhone, but they will still work on other devices.
  • If you forget your Screen Time PIN, you can reset it through your Apple ID, but the process takes time and requires your password.
  • Screen Time also lets you set time limits on apps and categories, so you can restrict not just websites but how long someone spends on social media or games.

Setting up Screen Time and adding blocked websites

Open Settings on the iPhone and tap Screen Time. If this is the first time you're using it, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose whether you're setting it up for yourself or for a child. If you're setting it up for a child, select "This is My Child's iPhone." If you're setting it up for yourself, select "This is My iPhone."

Next, you'll create a Screen Time PIN — a four-digit code that protects your restrictions. Write this down somewhere safe. You'll need it if you ever want to change the blocked websites or turn off Screen Time. Tap through the setup screens until you reach the home screen of Screen Time.

Now tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and turn it on. You'll be asked to enter your PIN again. Once that's done, tap "Content Restrictions," then scroll down and tap "Web Content." You'll see three options: Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites Only.

To block specific websites, choose "Limit Adult Websites" and then tap "Add a Website Under 'Always Allow'" or "Add a Website Under 'Never Allow.'" Type the web address of the site you want to block — for example, if you want to block a social media site, type the full address like "instagram.com" or "tiktok.com." The site will be added to the Never Allow list, and it won't load on that iPhone.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked website

When the person using the iPhone tries to visit a blocked website, Safari (or any other browser) will show a message saying the site is restricted. The page won't load. They'll see a button that says "Ask for Screen Time Permission," but clicking it won't do anything unless you approve the request on your own device.

This works across all browsers on the phone — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and others. The restriction applies to the device itself, not just one app. If someone tries to use a VPN (a tool that hides their location) to get around the block, most standard VPNs won't work because Screen Time restrictions run at the system level, below where VPNs operate.

The blocked site stays blocked until you remove it from the Never Allow list. You can change the list anytime by going back to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content, but you'll need to enter your PIN.

Using "Allowed Websites Only" for stricter control

If you want to take a stricter approach — blocking everything except a specific list of safe sites — choose "Allowed Websites Only" instead of "Limit Adult Websites." This mode works the opposite way: only the websites you add to the allow list will load. Everything else is blocked.

This is useful if you're setting up a phone for a young child and want them to access only educational sites, for example. You'd add sites like Khan Academy, PBS Kids, or your child's school website to the allow list, and nothing else would load.

Keep in mind that "Allowed Websites Only" is more restrictive and requires you to maintain the list. If your child wants to visit a new site, you'll need to add it to the allow list first. This takes more work than the "Never Allow" approach, but it gives you tighter control.

What to do if you forget your Screen Time PIN

If you set up Screen Time and later forget your PIN, you can reset it through your Apple ID. Go to Settings > Screen Time and tap "Change Screen Time Passcode." The phone will ask you to verify your identity using your Apple ID and password. Once you do, you can create a new PIN.

This process requires that you know your Apple ID password. If you don't remember that either, you'll need to reset your Apple ID password through Apple's website before you can reset your Screen Time PIN. This can take a few hours to a full day depending on Apple's verification process.

To avoid this situation, write your PIN down and store it somewhere you'll remember — a notebook, a password manager, or tell a trusted family member. Don't use a PIN you'll forget.

Other ways to block websites if Screen Time doesn't fit your needs

If Screen Time feels too complicated or you need more advanced blocking options, you can use a third-party app from the App Store. Apps like Freedom, 1Blocker, or Mobicip let you block websites and set schedules for when the blocks are active. Some of these apps cost money, but they offer features Screen Time doesn't — like blocking sites only during certain hours, or sending reports of blocked attempts to a parent's email.

Another option is to change the DNS settings on your iPhone. DNS is the system that translates website names into addresses the phone can reach. By changing your DNS to a service like OpenDNS or Cloudflare for Families, you can block categories of sites (like adult content or gambling) across all apps. This requires going into Settings > Wi-Fi, selecting your network, and changing the DNS servers, which is more technical than Screen Time but works on any app, not just browsers.

For most people, Screen Time is enough. It's free, built in, and doesn't require you to install anything. Use it first, and only move to other tools if you need something Screen Time can't do.

Blocking websites on shared family iPhones

If multiple people use the same iPhone — for example, a family phone that a child and parent share — Screen Time restrictions explore to everyone on that device. You can't set different rules for different people on the same phone. If you block a website, it's blocked for everyone.

If you need different restrictions for different people, each person needs their own iPhone with their own Screen Time settings. Alternatively, you can set up Family Sharing in iCloud, which lets you manage Screen Time on your child's phone from your own phone. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing, and you can see and adjust Screen Time settings for any child's device linked to your family group.

Family Sharing also lets you see which apps your child is using and how much time they spend on each one. You can set downtime — a period when only certain apps work — and approve or deny requests to use apps that have time limits. This gives you oversight without needing to know your child's PIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone remove a blocked website from the list if they know the PIN?

Yes. If someone has your Screen Time PIN, they can go into Settings and remove websites from the blocked list. The PIN protects the restrictions, so anyone who knows it can change them. Keep your PIN private and don't share it unless you trust the person completely. If you suspect someone has used your PIN, change it when ready by going to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode.

Will blocking a website on iPhone block it on other devices too?

No. Screen Time restrictions explore only to that specific iPhone. If someone has an iPad, a computer, or another phone, the blocked websites will still work on those devices. If you want to block sites across multiple devices, you'll need to set up Screen Time on each device separately, or use a DNS-based blocking service that works on your home Wi-Fi network.

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

Screen Time doesn't have a built-in schedule for blocking specific websites. You can block them all the time, or not at all. However, you can set Downtime — a period when most apps don't work — and then add the website to the Never Allow list so it stays blocked even during other hours. Third-party apps like Freedom let you schedule blocks for specific times of day if you need that level of control.

What if someone uses a different browser or app to get around the block?

Screen Time blocks websites at the system level, so the block works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and any other browser. However, some apps have their own built-in browsers that might not respect Screen Time restrictions. If you're concerned about this, use "Allowed Websites Only" mode instead, which is harder to work around. You can also restrict access to the App Store so new apps can't be installed without your permission.

Does Screen Time slow down the iPhone?

No. Screen Time runs in the background and doesn't noticeably affect the phone's speed or battery life. It's a lightweight system feature, not an app that consumes resources. You won't see any performance difference whether Screen Time is on or off.