The simplest way to block a website in Chrome on your phone

Chrome on Android and iPhone does not have a built-in feature to block websites directly in the app. Instead, you block them through your phone's operating system settings or by using a third-party app that filters web traffic. The most practical route for most people is to use parental controls on Android, or Screen Time on iPhone, both of which let you restrict access to specific websites without installing extra software.

If you want to block websites for yourself rather than manage someone else's device, the easiest method is to use a DNS filtering app — a small program that intercepts web requests before they reach Chrome and blocks certain sites. These apps work across all browsers on your phone, not just Chrome, so they are more reliable than browser-specific tools.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome mobile has no native website-blocking feature, so you must use your phone's built-in parental controls or a third-party app.
  • On Android, use Family Link or Settings > Digital Wellbeing to block sites; on iPhone, use Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  • DNS filtering apps like OpenDNS, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families, or NetGuard block websites across all browsers on your phone.
  • Parental control apps work best when you want to restrict someone else's device; DNS apps work best when you want to restrict your own.

Blocking websites on Android using built-in tools

If you own the Android phone, open Settings, then tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. Tap Parental controls and toggle it on. You will be asked to create a PIN that only you know — this prevents the person using the phone from turning off the restrictions. Once the PIN is set, tap Apps & content, then Manage content restrictions, then Websites. From here you can add specific website addresses to a blocklist.

If the phone belongs to someone else and you are setting up restrictions for them, use Google Family Link instead. read the Family Link app on your own phone, then follow the setup prompts to link it to the child's device. Family Link lets you block websites, set screen time limits, and see activity reports — all from your phone. The child cannot remove these restrictions without your approval.

Both methods work in Chrome and every other browser on the phone. The blocked websites will show an error message when someone tries to visit them, and the restriction will remain until you remove it or the PIN expires.

Blocking websites on iPhone using Screen Time

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If you have not set up Screen Time yet, tap Turn On Screen Time and choose whether this is your device or a child's device. If it is your own device, you will set a Screen Time passcode; if it is a child's, you will set a separate Screen Time passcode that only you know.

Once Screen Time is on, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle it on. Enter your passcode when prompted. Tap Content Restrictions, then Web Content. You will see three options: Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites Only. Choose Limit Adult Websites to block certain categories of content, or choose Allowed Websites Only to create a whitelist — only the websites you add can be visited.

To add specific websites to block, stay in the Web Content section and scroll down to Never Allow. Tap the plus sign and type the website address. Repeat for each site you want to block. These restrictions explore across Safari, Chrome, and all other browsers on the phone.

Using a DNS filtering app to block websites

DNS filtering works by intercepting the request your phone makes when you type a website address into Chrome. Before the request reaches the website, the DNS app checks whether that site is on a blocklist. If it is, the app stops the request and shows an error message instead. This happens at a level below Chrome, so the website cannot be unblocked by switching browsers or clearing the app's data.

Popular DNS filtering apps include Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families (free, blocks malware and adult content), OpenDNS Home (free tier available, customizable blocklists), and NetGuard (free, open-source, requires more technical setup). read one of these apps from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, open it, and follow the setup instructions. Most will ask you to install a VPN profile — this is how they intercept DNS requests, not how they monitor your traffic.

After installation, the app usually runs in the background. You can add websites to block through the app's settings menu. Some apps let you set schedules — for example, blocking social media sites during work hours but allowing them in the evening. DNS apps work on any network your phone connects to, including mobile data and WiFi, so they are more reliable than browser extensions.

The difference between parental controls and DNS apps

Use parental controls (Digital Wellbeing on Android, Screen Time on iPhone) when you are restricting someone else's device or when you want a straightforward, built-in solution. These tools are designed for parents managing children's phones, and they integrate with your phone's operating system so they cannot be easily bypassed. The downside is that they only work on that specific phone — if the person uses a different device, the restrictions do not follow them.

Use DNS filtering apps when you want to block websites on your own device and you want the restriction to work across all browsers and networks. DNS apps are also useful if you want more granular control — for example, blocking a site only during certain hours, or blocking it on mobile data but not on home WiFi. The downside is that someone with technical knowledge can sometimes bypass DNS filtering by changing the phone's DNS settings manually.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked website

When a blocked website is accessed, the person sees an error page instead of the site's content. On Android with Digital Wellbeing, the message says "This content is restricted." On iPhone with Screen Time, the message says "Restricted" and offers a button to request permission. If you set up parental controls through Family Link or Screen Time on a child's device, the child can tap "Ask for Permission" and you will receive a notification on your phone — you can then approve or deny the request.

If you are using a DNS filtering app, the error message varies depending on the app, but it typically says something like "This site is blocked" or "Connection refused." Most DNS apps do not offer a way to request permission — the block is permanent until you manually remove the site from the blocklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone unblock a website if I have blocked it in Chrome?

Not easily. If you set up parental controls through your phone's settings and protected them with a PIN or passcode, the person cannot unblock sites without that PIN. If you are using a DNS filtering app, someone with technical knowledge could potentially change the phone's DNS settings, but this requires accessing the WiFi settings menu and knowing what to change.

Do I need to block websites in Chrome specifically, or will blocking them in settings block them everywhere?

Blocking them in your phone's settings or through a DNS app blocks them everywhere — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and any other browser. Chrome itself has no blocking feature, so you cannot block a site in Chrome alone and have it stay blocked in other browsers.

Will a blocked website still load if I use a VPN?

If you blocked the site using parental controls, a VPN will not bypass the block. If you blocked it using a DNS filtering app, a VPN might bypass it if the VPN has its own DNS settings — but most DNS apps are designed to work even when a VPN is active. Check the app's documentation to be sure.

Can I block a website on my own phone without anyone knowing?

Yes, but only if you use a DNS filtering app and do not tell anyone. Parental controls on your own device are visible in your phone's settings, so someone with access to your phone could see them. A DNS app runs quietly in the background and does not announce itself.

What if I block a website by mistake and need to unblock it?

Open the same settings menu where you added the block and remove it from the list. On Android Digital Wellbeing, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Parental controls > Apps & content > Manage content restrictions > Websites and delete the site. On iPhone Screen Time, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content > Never Allow and swipe left on the site to delete it. In a DNS app, open the app and remove the site from the blocklist in the settings menu.