The simplest way to block websites on iPhone is through Screen Time, Apple's built-in parental control tool

You can block specific websites without installing anything extra or paying a subscription. Screen Time lets you restrict access to certain sites across Safari, Chrome, and other browsers on your device. The blocked sites won't load at all when you try to visit them — they'll show a message saying the site is restricted.

The process takes about five minutes. You open Settings, go to Screen Time, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then add websites to a blocklist. If you're blocking sites on someone else's iPhone (like a child's device), you'll need to set a Screen Time passcode that only you know, so they can't remove the blocks themselves.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is built into every iPhone and blocks websites across all browsers without needing extra apps or subscriptions.
  • You can block individual websites or entire categories like adult content, gambling, or social media in one step.
  • A Screen Time passcode prevents anyone else from removing the blocks or changing the restrictions.
  • Blocked websites won't load at all — the user sees a message that the site is restricted, not a blank page.
  • If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you'll need to reset your iPhone or contact Apple Support to regain access.

How to block specific websites using Screen Time

Open Settings on your iPhone and tap Screen Time. If this is your first time using it, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose whether you're setting this up for yourself or a family member. Then tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and toggle it on.

Next, tap "Content Restrictions," then "Web Content." You'll see three options: Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites Only. Choose "Limit Adult Websites" if you want most sites to work but block known adult content. Choose "Allowed Websites Only" if you want to create a whitelist — only the sites you add will load, and everything else is blocked.

If you chose "Limit Adult Websites," scroll down and tap "Add a Website Under 'Never Allow.'" Type in the website address (for example, reddit.com or instagram.com) and tap "Add." Repeat for each site you want to block. If you chose "Allowed Websites Only," tap "Add a Website Under 'Always Allowed'" instead, and add only the sites you want to permit.

When you're done adding sites, go back and tap "Screen Time Passcode" to set a four-digit code. This prevents anyone from turning off Screen Time or removing sites from the blocklist without entering the passcode. Write this code down somewhere safe — if you forget it, you cannot retrieve it without resetting your entire iPhone.

Blocking entire website categories instead of individual sites

If you don't want to list websites one by one, you can block whole categories at once. In Screen Time, go to Content & Privacy Restrictions, then Content Restrictions, then Web Content. Choose "Limit Adult Websites."

Scroll down past the "Never Allow" section and you'll see category toggles: Adult, Gambling, and a few others depending on your iOS version. Turn on the toggle next to any category you want blocked. All sites in that category will be restricted when ready, without you having to name them individually.

This approach is faster if you want to block gambling sites or adult content broadly, but it's less precise — you might block some sites you didn't intend to, and some sites in a category might slip through if Apple hasn't categorized them yet. If precision matters (for example, if you're blocking social media for work focus), adding individual sites is more reliable.

What happens when someone tries to visit a blocked website

When a user tries to load a blocked site, Safari or their browser shows a message saying "This website is restricted" and offers a button to "Ask for Permission." If a Screen Time passcode is set, they can tap that button to send a notification to whoever set the passcode, asking to unblock the site temporarily.

The person who set the passcode receives a notification and can approve or deny the request. If approved, the site unlocks for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, it blocks again automatically. This feature is useful if you're managing a child's device and want to allow occasional exceptions without removing the block entirely.

If no passcode is set, the "Ask for Permission" button won't appear — the site straightforward won't load, and there's no way around it without changing the Screen Time settings directly.

Blocking websites on someone else's iPhone

If you're setting up blocks on a child's device or a device you manage, the process is the same, but the passcode is critical. Set a Screen Time passcode that only you know. Without it, anyone with access to the phone can disable Screen Time and remove all blocks.

You can also use Family Sharing to manage Screen Time across multiple devices. Go to Settings, tap your name, then Family Sharing. Add family members and set up Screen Time for each person. This way, you can manage restrictions on your child's iPhone from your own device, and you can see Screen Time reports showing how much time they spend on different apps and websites.

If you're managing a device for someone else and they forget the Screen Time passcode, you cannot reset it remotely. The device owner will need to go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings, which erases Screen Time but keeps their data and apps intact. Alternatively, they can contact Apple Support for help.

Other ways to block websites on iPhone

Third-party apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, and 1Blocker offer more advanced blocking features, such as scheduling blocks for certain times of day or blocking sites on a network level (so they're blocked on any device connected to your Wi-Fi). These apps cost money — usually $5 to $15 per month — and require you to install them and grant them permission to filter your traffic.

For most people, Screen Time is enough. It's free, built in, and doesn't require managing another app. Third-party apps are worth considering only if you need features Screen Time doesn't have, like time-based blocking (block a site only during work hours, for example) or blocking across multiple devices at once.

You can also block websites at the router level by logging into your Wi-Fi router's settings and adding sites to its blocklist. This blocks the sites for anyone on that network, not just one device. It's more technical to set up and requires you to know your router's admin password, but it's harder to bypass because the block happens before the traffic reaches any device.

What to do if you forget your Screen Time passcode

If you set a Screen Time passcode and forget it, you cannot retrieve it or reset it without erasing your iPhone's settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This removes all your custom settings, including Screen Time, but keeps your apps, photos, and data intact.

After the reset, Screen Time will be off, and you can set it up again with a new passcode. If you're managing a child's device and don't have access to it, contact Apple Support — they may be able to help, but the process usually requires proof that you own the device.

To avoid this problem, write your Screen Time passcode down and store it somewhere find, like a password manager or a locked drawer. Do not use a passcode you use for anything else, in case someone guesses it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass a blocked website on iPhone?

If a Screen Time passcode is set, they cannot bypass it without the passcode. If no passcode is set, they can turn off Screen Time in Settings and remove all blocks. They could also use a VPN app to hide their traffic, though many VPNs are blocked by Screen Time's app restrictions. For strong enforcement, set a passcode and monitor Screen Time reports regularly.

Do blocked websites show up in Safari history?

No. When a site is blocked, the browser doesn't load it at all, so it won't appear in your browsing history. This means you won't see a record of someone trying to visit a blocked site unless they ask for permission and you receive a notification.

Will blocking a website block it in apps too?

Screen Time website blocks only affect Safari and other web browsers. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, or Reddit have their own content and won't be blocked by website restrictions. If you want to limit app use, go to Screen Time > App Limits and set time limits for specific apps instead.

Can I block websites only during certain hours?

Screen Time's built-in website blocking is always on — it doesn't have a scheduling feature. If you need time-based blocking (for example, block social media during work hours but allow it at night), you'll need a third-party app like Freedom or Cold Turkey, which cost money but offer that flexibility.

What's the difference between "Limit Adult Websites" and "Allowed Websites Only"?

"Limit Adult Websites" blocks known adult content but allows most other sites. "Allowed Websites Only" blocks everything except sites you manually add to the allow list. Use "Limit Adult Websites" for general filtering; use "Allowed Websites Only" if you want strict control, like for a young child or a work device.