How to Block Websites on iPhone: 2026 Guide

Blocking websites on an iPhone has become an essential feature for parents, professionals, students, and anyone who wants better control over online habits. With growing screen time, easy access to distracting platforms, and concerns around inappropriate content, iPhone website blocking is no longer just a parental tool. It is a productivity and safety feature used by millions of users worldwide.

Apple has made it possible to block websites on iPhone using built in tools without relying on third party apps. These tools work at the system level, which means once a website is blocked, it cannot be accessed through Safari, Chrome, or any other browser installed on the device. This makes iPhone website block settings reliable, secure, and difficult to bypass.

In this detailed 2026 guide, we explain how to block websites on iPhone step by step. We cover how to block certain websites on iPhone, how to block websites on Safari iPhone, how to block inappropriate websites on iPhone, and how to block websites on iPhone permanently. We also answer common questions like can you block websites on iPhone and explain alternative methods for advanced users.

Can You Block Websites on iPhone

Yes, you can block websites on iPhone easily without installing any third party application. Apple provides powerful website blocking options through Screen Time settings. These settings are available on all modern iPhones and are updated regularly with each iOS release.

iPhone website blocking works across the entire system. This means that once a website is blocked, it will not open in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser app. It also prevents access to blocked websites inside apps that open web content internally.

This system level approach is what makes iPhone website block settings so effective. Users who ask can you block websites on iPhone often assume extra apps are required, but Apple has already built everything directly into iOS.

Why People Want to Block Websites on iPhone

There are many reasons why people want to block a website on an iPhone. Parents want to protect children from harmful content. Professionals want to avoid distractions during work hours. Students want to stay focused while studying. Some users want to block gambling or adult websites permanently to build better habits.

Blocking websites on iPhone also helps reduce screen time, save mobile data, and improve mental health. With the right iPhone website block settings, we stay in control instead of letting the internet control us.

How to Block Certain Websites on iPhone

iPhone includes a built in Screen Time feature that helps control website access easily. Using this feature, you can block unwanted or distracting websites without installing any extra apps. It works across all browsers and helps maintain focus, safety, and better device usage.

Step 1: Open Screen Time

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Screen Time. If Screen Time is not already enabled, tap Turn On Screen Time and follow the simple instructions shown on the screen to activate it.

Step 2: Enable Content Restrictions

Inside Screen Time settings, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. Turn the toggle on at the top of the screen. This step is important because it allows the iPhone to block websites and restrict other types of content.

Step 3: Open Web Content Settings

Tap Content Restrictions, then choose Web Content. This section controls which websites can be accessed on the iPhone. From here, you can allow all sites, limit certain content, or block specific websites completely.

Step 4: Choose Limit Adult Websites

Select Limit Adult Websites. This option automatically blocks adult content and also unlocks the option to manually block any website you choose. It is useful for both personal focus and parental control.

Step 5: Add Websites to Never Allow

Scroll down to the Never Allow section and tap Add Website. Enter the full website address, such as www.facebook.com, and tap Done. The added website will now be blocked on the iPhone.

Step 6: Website Is Now Blocked

After adding the website, it will not open in Safari, Chrome, or any other browser on the iPhone. If someone tries to access the blocked site, the page will be restricted automatically.

How to Block Websites on Safari iPhone

Blocking websites on Safari on an iPhone is simple using the built-in Screen Time feature. First, go to Settings and tap Screen Time. If it’s not already enabled, turn it on and create a Screen Time passcode. Next, select Content & Privacy Restrictions and enable it. Then, tap Content Restrictions → Web Content. Here, you can choose Limit Adult Websites to automatically block inappropriate sites or Allowed Websites Only to allow only specific sites. To block a specific site, scroll down to Never Allow and tap Add Website, then enter the URL you want to block.

Once set, Safari will restrict access to blocked sites immediately. You can always manage or remove websites from this list by returning to Web Content. Remember, these restrictions work only on Safari and apps using Safari for browsing. This helps parents control children’s internet use or limit distractions for yourself.

How to Block Inappropriate Websites on iPhone

Blocking inappropriate websites on an iPhone is important, especially for protecting children from unsafe content online. Apple provides built-in tools in iOS that make it simple to restrict access to adult websites or control what can be accessed.

Steps to Access Web Content Settings:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Screen Time.
(If Screen Time is not enabled, you’ll need to turn it on and set a passcode to prevent changes.)
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle it On.
4. Tap Content Restrictions.
5. Select Web Content. Here you will see two main options to block websites:

1. Limit Adult Websites

• Choosing this option blocks access to thousands of adult and inappropriate websites automatically.
• Apple uses smart filters to detect unsafe content.
• You can manually add specific websites to either the Always Allow or Never Allow lists.
  
  • Always Allow: Websites you trust will always load, even if they might otherwise be blocked.
  • Never Allow: Websites you don’t want anyone to access can be added here.

Use Case: This option is ideal for teenagers or older children, where some internet access is allowed but adult or unsafe sites are blocked automatically.

2. Allowed Websites Only

This is the most strict website restriction on an iPhone. When this setting is turned on:

• Only websites you manually approve can be accessed.
• All other websites are blocked, even if they are safe or educational.
• To allow a website, you must add its URL to the Allowed list. Any site not on this list will automatically be blocked.

Example: If you add only www.kidslearning.com and www.nationalgeographic.com/kids, your child can only visit these two sites. Any other website, including YouTube or Google, will not load.

Use Case: This setting is perfect for:

• Younger children who should only access safe, curated websites.
• Highly controlled environments like classrooms or shared devices where unrestricted browsing is not allowed.

Tip: You can combine this with Screen Time passcode so children cannot change the allowed websites.

3. Additional Tips for Blocking Websites on iPhone

1. Regularly Review Allowed and Blocked Sites: Children may discover new websites or ways to bypass restrictions. It’s important to check your Allowed and Never Allow lists regularly to ensure only safe websites are accessible. This helps maintain control over what content they can visit.
2. Use a Screen Time Passcode: Set a Screen Time passcode to prevent children from changing the website restrictions or removing limits. This ensures the controls you set remain effective and cannot be altered without permission.
3. Combine with Other Restrictions: You can also limit app usage and purchases under Screen Time for added control.

How to Block Websites on iPhone Permanently

Blocking websites on an iPhone can be necessary for parental control, personal productivity, or to prevent distractions. iOS provides built-in features like Screen Time, and there are third-party apps for more control. Follow these steps carefully to make the block permanent.

1. Using Screen Time to Block Websites Permanently

iPhone’s Screen Time is the most reliable built-in way to block websites. Once a passcode is set, no one can remove the block without it.

Step 1: Enable Screen Time

• Open Settings → scroll down and tap Screen Time.
• Tap Turn On Screen Time → tap Continue → select This is My iPhone (or This is My Child’s iPhone if it’s for parental control).

Step 2: Set a Screen Time Passcode

• Tap Use Screen Time Passcode → enter a 4-digit code.
• Why it’s important: Without this passcode, anyone can remove restrictions. Make it something only you know.

Step 3: Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions

• In Screen Time, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• Turn on the toggle at the top.
• Tap Content Restrictions → Web Content.

Step 4: Choose How to Block

You have three options under Web Content:

• Unrestricted Access: everyone can access all websites.
• Limit Adult Websites: automatically blocks adult content, plus you can add specific sites manually.
• Allowed Websites Only: only websites you add are accessible; all others are blocked.

Tip: For permanent blocks, Limit Adult Websites with manually added URLs works best.

Step 5: Protect the Settings

• Don’t share the Screen Time passcode.
• If someone tries to bypass it by deleting Safari or resetting iPhone settings, you can also block changes: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Allow Changes → Account Changes / Cellular Data Changes → Don’t Allow

2. Third-Party Apps for Permanent Website Blocking

Sometimes, built-in iPhone restrictions are not enough. For advanced control, apps provide stronger website blocking across all apps and networks.

App	Key Features
Freedom	Blocks websites and apps across all devices; works on Wi-Fi and cellular
Qustodio	Parental control, detailed website filtering, activity reports
Net Nanny	Blocks inappropriate content, social media, and streaming websites

These apps are harder to bypass than Screen Time, especially with VPN or private browsing.

3. Disable Browsers (Optional Extreme Step)

Sometimes, even if you block websites using Screen Time, a person could install a new browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) and use it to visit blocked sites. To prevent this completely, you can disable all browsers and prevent new browsers from being installed.

Step 1: Turn Off Safari

• Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• Tap Allowed Apps.
• Find Safari in the list and turn it off.

✅ What this does: Safari will disappear from the iPhone. No one can open it to access the internet.

Step 2: Prevent New Browsers from Being Installed

• While still in Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions, go to iTunes & App Store Purchases.
• Tap Installing Apps → Don’t Allow.

✅ What this does: No new apps, including browsers like Chrome or Firefox, can be downloaded.

Step 3: Result

• With Safari disabled and no new apps allowed, the iPhone cannot be used to access websites at all.
• This is the most extreme method to make website blocking permanent.

Basically, no one can visit websites at all, even if they try tricks like private browsing or installing a new browser.

How to Block a Website on iPhone for Specific Apps

Blocking a website on an iPhone for specific apps is a bit tricky because iOS doesn’t natively allow app-specific website restrictions. You can block websites system-wide, but targeting individual apps usually requires third-party tools or settings tweaks. Here’s a clear explanation of your options:

1. Use Screen Time to Block Websites on iPhone

iPhone has a built-in feature called Screen Time. It lets you block websites on your device. This will affect all apps that open websites, like Safari or apps that use web views.

Steps to Block a Website:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it On.
4. Tap Content Restrictions → then Web Content.
5. Choose one of these options:

• Limit Adult Websites → automatically blocks adult websites, and you can add other websites manually.
• Allowed Websites Only → only the websites you add will be accessible.

6. To block a specific website:

• Tap Add Website under Never Allow.
• Type the website URL (for example, www.example.com).

Important Note:

This method blocks the website everywhere on your iPhone. You cannot block it in only one app all apps that can open websites will be blocked.

Option 2: Using Third-Party Apps for App-Specific Website Blocking

If you want to block websites in only certain apps, such as YouTube, Chrome, or TikTok, you need third-party parental control or web filtering apps.

Popular Apps:

• Qustodio
• Mobicip
• Net Nanny

How It Works:

1. Install the app from the App Store.
2. Create a profile for your iPhone.
3. Open the app and go to Web Filtering or Rules.
4. Add the websites you want to block.
5. Assign the rule to specific apps, if the app supports it.

Some apps can block websites inside browsers used by other apps, like TikTok or YouTube, while leaving other apps unaffected.

Pro Tip: Some of these apps may ask you to install a VPN profile on your iPhone. This is normal and is needed to filter web traffic across apps on iOS.

Option 3: Using Guided Access for Temporary Blocking

Guided Access does not block websites directly, but it lets you control which parts of an app can be tapped or used. This is useful if you want to limit access to certain features temporarily.

Steps to Use Guided Access:

1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access and turn it On.
2. Open the app you want to restrict.
3. Triple-click the side button (or home button on older iPhones) to start Guided Access.
4. Use the screen overlay to block parts of the app, such as a search bar or web view.
5. Tap Start to activate the restriction.

Limitation:

• Guided Access only limits interaction with parts of the app temporarily.
• It does not block websites or URLs, so it is not a permanent website-blocking solution.

Option 4: Block Websites Through Your Wi-Fi Router

Instead of blocking websites on the iPhone itself, you can use your Wi-Fi router to control internet access. This works when your iPhone is connected to your home Wi-Fi.

How You Can Do It:

• Log in to your Wi-Fi router’s settings (usually through a web browser or an app).
• Look for Parental Controls, Access Restrictions, or Website Filtering.
• Add the websites you want to block.
• Some routers allow you to apply the block to only your iPhone, so other devices like laptops or tablets can still access the sites.

Is iPhone Website Blocking Safe and Private

Yes, iPhone website blocking is safe and private. The feature, managed through Screen Time, allows users to restrict access to certain websites directly on the device. All settings are stored locally and linked to your Apple ID, ensuring they are tied to your account and device without sharing personal browsing data with third parties. 

Apple emphasizes privacy, so blocked websites and usage patterns remain confidential. This makes it a secure solution for parents who want to manage children’s internet access or for individuals looking to limit distractions. Additionally, you can customize the restrictions, set time limits, and apply them across all Apple devices linked to the same account. Overall, iPhone website blocking provides a safe, private, and controlled browsing environment.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to block websites on iPhone gives us more control over time, safety, and focus. Whether the goal is to block inappropriate websites on iPhone, block certain websites on iPhone for productivity, or create a child safe browsing environment, Apple provides strong tools.

By using Screen Time correctly, we can block websites on iPhone permanently and enjoy a safer and more focused digital life. This method is simple, effective, and works across Safari and most other browsers.

If used consistently, iPhone website blocking becomes a powerful habit building tool rather than just a restriction.

Also Read: How to Clear Cache on iPhone: Complete Guide 2026

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)