How to Block Websites on iPhone and iPad (2026)

Blocking websites on iPhone and iPad is different from desktop. Apple locks down iOS — no hosts file, no browser engine alternatives, no system-level third-party blockers. Every browser on iOS uses WebKit under the hood, which means Apple’s built-in tools actually work across all browsers.

The good news: that same lockdown makes blocking more effective once you set it up. There’s no “install a different browser” workaround.

This guide covers every working method, from the simplest to the most robust.

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Quick Comparison

Method	Difficulty	Blocks All Browsers	Blocks Apps	Bypass Difficulty
Screen Time	Easy	Yes	Yes	Medium
NextDNS / DNS filter	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Hard
Safari Content Blockers	Easy	Safari only	No	Low
Guided Access	Easy	N/A (locks one app)	Yes	Hard
MDM Profiles	Advanced	Yes	Yes	Very hard

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Method 1: Screen Time (Built-in, Best Starting Point)

Screen Time is Apple’s built-in parental control and self-control tool. On iOS, it’s more powerful than its macOS counterpart because all browsers are forced to use WebKit — so web content restrictions apply everywhere, not only Safari.

How to Block Specific Websites

Step 1: Open Settings → Screen Time. If Screen Time isn’t enabled, tap Turn On Screen Time and follow the prompts.

Step 2: Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then toggle it on.

Step 3: Tap Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content (iOS 18+) or Content Restrictions (older versions).

Step 4: Tap Web Content and choose Limit Adult Websites. This enables the customizable blocklist.

Step 5: Under Never Allow, tap Add Website and enter the domain you want to block (e.g., reddit.com, tiktok.com, instagram.com).

Step 6: Repeat for each site you want to block.

For maximum control: Choose Allowed Websites Only instead of Limit Adult Websites. This blocks every site except the ones you manually approve — useful for children’s devices or extreme focus sessions.

How to Block Apps With Screen Time

Step 1: Go to Settings → Screen Time → App Limits.

Step 2: Tap Add Limit, select a category (like Social or Entertainment) or pick specific apps.

Step 3: Set a daily time limit. For an effective block, set it to 1 minute — once the minute is used, the app is locked for the rest of the day.

The Passcode Trick (For Self-Control)

If you’re blocking sites for yourself, you’ll override Screen Time the moment you feel the urge — unless you don’t have the passcode.

1. Ask someone you trust (partner, friend, roommate) to set the Screen Time passcode
2. They enter a 4-digit code you don’t know
3. You can’t disable restrictions without that code

This single step turns Screen Time from a suggestion into a real barrier. It’s the most effective free method on iOS.

Limitations

• The passcode can be reset via Apple ID (your Apple ID, not the passcode holder’s) — so a determined user can still bypass it
• App Limits show a “remind me in 15 minutes” option unless you enable Block at End of Limit
• No scheduling by time of day (you can’t automatically block sites during work hours only)
• Some apps with built-in browsers (like Reddit’s in-app browser) may not be caught by web content restrictions

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Method 2: DNS Filtering (Network-Level, Hard to Bypass)

DNS filtering blocks websites before they load — at the network level, not the browser level. When your iPhone tries to resolve a domain like tiktok.com, the DNS filter returns nothing. The site never loads, in any browser, in any app.

This is harder to bypass than Screen Time because it works outside the browser entirely. Apps that connect directly to blocked domains also fail.

Option A: NextDNS (Recommended)

NextDNS is a cloud DNS filter with a free tier (300,000 queries/month) and a paid plan ($20/year) for unlimited use.

Setup:

1. Go to nextdns.io and create a free account
2. In the dashboard, go to Denylist and add the domains you want to block (tiktok.com, reddit.com, instagram.com, etc.)
3. Or use the Parental Control tab to block entire categories (social media, gaming, adult content)
4. Go to the Setup tab and tap the iOS link
5. Download and install the NextDNS configuration profile — this routes all DNS queries through NextDNS
6. On your iPhone, go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management and trust the profile

Why it’s effective: The profile installs a DNS configuration that applies system-wide. Unlike a VPN, it only handles DNS queries — so there’s zero performance impact. Blocking works in all browsers, all apps, even system-level connections.

Limitations: Requires the profile to stay installed. Someone with the device passcode can remove the profile in Settings. For children’s devices, combine with Screen Time restrictions on profile installation.

Option B: Cloudflare Gateway (Free)

Cloudflare Gateway offers free DNS filtering through the 1.1.1.1 app.

1. Download the 1.1.1.1 app from the App Store
2. Create a Cloudflare Zero Trust account (free for up to 50 users)
3. Configure Gateway policies to block specific domains or categories
4. Connect the app to your Gateway account

This is more complex to set up than NextDNS but completely free with no query limits.

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Method 3: Safari Content Blockers (Safari Only)

Content blockers are Safari extensions that filter web content using rules. Several free options exist on the App Store.

Recommended Content Blockers

• 1Blocker — block custom URLs, ads, trackers. Free tier available, $15/year for full features.
• Ka-Block! — free, open-source content blocker.

How to Enable

1. Install the content blocker app from the App Store
2. Go to Settings → Apps → Safari → Extensions
3. Toggle on the content blocker
4. Open the app and configure your blocklist

Limitations

• Safari only. Chrome, Firefox, and in-app browsers are not affected.
• Easy to bypass: toggle off the extension in Settings.
• Limited blocking logic — most content blockers are designed for ads, not self-control.

For blocking across all browsers, use Screen Time or DNS filtering instead. See our guide on how to block websites on Chrome for browser-specific methods on desktop.

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Method 4: Guided Access (Lock Into One App)

Guided Access isn’t a website blocker — it locks the iPhone into a single app. No switching, no notifications, no home button. It’s useful when you need to stay in one app (like a study app or work tool) without the option of opening anything else.

How to Set It Up

Step 1: Go to Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access and toggle it on.

Step 2: Set a passcode (use one someone else chooses if you’re doing this for self-control).

Step 3: Open the app you want to lock into.

Step 4: Triple-click the side button (or home button). Tap Guided Access → Start.

Step 5: The iPhone is now locked to that app. Triple-click and enter the passcode to exit.

When to Use

• Handing your phone to a child who should only use one app
• Study sessions where you need to stay in a reading or note-taking app
• Work focus blocks where you want to be locked into Slack or your task manager

This doesn’t block websites — it blocks everything except one app. For website-specific blocking, use Screen Time or DNS filtering.

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Method 5: MDM Profiles (Schools and Businesses)

Mobile Device Management profiles are the strongest blocking method on iOS. They’re used by schools and companies to enforce device policies — including website restrictions, app installation limits, and configuration locks.

MDM profiles can:

• Block specific websites and categories across all apps
• Prevent users from removing the profile
• Disable the ability to install new apps
• Lock Screen Time settings so they can’t be changed

How to Get an MDM Profile

• Schools: Devices enrolled in Apple School Manager get MDM profiles automatically
• Businesses: IT teams use tools like Jamf, Mosyle, or Apple Business Manager
• Families: Apple Configurator 2 (free, Mac only) can create basic configuration profiles

MDM is overkill for personal use but the only option that’s truly tamper-proof on iOS.

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Which Method Should You Choose?

Blocking for yourself: Screen Time with a passcode held by someone else + NextDNS for network-level backup. This combination covers browsers, apps, and direct connections.

Blocking for a child: Screen Time (Allowed Websites Only mode) + DNS filter + disable profile installation in Screen Time. Consider MDM if your child is tech-savvy.

Blocking for focus/work: DNS filter with scheduled blocking (NextDNS supports time-based rules) or Screen Time App Limits on distracting apps.

Strongest possible setup: MDM profile with website restrictions + DNS filter. This is what schools use — and it works.

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What About Browwwser?

Browwwser is a Chromium-based browser with website and app blocking built into the browser engine. It’s the strongest option for macOS — but it doesn’t run on iOS. Apple requires all iOS browsers to use WebKit, which makes a custom browser engine impossible on iPhone and iPad.

For Mac users, Browwwser blocks sites at the engine level with no extension to disable, no workaround, and a lock mode that holds for up to 7 days. If you need blocking that holds when your willpower doesn’t, Browwwser removes the option of overriding yourself.

For iPhone and iPad, the methods in this guide — especially Screen Time + DNS filtering — are your best options.

If you also use a Mac for work, combining Browwwser on Mac with Screen Time + DNS on your iPhone gives you coverage across all your devices.

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FAQ

Does Screen Time block websites in Chrome on iPhone?

Yes. Screen Time’s web content restrictions on iOS apply to all browsers — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and any app that loads web content. Apple requires all iOS browsers to use WebKit, so Screen Time filtering works universally.

Can my child bypass Screen Time website blocking?

It’s difficult but not impossible. Known workarounds include using iMessage link previews, certain apps with built-in browsers, or resetting the device. For stronger protection, combine Screen Time with a DNS filter like NextDNS so blocked sites are also stopped at the network level.

What is the best way to block websites on iPhone for yourself?

Give your Screen Time passcode to someone you trust. Without the passcode, you can’t override restrictions. For extra protection, add a DNS profile like NextDNS that blocks distracting categories even outside Safari.

Do DNS filters slow down my iPhone?

No. DNS filtering adds less than 1ms of latency per request. Services like NextDNS and Cloudflare Gateway are specifically optimized for speed. You won’t notice any difference in browsing or app performance.

Can I block specific apps on iPhone without Screen Time?

Not easily. Apple doesn’t allow third-party apps to close or block other apps on iOS. Screen Time is the only built-in method. Some MDM solutions used by schools and businesses can restrict apps, but they require device enrollment.