Maybe you’re trying to stop a gambling habit. Or perhaps your kid keeps finding "weird" corners of the internet that they definitely shouldn’t be seeing during homework time. Honestly, we’ve all been there. The modern web is a minefield of distractions and straight-up garbage, and knowing how to block website on iPhone isn't just a technical skill—it’s a digital survival tactic.
It’s actually pretty easy once you find where Apple hides the settings. They don’t call it "blocking." They tuck it away under a feature called Screen Time. It’s been around for years, but the menus are kinda clunky if you don't know exactly what you're looking for.
The Screen Time method is the gold standard
Forget third-party apps for a second. Most of those "blocker" apps you see in the App Store are just overpriced subscriptions that do exactly what your iPhone can already do for free.
Open up your Settings app. Look for the purple hourglass icon labeled Screen Time. If you haven't turned it on yet, you’ll need to tap "Turn On Screen Time" and follow the prompts. Once you're inside, you need to find Content & Privacy Restrictions. This is the control center for everything your phone is allowed—and not allowed—to do.
Flip the toggle at the top to on. Now, tap on Content Restrictions, and then Web Content.
You have choices here. You can choose "Limit Adult Websites," which uses Apple's own database to automatically filter out the "not-safe-for-work" stuff. But if you have a specific URL in mind—like a news site that makes you angry or a shopping site that drains your bank account—you want the "Never Allow" section. Tap Add Website, type in the URL, and you're basically done.
The phone won't even let the page load. It just shows a message saying the site is restricted.
Why a passcode is actually mandatory
Here’s the thing. If you’re blocking these sites for yourself, you’re going to be tempted to just go back into settings and delete the restriction the second you want a hit of dopamine. We're only human.
To make this stick, you need a Screen Time Passcode.
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Set a four-digit code that is different from your phone unlock code. If you’re doing this for a child, obviously don't tell them the code. If you’re doing it for yourself to break a bad habit, give the code to a spouse or a trusted friend. Better yet, write it down on a piece of paper and hide it in the garage.
Without that code, those blocked websites are going to stay blocked, no matter how much you crave a scroll through a forbidden forum at 2:00 AM.
Moving beyond Safari: The DNS trick
Apple's built-in tools are great, but they mostly focus on Safari. What if you use Chrome? Or Brave? Or what if you want to block trackers and ads at the same time?
This is where things get a bit more "pro." You can change your DNS (Domain Name System) settings. Think of DNS like a phonebook for the internet. When you type in a URL, the DNS tells your phone which IP address to go to. If you use a filtered DNS, the phonebook simply "forgets" the address for the sites you want to avoid.
Cloudflare and NextDNS
Cloudflare offers a service called 1.1.1.1 for Families. It’s incredibly fast and blocks malware and adult content automatically.
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap the little "i" icon next to your network.
- Scroll down to Configure DNS and switch it to Manual.
- Add the Cloudflare IPs (like 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3).
Honestly, if you want more control, NextDNS is the way to go. It’s like a firewall in the cloud. You can go to their website, create a profile, and literally toggle switches for "Block TikTok" or "Block Tinder" or "Block Roblox." You then download a small configuration profile to your iPhone, and it applies those rules across every single app and browser on the device. It’s powerful. It’s also slightly terrifying how much control you have.
The nuclear option: Allowed Websites Only
Sometimes, blocking one or two sites isn't enough. If you’re setting up a phone for a very young child, you might want to use the "Allowed Websites Only" setting.
This flips the script. Instead of the internet being wide open except for a few blocked spots, the internet is completely shut down except for the few sites you explicitly permit. You can add PBS Kids, Disney, and their school portal, and that’s it. Everything else results in a dead end.
It’s restrictive. It’s aggressive. But it’s the only way to be 100% sure they aren't stumbling into something they can't unsee.
Dealing with the bypasses
Kids are smart. Like, really smart.
They’ve figured out that they can sometimes bypass website blocks by using Google Translate as a proxy or by opening links inside other apps like Discord or Telegram. To truly know how to block website on iPhone effectively, you have to close these loopholes.
In that same Content & Privacy Restrictions menu where we were earlier, you can actually prevent the installation of new apps. If they can’t download a new VPN or a different browser, they can’t circumvent the rules you’ve put in place.
Also, keep an eye on "App Limits." You can block a website, but if the service has an app (like Instagram or YouTube), blocking the website in Safari won't do anything to stop the app from working. You have to block the app category or set a 1-minute time limit on the specific app itself.
Reality check: Technology isn't a parent
Let's be real for a second. No software is perfect.
Apple’s "Limit Adult Content" filter is pretty good, but it misses things. New websites pop up every single day. If someone is determined enough, they might find a way around your blocks.
The goal here isn't to create an unbreakable digital prison. It’s to create friction. Usually, just having that "This site is restricted" message pop up is enough to make a person stop and think, "Oh yeah, I shouldn't be doing this." It breaks the cycle of mindless clicking.
Actionable Next Steps
To get your iPhone locked down right now, follow this specific order of operations:
- Audit your usage: Go to Screen Time and see which sites are actually eating your time. Don't guess. Look at the data.
- Enable Screen Time: Set a passcode that you won't easily guess (or one you don't even know).
- Use Web Content filtering: Start with "Limit Adult Websites" and manually add your "problem" URLs to the Never Allow list.
- Install a DNS profile: If you need device-wide blocking that Safari settings can't handle, set up a free NextDNS account and install the configuration profile.
- Restrict App Store changes: Go to "iTunes & App Store Purchases" inside Screen Time and set "Installing Apps" to "Don't Allow" to prevent people from downloading "workaround" browsers.
- Check periodically: Settings can sometimes get toggled off during iOS updates. Do a quick check once a month to make sure your blocklist is still active and the passcode hasn't been bypassed.
Blocking a website isn't about being "mean" or "controlling." It’s about taking back control of your attention in a world that is designed to steal it. Start with the built-in Apple tools, and only move to more complex DNS solutions if you find yourself (or your kids) consistently finding cracks in the armor.