How to Block a Website on iPhone: Taking Control of Your Digital Space

I've been helping people manage their digital lives for over a decade, and one question keeps popping up with surprising frequency: how do you actually block websites on an iPhone? It's funny how Apple, a company that prides itself on user control and privacy, makes this particular task feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces.

The truth is, there's no single "block website" button hiding in your iPhone settings. Instead, Apple has scattered the tools across different features, each with its own quirks and limitations. After years of experimenting with every method available, I've discovered that the approach you choose depends entirely on what you're trying to achieve.

The Built-in Screen Time Method

Screen Time became my go-to recommendation when Apple introduced it back in iOS 12. It's not perfect—far from it, actually—but it's baked right into your iPhone, which means no extra apps cluttering your home screen.

To set it up, you'll navigate to Settings, then Screen Time. If you haven't enabled it yet, you'll need to tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose whether this is your device or your child's. Here's where it gets interesting: Apple assumes most people blocking websites are parents, so the interface reflects that bias.

Once you're in, tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and toggle it on. You'll be prompted to create a Screen Time passcode—make it different from your device passcode, trust me on this one. I learned that lesson the hard way when my nephew figured out they were the same and went on a YouTube binge.

Under "Content Restrictions," select "Web Content." You've got three options here, but "Limit Adult Websites" is where the magic happens. This automatically blocks thousands of adult sites, but more importantly, it lets you add specific websites to either an "Always Allow" or "Never Allow" list.

The process of adding sites to the block list is... well, it's classic Apple. You tap "Add Website" under the "Never Allow" section and type in the URL. But here's the catch: you need to be precise. Blocking "facebook.com" won't automatically block "m.facebook.com" or "web.facebook.com." Each variation needs its own entry. I spent an embarrassing amount of time figuring this out when I was trying to focus on a writing project last year.

The Safari-Specific Approach

Sometimes you don't need a sledgehammer when a scalpel will do. If you're only concerned about Safari browsing, there's a lighter touch available through the browser's own settings.

In Settings, scroll down to Safari and look for "Content Blockers." This feature works with third-party apps from the App Store, but it's primarily designed for ad blocking rather than website blocking. Still, some content blocker apps include website blocking functionality as a bonus feature.

What I find particularly clever about this approach is that it only affects Safari. If you're someone who uses Chrome or Firefox on your iPhone (yes, we exist), those browsers remain untouched. It's like having a designated "work browser" and a "personal browser"—a separation I've found surprisingly effective for maintaining focus.

The Nuclear Option: Restrictions Through Your Router

Here's where we venture into territory that Apple would probably prefer we didn't discuss. Every website request from your iPhone eventually passes through your Wi-Fi router, and most modern routers include parental controls or access restrictions.

The beauty of router-level blocking is its comprehensiveness. Block Facebook on your router, and it's blocked on every device connected to your network, regardless of browser or app. The downside? It only works when you're connected to that specific Wi-Fi network. The moment you switch to cellular data or connect to a different network, those restrictions vanish like morning mist.

Setting this up varies wildly depending on your router manufacturer. Generally, you'll need to access your router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser), find the parental controls or access restrictions section, and add the websites you want to block. Some routers make this surprisingly intuitive; others feel like they were designed by someone who actively hates their users.

Third-Party Apps: The Wild West

The App Store offers dozens of website blocking apps, each promising to be the ultimate solution. I've tested most of them, and the results are... mixed. Some work brilliantly, others are barely functional, and a concerning number seem more interested in collecting your browsing data than actually blocking websites.

The best third-party blockers typically use one of two approaches: they either create a VPN connection that filters your traffic, or they use Safari's Content Blocker API. VPN-based blockers are more thorough but can slow down your connection and drain your battery. Content Blocker-based apps are lighter but only work in Safari.

One app I've found reasonably effective uses iOS's supervised mode—a feature typically reserved for corporate or educational devices. It requires you to create a special profile for your device, which gives the app deeper system access. It's powerful but feels a bit like performing surgery with a chainsaw.

The Psychology Behind the Block

After years of helping people block websites, I've noticed something interesting: the act of blocking often matters more than the block itself. There's something psychologically powerful about taking that active step to remove a distraction from your life.

I remember when I first blocked Reddit during work hours. Did I occasionally find workarounds? Sure. But the extra friction—having to consciously bypass my own restrictions—was usually enough to snap me back to awareness. "Oh right, I'm supposed to be working."

This is why I often recommend starting with the simplest blocking method that creates enough friction for your needs. You don't need an impenetrable fortress; you need a speed bump that makes you pause and reconsider.

The Limitations Nobody Talks About

Here's the uncomfortable truth: determined users can bypass almost any website block on an iPhone. Switch to cellular data, use a VPN, access the site through a different app, or simply use another device entirely. If someone really wants to access a blocked website, they'll find a way.

This reality check isn't meant to discourage you from blocking websites—it's meant to set appropriate expectations. Website blocking is a tool for self-management and helping children develop healthy internet habits. It's not a maximum-security prison for your digital life.

I've also noticed that iOS updates occasionally break blocking methods. A technique that worked perfectly in iOS 15 might fail in iOS 16. Apple doesn't seem particularly invested in making website blocking easier or more reliable, possibly because it conflicts with their vision of the open web.

Making It Stick

The most successful website blocking setup I've ever implemented combined multiple methods. I used Screen Time for system-wide blocking, a router-level block for home network protection, and a focus app for temporary blocks during deep work sessions.

But the technical setup was only half the equation. The other half was understanding why I wanted to block these sites in the first place. Was it to improve productivity? To break an unhealthy habit? To protect my mental health from doom-scrolling? Having a clear purpose made it easier to respect my own boundaries.

I also learned to be realistic about what blocking could and couldn't do. It couldn't eliminate temptation entirely, but it could add enough friction to break the automatic reach for distraction. It couldn't force me to be productive, but it could remove one significant obstacle to productivity.

The Future of Digital Boundaries

As I write this, Apple continues to evolve iOS with each update, occasionally adding new features that affect website blocking. The introduction of Focus modes in iOS 15, for example, opened up new possibilities for context-aware blocking—though it still doesn't directly block websites.

What strikes me most about this whole ecosystem is how it reflects our complicated relationship with the internet. We want unfettered access to information, but we also want protection from our own worst impulses. We want our devices to be powerful and flexible, but we also want simple tools to set boundaries.

The methods I've outlined here work today, but the landscape will undoubtedly shift. New iOS versions will break old methods and potentially introduce new ones. Third-party apps will come and go. What remains constant is the need for intentional boundaries in our digital lives.

Whether you're blocking social media to focus on work, restricting certain content for your children, or simply trying to break a compulsive browsing habit, remember that the perfect block doesn't exist. What exists are tools—imperfect, sometimes frustrating tools—that can help you shape your digital environment to better serve your goals.

The real power isn't in the blocking itself; it's in the conscious decision to take control of your digital experience. Even if the methods are clunky and the workarounds are obvious, that act of intention matters. It's a declaration that you, not your devices or the websites vying for your attention, get to decide how you spend your time.

Start with Screen Time if you want something built-in and reasonably effective. Explore third-party apps if you need more features. Consider router-level blocking if you want household-wide protection. But whatever method you choose, remember that you're not aiming for perfection—you're aiming for progress.

Authoritative Sources:

Apple Inc. iPhone User Guide for iOS 15. Apple Inc., 2021.

Gazzaley, Adam, and Larry D. Rosen. The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World. MIT Press, 2016.

Newport, Cal. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Portfolio, 2019.

Twenge, Jean M. iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. Atria Books, 2017.