How to Block Websites on iPhone: 5 Proven Methods

While smartphones empower us with incredible capabilities, they can also become major sources of distraction in our increasingly connected lives.

Whether you're a professional aiming to maximize productivity or a parent looking to create a safer online environment for your children, mastering website blocking on your iPhone can transform your digital experience.

Why Website Blocking Matters

The average American checks their phone 205 times a day—that's roughly once every 7 minutes [1]. Research shows that it takes approximately 23 minutes to fully refocus after an interruption, creating a devastating productivity gap [2]. Social media platforms and news sites are specifically designed to capture and hold our attention, making them particularly disruptive to focused work.

For parents, the concerns extend beyond productivity. According to a Pew Research study, 66% of parents worry about their children's online activities [3], and with good reason—kids between 8-18 spend an average of 7.5 hours daily consuming digital media [4].

Website blocking isn't about restriction for restriction's sake—it's about creating intentional digital spaces that align with your goals, whether that's producing your best work or protecting your children from inappropriate content.

Who Needs Website Blocking?

For Professionals Seeking Deep Work

If you've ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media when you should be working on an important project, you're not alone. Knowledge workers report losing up to 2.1 hours of productive time daily to digital distractions [5]. By implementing website blocking on your iPhone, you can:

• Create uninterrupted focus sessions
• Break habitual checking behaviors
• Improve overall productivity
• Reduce decision fatigue
• Lower stress levels associated with constant connectivity

For Parents Creating Safe Online Environments

Children today are digital natives with unprecedented access to the internet. Website blocking tools allow parents to:

• Filter age-inappropriate content
• Protect children from potential online dangers
• Manage screen time more effectively
• Guide children toward positive online experiences
• Create teaching moments about responsible internet use

How to Block Websites on iPhone: 5 Effective Methods

Let's explore your options for blocking websites on iPhone, starting with the simplest built-in solutions and progressing to more comprehensive third-party approaches.

Method 1: Using Content & Privacy Restrictions (Built-in)

iOS includes powerful content filtering capabilities through the Screen Time feature. This approach is excellent for basic website blocking and is completely free.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
2. Tap Screen Time (You may need to enable it if you haven't already)
3. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions
4. Toggle the switch to enable restrictions
5. Tap App Store, Media, Web, & Games
6. Tap Content Restrictions
7. Select Web Content
8. Choose from three options:
   • Unrestricted Access: No limitations (the default)
   • Limit Adult Websites: Automatically blocks adult content plus any sites you manually add
   • Allowed Websites Only: Only permits access to websites you specifically approve

To Block Specific Websites:

1. Choose either "Limit Adult Websites" or "Allowed Websites Only"
2. For "Limit Adult Websites," scroll down to "Never Allow" and tap Add Website
3. Enter the website URL you want to block (e.g., facebook.com)

This method works across all browsers on your iPhone, not just Safari, making it quite comprehensive.

Method 2: Enhanced Screen Time Limits (Built-in)

Beyond basic content filtering, Screen Time allows you to set daily time limits for app categories or specific apps, which also applies to websites accessed through browsers.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open Settings > Screen Time
2. Tap App Limits > Add Limit
3. Select the category Social Networking (or any other relevant category) and additionally add websites
4. Set your daily time allowance
5. Tap Add to confirm

For additional security, set up a Screen Time passcode:

1. In Screen Time settings, tap Lock Screen Time Time Settings
2. Enter a four-digit code that you'll remember (but others won't guess)
3. Confirm the passcode
4. Provide a recovery email in case you forget your passcode

Method 3: Family Sharing & Parental Controls (Built-in)

If you're a parent looking to block websites on your child's device, Family Sharing provides robust controls.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Set up Family Sharing if you haven't already:

   • Go to Settings > tap your name > Family Sharing > Set Up Your Family
   • Follow the prompts to add family members

2. For a child's device:

   • Go to Settings > tap your name > Family Sharing
   • Tap your child's name from the family list
   • Follow the same Content & Privacy Restrictions steps from Method 1
   • You can remotely manage these settings from your own device
   • Select Content & Privacy Restrictions
   • Toggle the switch to enable restrictions
   • Tap App Store, Media, Web, & Games
   • Tap Content Restrictions
   • Select Web Content
   • Choose from three options:
   • Unrestricted Access: No limitations (the default)
   • Limit Adult Websites: Automatically blocks adult content plus any sites you manually add
   • Allowed Websites Only: Only permits access to websites you specifically approve

To Block Specific Websites:

1. Choose either "Limit Adult Websites" or "Allowed Websites Only"
2. For "Limit Adult Websites," scroll down to "Never Allow" and tap Add Website
3. Enter the website URL you want to block (e.g., facebook.com)

This approach gives parents visibility into usage patterns while allowing for appropriate boundaries.

Need help setting up Family Sharing and other parental controls? Check out this helpful video tutorial for step-by-step guidance.

Method 4: Third-Party Apps (Premium Options)

When you need more powerful blocking features, third-party apps offer enhanced capabilities.

Top Third-Party Website Blockers for iPhone:

1. Freedom - Visit Website

   • Cross-platform blocking across all your devices
   • Scheduled blocking sessions
   • Customizable blocklists
   • Strict mode that prevents app deletion during sessions
   • Paid with a free trial

2. Focus - Visit Website

   • Pomodoro timer integration
   • Detailed productivity analytics
   • Custom blocking schedules
   • Cloud sync across devices
   • Paid with a free trial

3. BlockSite - Visit Website

   • Pattern-based blocking (e.g., block all gambling sites)
   • Work mode scheduling
   • Password protection
   • Motivation quotes when attempting to access blocked sites
   • Free and paid versions available

Installation Process:

1. Open the App Store
2. Search for your chosen app
3. Download and install
4. Open the app and follow its setup wizard
5. Enable permissions for the app to work properly

Complement Your iPhone Strategy: Desktop Protection

While focusing on iPhone blocking, you may also want comprehensive protection across all your devices. For desktop browsers, we recommend the Intentional browser extension to maintain consistent digital boundaries.

Desktop Browser Installation:

• Chrome Web Store
• Firefox Add-ons

This desktop solution pairs well with the iPhone methods above for complete cross-device protection.

Method 5: Router-Level Restrictions (Advanced)

For whole-house protection that works across all devices, consider router-level website blocking.

Basic Implementation:

1. Access your router's admin panel (typically by entering 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a browser)
2. Log in with your admin credentials
3. Look for options like "Parental Controls," "Access Restrictions," or "Website Filtering"
4. Enter the domains you wish to block
5. Save your settings

While this method requires more technical knowledge, it provides the most comprehensive coverage as it works regardless of which device or browser is being used.

Practical Tips for Successful Website Blocking

Overcoming Resistance

When you first implement website blocking, you may experience resistance—from yourself or your children. This is normal.

For Professionals:

• Start with short focus sessions (30-60 minutes)
• Plan your blocks during your most productive hours
• Create a "blocking schedule" that allows for breaks
• Keep a distraction list nearby to jot down impulses
• Reward yourself after successful deep work sessions

For Parents:

• Explain the "why" behind website blocking to children
• Involve kids in setting reasonable limits
• Create a family media plan together
• Model healthy digital habits yourself
• Offer exciting offline alternatives

Replacing Digital Habits

Website blocking works best when combined with habit replacement. Instead of just removing digital distractions, actively plan what you'll do instead.

Offline Alternatives to Consider:

• Reading physical books
• Outdoor activities and exercise
• Creative hobbies like drawing or music
• Mindfulness practices
• Face-to-face social interactions
• Journaling or writing

By consciously choosing more fulfilling activities, website blocking becomes less about restriction and more about reclaiming your time and attention for what truly matters.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Digital Experience

Blocking websites on your iPhone isn't about digital abstinence—it's about digital intentionality. Whether you're a professional seeking the conditions for deep, meaningful work or a parent guiding children through the digital landscape, these tools can help create healthier boundaries.

To recap your options:

• Content & Privacy Restrictions: Best for basic filtering with no additional cost
• Screen Time Limits: Ideal for managing usage duration
• Family Sharing Controls: Perfect for parents monitoring children's devices
• Third-Party Apps: Best for customization and cross-platform blocking
• Router-Level Restrictions: Most comprehensive whole-house solution

Remember that digital wellbeing is a journey, not a destination. The goal isn't perfection but progress toward a more mindful relationship with technology.

By implementing these website blocking strategies on your iPhone, you're taking a significant step toward reclaiming your attention and creating digital spaces that serve your goals rather than undermine them.

Disclaimer: This guide was tested on iOS 18. While most features should be similar across recent iOS versions, some menu locations or options may vary slightly depending on your specific iOS version.

Sources

[1] Reviews.org. (2023). Cell Phone Behavior Report 2023. https://www.reviews.org/mobile/cell-phone-addiction/

[2] Mark, G., Gonzalez, V., & Harris, J. (2005). No task left behind?: examining the nature of fragmented work. Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. https://www.ics.uci.edu/~gmark/chi08-mark.pdf

[3] Pew Research Center. (2020). Parenting Children in the Age of Screens. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/

[4] Common Sense Media. (2021). The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/the-common-sense-census-media-use-by-tweens-and-teens-2021

[5] RescueTime. (2018). Screen Time Statistics 2018: Your Smartphone Is Hurting Your Productivity. https://blog.rescuetime.com/screen-time-stats-2018/