How to Block Websites on an iPhone or iPad

If you’re wondering how to block a website on Safari, never fear. In this tutorial, we’ll explain how to block websites on iPhone and how to block websites on an iPad running iPadOS. Most smartphone users keep their devices to themselves and have no real need to share their phones except to share pictures or lend it to a friend to make a call. There are times, however, when restricting website access is necessary. Say your kids or grandkids are over, and they want to check out your apps. You’ll want to be sure to block explicit content. Or maybe some malware or ransomware is circulating. Knowing how to block a website or sites on your iPhone or iPad will keep things safe and blocking content will automatically apply to all installed browsers, including Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Opera Touch.

How to Block Sites on an iPhone

Apple offers two options for website blocking: one is to block all sites and whitelist your choices, or to block specific websites. Apple made both of these options easy using the Screen Time settings menu. You’ll notice many functions and choices as you go through the Screen Time settings. You can always make adjustments to those once you finish your content restrictions setup. Ready?

To Enable Content Blocking:

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap Screen Time
3. Tap Turn on Screen Time
   
   
    
4. Tap Continue
5. Tap This is My Phone, or This is My Child’s Phone
6. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
7. Note that on this screen, there is an option to turn on a Screen Time Passcode. If you don’t choose this option here, anyone can turn off your restrictions. When restricted content is accessed, the phone offers the user the option to turn off restrictions. A passcode will prevent them from using that option.
   
   
    
8. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions by tapping the button on the right.
9. Tap on Content Restrictions.
10. Tap on Web Content.
11. From this menu, you have three choices that you may check: to allow unrestricted access (of course, you wouldn’t be here if this is your goal), limit adult websites, or allowed websites only.

How to Block Websites on an iPhone—Limit Adult Websites

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap Screen Time
3. If it’s not already on, tap Turn on Screen Time. Otherwise, skip to step 6
   
   
    
4. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
5. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions by tapping the button on the right.
   
   
    
6. Tap on Content Restrictions
7. Tap on Web Content
8. Tap on Limit Adult Websites
   
   
    
9. Choosing this option will block many adult websites automatically, but still gives you the option of adding sites that are always allowed or never allowed.

How to Block Websites on an iPhone—Whitelist

Apple has conveniently chosen some age-appropriate websites already, so you don’t have to go through and add sites such as Discovery Kids and Disney manually. You may remove any of these pre-approved choices by swiping left to delete.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. If it’s not already on, turn on Screen Time.
4. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
5. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions by tapping the button on the right.
   
   
    
6. Tap on Content Restrictions
7. Tap on Web Content
8. Tap on Allowed Websites Only
   
   
    
9. You will see the default allowed websites below.
10. At the bottom of this page, there is an option to add a website of your choice. Tapping that leads you to another screen that allows you to give the site a title and enter the URL.
    
    

If you’re wondering how to block websites on your iPad, the steps are the same. Now you can rest easy knowing that your young family member is protected from inappropriate internet content.