How to Block Websites in Any Browser on iOS 13 and iPadOS

Fortunately, you do not need any third-party applications to block websites on your iPhone or iPad. Indeed, the built-in Screen Time controls on iOS 13 and iPadOS are more than enough for the job. Let's put them into action.

Blocking sites by using screen time

The Screen Time feature allows you to easily block websites using built-in Web content restrictions. The feature debuted with iOS 12.

Screen Time supports two different ways of blocking websites: adding unwanted sites to a blocking list or blocking all sites when creating whitelists.

These restrictions apply to all browsers on your iPhone or iPad – Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Opera Touch. For example, if you have multiple browsers installed, you do not have to maintain separate sets of restrictions for each one.

Screen Time allows you to easily block websites using built-in Web content restrictions.

The duration of the screen is accessible through the Settings application on iOS 13 and iPadOS. If it's the first time you use Screen Time, you'll be prompted for a splash screen, followed by many steps to configure the feature. In this case, it is best to set a Screen Time access code to prevent other users from changing your restrictions.

That said, let's see how to access Web content restrictions in Screen Time.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, then tap Time on screen. Follow this by pressing the content and privacy restrictions.

Note: If you have not set a Screen Time access code yet, you can create one here.

2nd step: Turn on the switch next to Content and Privacy Restrictions, and then tap Content Restrictions.

Step 3: Tap Web Content to access the Web Content Restrictions screen.

You can now use the Restrict Adult Websites or Allow Websites Only options to block sites on your iPhone or iPad. Let's see how each option works separately.

Blocking specific sites

To block specific sites, you must select the option labeled Restrict Adult Websites. Follow this step by tapping Add Web Site under Allow Never to add the URLs for the websites you want to block.

Keep in mind that selecting this option will block all NSFW websites as well as those you plan to block. If you want to exclude a site, add the site URL after selecting the Allow Web site option under Always Allowed.

To remove sites from the Always Allow or Never Authorize sections later, swipe left, and then tap Delete.

Whenever you browse a blocked site from any web browser, you can no longer visit it. If you want to unblock the website, tap Allow website under the message "You can not browse this page …". You must then insert your Screen Time access code.

If you do not have a Screen Time access code configured, you can lift the website restrictions quite easily. It is best to use a Screen Time access code if you want to apply the restrictions when you put your iOS device back to someone else.

Block and exclude

Tap Allowed Websites Only option to block all websites, except for a few child-friendly sites. To add sites to the whitelist, select the Add Website option at the bottom of the list. Once you have finished adding the URL, press Done.

Whenever you encounter a website stuck in a browser, iOS prevents you from visiting it. However, you can still unblock websites by using the Allow Websites option. They will then be added to the whitelist in the Web Content Restrictions screen.

Once again, using a Screen Time access code can prove to be essential when you put your iOS device back to someone, especially to a child.

Bonus Trick – Remote Management

You can also use Screen Time's remote management features to impose restrictions remotely. This is very useful for managing your kids' devices.

Before you can block websites, you must add devices using Family Sharing controls by visiting your profile (through the Settings app).

After that, tap the name of the family member in the Time panel on the screen and you can add the restrictions using the same Web content restrictions.

Block these distractions

Blocking websites is a good way to prevent you from procrastinating or preventing your children from visiting dangerous websites. And it's good to see the built-in native features directly in iOS 13 and iPadOS that can help achieve that goal. But Screen Time can do a lot more than just block websites. You can impose time limits on web browsers, completely block applications, disable private browsing, and so on. It is definitely worth checking out.

Then: Did you forget your Screen Time access code? Here are two ways to get it back easily.