How to Block Websites on iPhone and iPad - 6 Methods

Internet browsing has become a part of our daily lives, especially for kids and teens, who are always too curious to learn new things. However, there are countless scam websites tracking your IP addresses or getting access to or stealing personal data without your knowledge. To keep your loved ones and yourself saved from any such sites, blocking websites on iPhone has become a must.

In addition, many parents are always worried about their children getting exposed to explicit or inappropriate content available on the web. That's another reason to learn how to restrict websites on iPhones. Stick till the end to get all your related queries answered. We will tell you how to block websites on iPhones or how to restrict websites on iPads using different methods and tools.

So, let's first see the reasons why anyone would want to block sites on Safari.

Part 1. Why Block Websites on iPhone or iPad

Here are some reasons why you should know how to block websites on Safari:

• Limiting screen time

Kids can easily get addicted to using a website, especially social media, and games, and eventually get their screen time off the limits. Not only kids but sometimes even adults fall into this addiction to certain content and websites. To keep children away from this additive content, parents must know how to block websites on iPhones without screen time.

• Blocking off explicit content

There are a bulk of free websites where kids can get exposed to inappropriate content. This is yet another reason to block websites on an iPad to keep your kids away from adult content.

• Avoiding data theft/cyberbullying

With many websites trying to track your phone data, specifically the IP address, the chances of cyberbullying or scams increase. To avoid data theft and getting tracked, find out how to block a site on Safari and be worry-free.

Part 2. Don't want to Download an Extra App? Use Built-in Settings to Block Websites on iPhone or iPad

You can, although, find and download different apps to block sites on iPhone, but iOS has a built-in feature to handle that as well. iPhone Screen Time works as a site blocker iPhone feature for parents who want to keep their kids away from adult content. See how to block a website on an iPhone using Screen Time below:

2.1. How to block websites on iPhone with Screen Time

Follow these easy steps to restrict/block a website on an iPhone,

Step 1. Go to settings.

Step 2. Click on Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 3. Turn on the 'Content and Privacy Restrictions' option.

Step 4. Click on Content Restrictions > Web Content.

Step 5. You will see three different options:

• Unrestricted Access
• Limit Adult Websites
• Allowed Websites only

Select any of the latter two options for limited access to specific content and websites.

While selecting 'Limit Adult Websites' automatically blocks off explicit content from the web, 'Allowed Websites Only' will give you better access to what your kid can watch or read in Safari.

2.2. How to block websites on iPad with Screen Time

If you want to block a site for Safari on iPad, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 2. Enter your Screen Time passcode (if you have any).

Step 3. Turn on the Content and Restrictions button and click on Content Restrictions > Web Content.

Step 4. Choose any of the three options (unrestricted access, limit adult websites, and allowed websites only) and add the required details. For instance, the URLs of websites you want to restrict or allow for the latter two options. And you're done.

You can also limit apps and social media usage from the options. One thing you must know is that Screen Time does not block domains. It will only block adult content or website URLs you give it.

Part 3. Look for More comprehensive Feature? Try Professional iPhone Website Blocker

When screen time doesn't work ideally for your goals, you need a professional iPhone website blocker. Here are a few website blocker iPad and iPhone tools that can help you block and restrict websites on Safari.

1. Bark us

Here's how to block sites on iPhone using Bark:

Step 1. Install the Bark Kids app on your child's phone and the Bark app on your phone. After adding your bank account details to your parent dashboard, you will get a device code.

Step 2. Enter this code on your kids' phone app.

Step 3. Continue and follow all the forthcoming prompts to complete the app setup on both phones.

Step 4. After setting up the account, open the parent app on your phone.

Step 5. Tap your kid's avatar on the top and click on Screen Time > Apps and websites.

Step 6. Tap on the search bar and enter the website URLs you want to block.

Step 7. Select block if the website shows up. Wait a few minutes for changes to load, and you're all set.

Other monitoring features of Bark

•    Location
•    Text and apps
•    Pause internet
•    Alerts concerning content

2. Famisafe

With these five simple steps, you can easily learn how to block websites on iPhone and iPad,

Step 1. First, install the Famisafe app on both phones.

Step 2. Now, register an account on Famisafe and connect your kid's phone to your account.

Step 3. Tap on Website Filter and block risky website categories.

Step 4. Click on Exceptions and add any specific website URL you want to block on your teen's iPhone.

Step 5. Click on Save to block these websites.

Other monitoring features of Famisafe

•    YouTube app control
•    TikTok history
•    Real-time location
•    Geofencing
•    Screen time

3. Msafely

Msafely is a parental control tracking app that helps you monitor activities on your kids' phones. With Msafely, you can track what websites are being visited on your target phone. This can eventually help you find the websites that you will need to block from their phones. All you need to do is:

Step 1. Sign up for a free account using a valid email address.

Step 2. Connect your kid's phone.

Step 3. Select a plan and start tracking.

Other monitoring features of Msafely

The following tracking features of Msafely give a peek into its powerful monitoring capabilities.

Part 4. Other Methods You can Try to Block Websites on iPhone or iPad

Even when you know how to block a website on iPad and iPhone using different apps, you might not want to subscribe to a paid plan. You don't need to worry because here we have a few more ways to help you with blocking websites on iPhones.

Method 1. Using a DNS service

There are many DNS servers, like Quad9 and Cloudflare, which you can use to restrict websites on iPhones. The method of using a DNS server to block websites on your target iPhone is discussed below:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.

Step 2. Tap on your connected network and click on Configure DNS.

Step 3. Choose manual and type your custom DNS server address.

This will change your iPhone's DNS server, which will filter out inappropriate and explicit content from the web.

Method 2. By adjusting your Wi-Fi router

To block a website on Safari using your Wi-Fi router settings, you need to:

Step 1. Look for your router's IP address mentioned on the sticker under it.

Step 2. Type this IP address on a web browser and log in to change router settings.

Step 3. Go to website blocking and paste the website URLs you want to block. You may also get an option to block an entire website category.

Step 4. Save all the changes and restart your router.

Doing this will change your router settings with new blocked websites for all iPhones and Androids connected to your Wi-Fi router.

Part 5. Comparison of 6 Methods to Block Websites on iPhone or iPad

When it comes to blocking websites on iPhone or iPad, there are several methods available, each with its unique features, level of complexity, and suitability for different needs. Below is a detailed comparison of the six most effective methods:

The best method depends on your specific needs:

For comprehensive monitoring: 

Msafely is the top choice. It provides advanced tracking features like texts, calls, apps, and browser history, along with geo-fencing. While it’s not free, its extensive capabilities make it worth considering.

For basic and free controls: 

iPhone Screen Time is ideal for simple website restrictions on iOS devices.

For filtering inappropriate content: 

Famisafe, Bark or DNS Services are great options, especially if you want to block adult content effectively.

For network-level blocking: 

Wi-Fi Routers offer a straightforward and free way to block websites, though they lack advanced monitoring features.

If you need a balance of monitoring, blocking, and ease of use, Msafely or Bark are strong contenders. However, if cost is a priority and you only need basic blocking, iPhone Screen Time or Wi-Fi Routers might be more suitable.

Part 6. What Websites Should You Block

Knowing what websites you should block on your kids' phones is very important. So, here you go:

• First and foremost, parents prefer keeping their kids away from explicit and adult online content.
• Secondly, there are many addictive gaming websites that increase kid's screen time and distract them from their studies. So, it's better to block these websites.
• Although the iPhone itself blocks most of the trackers and websites that track IP addresses, you should still block any such website you find negative reviews about.
• Some social media websites or video content websites are quite addictive for little kids. Use website blocker iPad tools to restrict your kids from using these websites.
• Block online shopping websites to avoid any mistaken purchases made on your children's iPhones.

Part 7. Troubleshooting Common Issues about Blocking Websites on iPhone or iPad

#1. Screen Time does not block websites

IPhone Screen Time does not block domains, and you need to enter and block one URL at a time. In addition, sometimes Screen Time doesn't work on blocking some websites for no specific reason. To avoid it, you can use a website blocker app like Famisafe to block those websites.

#2. How to unblock websites on iPhone or iPad

To unblock websites on iPhone or iPad,

Step 1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 2. Now enter your passcode (if asked).

Step 3. And turn off (Content & Privacy Restrictions).

#3. How to block inappropriate content on Safari and apps

To block sites on Safari or inappropriate websites on iPhone,

Step 1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 2. Enter the passcode (if asked) and turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 3. Go to Allowed Apps and Content Restrictions one by one.

Step 4. Turn off apps with inappropriate content and go to Web Content > Limit Adult Websites, respectively.

Part 8. FAQs about Blocking Websites on iPhone or iPad

Q1. How to block websites on Safari?

To block websites on Safari, you first use Msafely to track any inappropriate websites visited on your target phone. Now restrict these websites through your Wi-Fi router IP address settings on your web browser, save changes, and you're good to go.

Q2. How to restrict websites on iPhone?

To restrict websites on your iPhone, go to settings and scroll down to Screen Time. Click on Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions. Now, click on Content Restrictions > Web Content and select Limit adult websites.

Q3. How to skip blocked websites?

To skip blocked websites, you can do a few things, including unblocking them first. If that doesn't work, try using a VPN or apps like Tor to bypass blocked social media websites.

Q4. How to block certain websites on iPhone?

Apps like Famisafe and Bark make a good option to block websites on iPhones. Suppose you want to block a specific website, first track which websites are frequently visited on your target phone through Msafely. Later, copy and paste these website URLs on any one of these apps to block them off from your children's phones.

Q5. How to block websites on iPhone without Screen Time?

There are some other alternatives of Screen Time to block a website on iPhone including website blocker apps and Wi-Fi router settings. Use apps like Bark and Famisafe or change your Wi-Fi router settings through a web browser to block websites on iPhones without Screen Time.

Part 9. Conclusion

Knowing how to block a website on iPhones can always come in handy for parents wanting to keep their kids away from online explicit content.

We are certain that the above-detailed discussion must have cleared all your confusion related to blocking websites on an iPhone. Whether the iPhone's built-in Screen Time feature, your Wi-Fi router settings, or an app like Bark or Msafely, each method works to a different extent of blocking apps and websites on iPhones.

Use any of the methods and work your way around it to keep your children safe from adult content by blocking any such websites.