If you also have young kids who love watching anime on their phone or keep scrolling Instagram all day, and you’re concerned about their online safety, we get you!
Children who are on their phones all day may not only have vision issues and receive bad grades in school, but might also access websites and apps inappropriate for their age. In such situations, it is best to block these sites to help keep your children safe.
While Screen Time is an excellent built-in feature for parents of children who are iPhone users, you can also block sites on their device without this feature. In this article, we have covered how to block websites on iPhone without Screen Time using three different methods. Pick the one that suits your needs the best to block websites on your kids’ phones.
Part 1. Is It Possible to Block Websites on iPhone Without Screen Time
Screen Time is one of the most popular choices among parents who want to restrict their children's online exposure to sexual or violent content. You can block adult content automatically with Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time. It also allows you to create a whitelist of approved websites and block specific websites.
However, if you do not want to use Screen Time for any reason, you can use third-party apps or block websites using internet-connected devices, such as your Wi-Fi router. Keep reading to find out how to block websites on iPhone without Screen Time.
Part 2. How to Block Websites on iPhone Without Screen Time
Method 1. Use a third-party blocker app-BlockSite
BlockSite is a third-party app that allows you to block apps and websites on your children’s phone to keep them away from age-inappropriate content. It is widely used for desktop and Android, but the app also restricts websites on iOS devices.
BlockSite lets you block access to certain websites during specific hours (ideal for productivity) and includes a password lock to ensure that your kids cannot change the settings.
🔔Requirements: You need to install a third-party app on the target phone to block sites.
How to use BlockSite to block websites on iPhone
Step 1. Open App Store. Search for BlockSite and download it.
Step 2. Once downloaded, open the app, and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app. Sign in or create an account if needed.
Step 3. Enable Safari Content Blocker by going to Settings. Select Extensions within Safari and turn on BlockSite.
Step 4. Now, go to Settings, select Safari, and tap Content Blockers. Toggle the button next to BlockSite.
Step 5. Open BlockSite and tap + to add websites to block. Click Done after you’ve added the websites you want to restrict.
📍Limitations
BlockSite only works in Safari in iPhone, and you may not be able to block sites used in Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers on the iPhone (unless they support content blockers)
Method 2. Configure a DNS filter
In case you do not want to use a third-party website blocking app, no worries; a DNS filter can be the best choice for you. Now, if you’re wondering, “What is a DNS filter and how do I use it to block websites,” wait no more.
DNS stands for Domain Name System, which helps your phone find out the real location of the website, similar to finding a name in your contact list. DNS filtering allows you to block harmful or inappropriate websites before your device can locate and load them. So, when your children try to open these restricted sites, they will not be able to access them.
🔔Requirements: You need custom DNS address to filter websites.
Here’s how to block websites on iPhone without Screen Time or third-party apps like BlockSite on Wi-Fi and cellular network:
How to use DNS filtering to block websites on iPhone
Step 1. Select a DNS provider (e.g., CleanBrowsing Family Filter, NextDNS, AdGuard DNS, etc.)
Step 2. Download the app on the target device.
Step 3. Open the app and allow it to install a local VPN profile.
Step 4. Select and customize your filter settings to block websites.
If you want to change DNS for Wi-Fi only:
Step 1. Go to Settings and select Wi-Fi
Step 2. Tap the ‘i’ next to your Wi-Fi network
Step 3. Select Configure DNS and click Manual
Step 4. Delete any previous DNS entries
Step 5. Click Add Server and enter:
- 185.228.168.168
- 185.228.169.168
Step 6. Tap Save
📍Limitations
- DNS filtering does not directly work on content within apps.
- Some iOS updates may change manual DNS settings.
Method 3. Block websites on your Wi-Fi router
When looking for a method to block websites that does not require access to the target phone, you can try blocking websites on your Wi-Fi router. The best part is that you do not need to install the app or set up filtering on each phone individually; blocking websites on your Wi-Fi router offers a comprehensive solution for all devices connected to the Wi-Fi in your home. You may be able to set up DNS or keyword filtering, block websites at specific times, and block sites on only particular devices.
🔔Requirements: You need access to your router’s admin panel.
How to block websites on iPhone via Wi-Fi Router
Step 1. Open Wi-Fi settings on your iPhone or computer and tap the connected network.
Step 2. Select Router or Gateway and note the IP address.
Step 3. Open a browser and enter the IP address (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1) into the address bar.
Step 4. Enter your username (usually ADMIN) and password.
Step 5. Select Security/ Access control/ Parental controls/ Firewall/ Content filtering depending on your Wi-Fi router brand and model.
Step 6. Choose Block Specific Sites or Blacklist from the options and enter website URLs you want to block.
Step 7. Save the settings and reboot the router if needed.
📍Limitations
- Children can still access blocked apps on cellular data.
- Sometimes you might need to clear DNS cache or reboot the router if the blocked site still loads.
Part 3. If Blocking Methods Seem Too Complex, Try Monitoring with Msafely
Blocking is often beneficial for families, enabling them to ensure that their kids cannot access unsafe sites. However, kids might use cellular data or visit other websites that you have not blocked. In such situations, an app like Msafely can be your savior.
Msafely is a parental control app that allows you to keep an eye on your child’s activities and whereabouts by monitoring their phone remotely. Connect their phone to your Msafely account and monitor everything from text messages, call logs, emails, calendar events and location to social media apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Line, Viber, Hangouts, Discord, Tinder, and much more. This app offers a comprehensive solution to ensuring your child’s online safety and protecting them from accessing inappropriate websites.
How to monitor your kid's phone activities without Screen Time (using Msafely)
Step 1. Go to the Msafely website and create a free online account.
Step 2. Select a subscription plan and connect the target device to your Msafely account.
Step 3. Go to the Msafely Control Panel and monitor all activities in real-time.
Part 4. Tips to Avoid Harmful Websites on an iPhone
While you can use the above-mentioned methods to block websites on your child’s phone, it is important to tell them how to avoid unsafe or malicious websites on their iPhone. Here are some tips to teach your children to avoid harmful websites on an iPhone:
- Talk to them about not clicking on any link that appears as an ad on their screen.
- Check their browser history or monitor their website access with parental control apps like Msafely.
- Encourage screen use in shared spaces, such as the living room.
- Ask them to not download any shady apps from unverified links.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi to avoid unwanted links and malicious activity.
With these tips, you can encourage your kids to not engage with suspicious links and websites, making the internet safer for them. It will also help create a healthy environment where your children can share their encounters with adult websites that may be unsafe for them.
Part 5. Conclusion
Ensuring your children’s online safety can be tough in today’s time when almost every child has a tablet, iPad, or iPhone in their hands. The best way to ensure your children do not access age-inappropriate websites is to block these websites on their iPhone. You can use Screen Time to manage the allowed websites or use the methods mentioned above, sharing how to block websites on iPhone without Screen Time; use a third-party blocker app, use DNS filtering, or block websites on your Wi-Fi router. If you are still not satisfied because of each method’s limitations, parental control apps like Msafely give you insights into your child’s browser usage. Pick a method that suits you the best and keep your children away from harmful websites effortlessly.