How to Block a Website on Mobile: Android & iPhone (Step-by-Step)

Whether you want to block distracting sites, protect your kids from harmful content, or simply keep certain pages off-limits, knowing how to block a website on mobile is a practical skill every smartphone user should have. The good news is that both Android and iPhone have built-in tools that let you do this without downloading any extra apps — though we’ll cover those options too. This guide walks you through every method, clearly and step by step.

How to Block Websites on Android (Using Google Family Link)

Android doesn’t have a single dedicated website blocker built into its settings, but Google Family Link is Google’s free built-in parental control solution that lets you block specific websites in Chrome. It works on any Android device without rooting.

1. Download Google Family Link from the Play Store on the parent’s device.
2. Open the app and follow the setup steps to link it to your child’s Google account.
3. Once connected, tap on your child’s account in Family Link.
4. Tap “Controls” → “Content restrictions” → “Google Chrome.”
5. Tap “Blocked sites” and then tap the + icon to add a URL.
6. Enter the website address you want to block and tap “Block.”

The blocked site will no longer open in Chrome on that device. Family Link also lets you approve or deny app downloads and set daily screen time limits — making it a solid all-in-one solution for parents.

How to Block Websites on Android Using Digital Wellbeing

Android’s built-in Digital Wellbeing feature can help you limit time spent on specific apps, but it does not directly block individual websites. For true website blocking without a third-party app, the most effective built-in method on Android is using Private DNS filtering (covered below) or Google Family Link above.

If you’re looking for a quick way to limit Chrome browsing time instead of blocking specific sites, Digital Wellbeing works like this:

1. Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.
2. Tap on the Chrome icon in the app usage chart.
3. Tap “Set timer” and choose a daily limit for Chrome usage.

How to Block Websites on Android Using Private DNS

Private DNS filtering is a powerful method that blocks websites at the network level — meaning it applies to all browsers and apps on the device, not just Chrome. This method works on Android 9 and above.

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections on Samsung).
2. Tap “Private DNS.”
3. Select “Private DNS provider hostname.”
4. Enter one of these free family-safe DNS addresses:
   • family-filter.dns.cleanbrowsing.org — blocks adult content
   • dns-family.adguard.com — blocks ads, trackers, and adult sites
   • familyshield.opendns.com — OpenDNS family protection
5. Tap “Save.”

This method doesn’t let you block specific individual URLs, but it’s extremely effective at filtering out harmful, adult, or malicious content categories across the entire device.

How to Block Websites on iPhone Using Screen Time

iPhone makes website blocking straightforward through Screen Time, Apple’s built-in content and privacy control system. Once set up, blocked websites won’t open in Safari or any other browser on the device.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap “Screen Time.”
3. If Screen Time isn’t enabled yet, tap “Turn On Screen Time” and follow the setup steps.
4. Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and toggle it ON.
5. Tap “Content Restrictions” → “Web Content.”
6. Select “Limit Adult Websites” to block known adult content automatically, or select “Allowed Websites Only” to whitelist specific sites.
7. To block a specific website, under “Limit Adult Websites” scroll down to “Never Allow” and tap “Add Website.”
8. Enter the full URL of the site you want to block (e.g., www.example.com) and tap “Done.”

The site will be blocked in Safari and any other browser that uses Apple’s web content filtering APIs. To prevent anyone from undoing these settings, set a Screen Time passcode by going to Screen Time → Use Screen Time Passcode.

How to Block Adult Websites on iPhone Automatically

If your goal is to filter adult content broadly rather than block specific URLs one by one, Screen Time handles this automatically:

1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. Tap “Content Restrictions” → “Web Content.”
4. Select “Limit Adult Websites.”

iOS will automatically block a large library of known adult sites. You can still manually add specific sites to the “Never Allow” list for anything that slips through.

How to Block Websites in Chrome on Android (Safe Browsing)

Chrome for Android doesn’t have a direct URL-blocking feature built in, but you can enable Enhanced Safe Browsing to block dangerous and malicious websites automatically:

1. Open Chrome on your Android device.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
3. Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Safe Browsing.
4. Select “Enhanced Protection.”

This won’t block specific sites you choose, but it does protect against phishing pages, malware sites, and deceptive content in real time.

Best Apps to Block Websites on Android and iPhone

If the built-in options don’t give you enough control, these apps offer more precise website blocking on both platforms:

• BlockSite — Available for Android and iOS. Lets you block specific websites and apps by URL, set schedules, and track usage. Free with premium options.
• Freedom — Works across Android, iPhone, and desktop. Syncs blocked lists across all your devices and supports focus sessions with timers.
• 1.1.1.1 by Cloudflare (with WARP) — Free app that routes traffic through Cloudflare’s DNS. The “1.1.1.1 for Families” mode blocks malware and adult content at the DNS level across all apps.
• Qustodio — Premium parental control app for Android and iOS. Offers detailed activity reports, time limits, and per-category blocking.

Which Method Should You Use?

• For parents managing a child’s iPhone → Screen Time with a passcode is the most effective built-in option.
• For parents managing a child’s Android phone → Google Family Link gives the most control without extra apps.
• For blocking all adult or harmful content on Android → Private DNS filtering covers the entire device at the network level.
• For blocking specific distracting sites for yourself → BlockSite or Freedom apps give the most flexibility on both platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions