How to Block Websites in Safari on iPhone

How to Block Websites in Safari on iPhone - There have been many times when I stumbled upon a website that I found inappropriate, annoying, or just something I didn’t want to see again. 

Whether it was a distracting social media platform, a news website filled with negativity, or an adult-content site, I often felt the need to block it.

I realized that blocking websites could be useful not just for me but also for others who might be using my device. 

For instance, if a child borrows my iPhone, I wouldn’t want them to access certain sites by accident. Thankfully, iPhones come with built-in settings that allow users to block specific websites or even restrict adult content automatically.

In this guide, I will walk you through the process of blocking websites on Safari using an iPhone. 

It’s a simple process that requires only a few steps, and once set up, it can help create a safer and more controlled browsing experience.

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Why Would I Want to Block a Website?

Before diving into the steps, let me explain why blocking a website can be beneficial. I’ve found multiple reasons why someone might want to restrict access to certain sites:

1. Avoiding Distractions: I often get sidetracked while working or studying. Websites like social media platforms, video streaming services, or online forums can consume hours of my time. Blocking them helps me stay focused on my tasks.
2. Protecting Children: If there are kids in my household, I want to ensure they don’t stumble upon inappropriate or harmful content. By blocking certain websites, I can create a safer online environment for them.
3. Preventing Malware or Scams: Some websites contain malicious content, phishing scams, or viruses. By blocking such sites, I reduce the risk of compromising my personal information or infecting my device.
4. Avoiding Unwanted Content: There are times when I come across websites filled with negativity, false information, or content that simply doesn’t align with my preferences. Blocking them ensures I don’t encounter such material again.

Now that I understand why website blocking is important, let’s dive into the steps to do it on an iPhone.

How to Block Websites in Safari on iPhone

Blocking a website on Safari using an iPhone is fairly easy and doesn’t require any third-party apps. The built-in Screen Time feature allows me to manage and restrict web content with just a few taps. Here’s how I do it:

Step 1: Open Settings

The first thing I need to do is unlock my iPhone and navigate to the Settings app. It’s the one with the gray gear icon that I use to adjust various settings on my device.

Step 2: Tap the Screen Time Option

Once inside Settings, I scroll down until I find Screen Time. This feature helps me track and manage my phone usage, including app limits, content restrictions, and downtime.

Step 3: Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions

If I haven’t already enabled Content & Privacy Restrictions, I need to turn it on. Here’s what I do:

• Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• If it’s not enabled, I toggle the switch to On.
• Sometimes, my phone may ask for a Screen Time passcode (if I have one set up). I enter it to proceed.

Step 4: Access Content Restrictions

Now that Content & Privacy Restrictions are enabled, I go ahead and tap Content Restrictions. This is where I can modify what type of content can be accessed on my iPhone.

Step 5: Select Web Content

Under the Content Restrictions menu, I look for Web Content and tap on it. This is where I can manage website access settings.

Step 6: Choose "Limit Adult Websites"

At this point, I’m given three options:

1. Unrestricted Access – Allows access to all websites without any restrictions.
2. Limit Adult Websites – Automatically blocks known adult sites and lets me manually add more sites to the blocklist.
3. Allowed Websites Only – Blocks all websites except those I manually approve.

Since I want to block specific websites while still allowing general web access, I choose Limit Adult Websites.

Step 7: Manually Add Websites to the Blocklist

After selecting Limit Adult Websites, I scroll down to find the NEVER ALLOW section. Here’s where I can add the URLs of websites I want to block.

• I tap Add Website.
• A text field appears where I enter the address of the website I want to block.
• After typing in the URL, I tap Done on my keyboard.
• If I want to add more sites, I repeat the process.

Step 8: Save the Settings

Once I’ve added all the websites I want to block, I tap Back at the top left corner to ensure my settings are saved. That’s it! The websites I added are now blocked on Safari.

How to Remove a Blocked Website

If I ever need to unblock a website, the process is just as simple:

1. I go to Settings and open Screen Time.
2. I navigate to Content & Privacy Restrictions and then Content Restrictions.
3. Under Web Content, I find the NEVER ALLOW section.
4. I locate the website I want to remove from the blocklist.
5. I swipe left on the website entry and tap Delete.

That’s it! The website will now be accessible again.

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Additional Tips for Managing Web Content

While blocking specific websites is useful, I also found a few additional ways to enhance my browsing experience:

• Using “Allowed Websites Only” Mode: If I want a child-friendly browsing experience, I can choose this option under Web Content settings. It blocks all websites except the ones I manually approve.
• Setting Up a Screen Time Passcode: If I don’t want someone else (like a child) to change these settings, I can set up a Screen Time passcode. This prevents unauthorized changes.
• Using Third-Party Parental Control Apps: If I need more advanced web filtering, I can explore parental control apps available on the App Store.

Blocking websites on an iPhone is an incredibly useful feature that has helped me in various ways. Whether I want to minimize distractions, protect children, or avoid harmful content, the process is quick and effective. By following these steps, I can easily block or unblock any website whenever I need to.

Now that I’ve mastered this setting, I feel more in control of my browsing experience. If you’re like me and want to create a safer and more focused online environment, I highly recommend giving this a try!

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