How to Block A Website on iPhone

Browsing on a smartphone is now the order of the day when it comes to daily chores in this digital age. A wide space full of different avenues of information, entertainment, or resources covers the internet. The purpose of the internet is far and wide, but not all content can be appreciated by children. To block distracting websites and allow only adult content for oneself or to increase productivity, Apple has built-in tools for controlling web access on an iPhone. 

In this article, we will look at a variety of options for blocking websites on an iPhone, from using screen time settings, third-party applications, or network-based solutions.

Reasons for Blocking a Website

Blocking a website may assist one for a number of reasons, such as:

• Parental Control: Blocking inappropriate sites for children. 
• Work Productivity: Blocking distractions such as social media or gaming websites. 
• Security: Blocking malicious websites that could give your device a headache. 
• Conservation: Shields sites that consume too much bandwidth while draining good amounts of battery.

Method 1: Blocking Website Using Screen Time

Apple rolled out Screen Time with the arrival of iOS 12, giving users an option to monitor and limit their usage of the devices. This is how you may use it to block websites: 

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Step 1: Enable Screen Time 

1. Open the Settings App.
2. Select Screen Time.
3. If you have not already done so, tap Turn On Screen Time.
4. Choose This is My iPhone or This is My Child's iPhone, according to your preference.

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Step 2: Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions 

1. In the Screen Time menu, tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Enable the toggle switch at the top if it has not already been turned on. 
3. Tap Content Restrictions. 

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Step 3: Restrict Web Content 

1. Scroll or scroll down until you see Web Content. 
2. Three options will appear: 

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• Unrestricted Access (default, allows all websites).
• Limit Adult Websites (blocks adult content automatically as well as blocks websites manually). 
• Allowed Websites Only (merely allows web access to a small, limited list of approved sites).

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Step 4: Block Specific Websites

• When attempting to Limit Adult Websites, there is a Never Allow section
• Tap on Add Website under Never Allow, then enter the desired URL on the website to block.
• Delete it subsequently by swiping left on it and tapping Delete.

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Step 5: Try out the Banned Website

• Access Safari or any other browser, and try visiting the blocked site again.
• You will get a message about the site being restricted.

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This works on all browsers on your iPhone: Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

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Method 2: Blocking Website Using Router Setting

You can block websites on all devices when they connect to the same Wi-Fi by setting them through a website restriction at the router.

Instructions for Blocking Websites on a Router

1. Log in to your router's admin panel by accessing it through your browser (usually with the IP address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Use the username and password given at the back of the router or on the manual.
3. Look for a tab that mentions something like "Parental Controls" or "Website Filtering."
4. Then, enter the website addresses that need to be blocked and save the settings.
5. You may also be required to restart your router. 

This means that no blocked website will be opened on that home network on any family-owned device; however, it will still be accessible if the iPhone uses mobile data.

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Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps to Block Websites

For increased flexibility, you can use third-party apps that provide advanced features for blocking websites.

Popular website blocker apps:

• Freedom
• BlockSite 
• Cold Turkey
• Norton Family

How to Use a Third-Party App:

1. Install the app from the App Store.
2. Give it any necessary permissions like VPN access because some apps block sites using VPN technology. 
3. From within the app, you can add the websites to the block list.
4. Configure settings like scheduling restrictions or putting on password protection. 

Most of these apps work across browsers and apps, giving you more control than Apple's built-in options.

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Method 4: Using DNS Filtering Services

The advanced mechanism for website blocking includes the method of DNS filtering.

Block Websites via DNS Services:

OpenDNS- free parental controls and web filtering.

Cloudflare for Families- Blocks malicious and adult content.

AdGuard DNS-  blocks ads and unwanted sites.

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To configure OpenDNS on the iPhone.

1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the Wi-Fi network.
3. Scroll to the configuration part of DNS and select Manual.
4. Remove the existing DNS servers and add the ones here:

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• 208.67.222.123
• 208.67.220.123

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5. Save settings; now, your browsing will be filtered.

This procedure blocks websites from the DNS end, which is quite difficult to bypass.

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FAQs About Blocking Websites on iPhone

Can I block websites on Chrome or other browsers?

Screen Time works on all iPhone browsers, including Chrome and Firefox.

How do you unblock a website?

Open Settings  >  Screen Time  >  Content  & Privacy Restrictions  >  Web Content and remove the site from the Never Allow list.

Can I also block apps?

Yes! In Screen Time, you can go to App Limits, set time limits for the apps, or block specific apps altogether.

Does Private Browsing work around website blocks?

No, Screen time blocks will still be applied in Private Browsing mode.

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Conclusion

Blocking websites on iPhones is essential in securing the whole iPhone device's organizational productivity and providing parental controls. You may prefer simple built-in Screen Time features to restrict websites or access applications outside for advanced monitoring or filtering. You could fit several ways into how you want to block websites. It makes your browsing experience on the iPhone safer and more controlled, so you can choose the one that suits your needs.

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