How to Block a Website on Phone: Because Sometimes You Need to Save Yourself from the Rabbit Hole of Cat Videos

How to Block a Website on Phone: Because Sometimes You Need to Save Yourself from the Rabbit Hole of Cat Videos

In today’s digital age, smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. They are our go-to devices for communication, entertainment, and even productivity. However, with the vast array of websites available at our fingertips, it’s easy to get distracted or even overwhelmed. Whether you’re trying to focus on work, protect your children from inappropriate content, or simply want to limit your time on social media, blocking a website on your phone can be a useful tool. In this article, we’ll explore various methods to block websites on your phone, catering to different operating systems and needs.

1. Using Built-in Features on Your Phone

For iPhone Users: Screen Time

Apple’s iOS offers a feature called Screen Time, which allows you to monitor and control your phone usage. Here’s how you can use it to block specific websites:

  1. Open Settings: Go to your iPhone’s settings and tap on Screen Time.
  2. Content & Privacy Restrictions: Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions if it’s not already on.
  3. Content Restrictions: Tap on Content Restrictions and then select Web Content.
  4. Limit Adult Websites: Under Web Content, you can choose to Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only. To block a specific site, tap on Add Website under the Never Allow section.

For Android Users: Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls

Android devices come with Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls features that can help you block websites.

  1. Open Settings: Go to your Android phone’s settings and tap on Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.
  2. Parental Controls: If you’re setting this up for a child, you can enable Parental Controls and set up a restricted profile.
  3. Google Family Link: For more advanced controls, you can use Google Family Link, which allows you to manage your child’s device remotely. You can block specific websites through the Family Link app.

2. Using Third-Party Apps

For Both iPhone and Android: BlockSite

BlockSite is a popular app available for both iOS and Android that allows you to block websites and apps. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Download BlockSite: Install the BlockSite app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Set Up Blocking: Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to grant the necessary permissions.
  3. Add Websites: You can manually add websites you want to block or choose from predefined categories like social media, adult content, etc.
  4. Schedule Blocks: BlockSite also allows you to schedule blocks, so you can restrict access during specific times of the day.

For Android: Norton Family Parental Control

Norton Family Parental Control is another excellent app for Android users, especially for parents who want to monitor and control their children’s online activities.

  1. Download Norton Family: Install the app from the Google Play Store.
  2. Create an Account: Set up a Norton Family account and link your child’s device.
  3. Block Websites: You can block specific websites or categories of websites through the app’s dashboard.

3. Using Browser Extensions

For iPhone and Android: Firefox Focus

Firefox Focus is a privacy-focused browser that automatically blocks trackers and ads. While it doesn’t allow you to block specific websites, it can help reduce distractions by blocking unwanted content.

  1. Download Firefox Focus: Install the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Enable Tracking Protection: Open the app and enable Tracking Protection to block ads and trackers.
  3. Use as Default Browser: You can set Firefox Focus as your default browser to ensure that all your browsing is protected.

For Android: Kiwi Browser with uBlock Origin

Kiwi Browser is a Chromium-based browser for Android that supports Chrome extensions, including uBlock Origin, a powerful ad blocker that can also block specific websites.

  1. Download Kiwi Browser: Install Kiwi Browser from the Google Play Store.
  2. Add uBlock Origin: Go to the Chrome Web Store within Kiwi Browser and add the uBlock Origin extension.
  3. Block Websites: Open uBlock Origin’s dashboard and add the websites you want to block.

4. Using Router Settings

If you want to block websites on all devices connected to your home network, including your phone, you can do so through your router’s settings.

  1. Access Router Settings: Open a web browser on a device connected to your network and enter your router’s IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
  2. Log In: Enter your router’s username and password (usually found on the router itself or in the manual).
  3. Block Websites: Look for a section called Parental Controls, Access Restrictions, or something similar. Add the websites you want to block and save the settings.

5. Using DNS Services

For Both iPhone and Android: OpenDNS

OpenDNS is a DNS service that allows you to block websites by filtering web traffic at the DNS level.

  1. Create an OpenDNS Account: Sign up for a free account on the OpenDNS website.
  2. Configure Your Router: Change your router’s DNS settings to use OpenDNS’s servers (208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123).
  3. Set Up Filtering: Log in to your OpenDNS account and configure the filtering settings to block specific websites or categories.

For iPhone and Android: Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 for Families

Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 for Families is another DNS service that offers content filtering.

  1. Download the App: Install the 1.1.1.1 app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Enable Filtering: Open the app and enable the Malware Blocking Only or Malware and Adult Content option.
  3. Set as DNS: Follow the app’s instructions to set 1.1.1.1 as your phone’s DNS.

6. Using Hosts File (Advanced Users)

For those who are more tech-savvy, you can block websites by editing the hosts file on your phone. This method is more complex and typically requires rooting (Android) or jailbreaking (iPhone).

For Android:

  1. Root Your Phone: Rooting gives you administrative access to your phone’s system files.
  2. Edit Hosts File: Use a file manager app to locate and edit the hosts file, adding the websites you want to block.

For iPhone:

  1. Jailbreak Your iPhone: Jailbreaking allows you to bypass Apple’s restrictions and access system files.
  2. Edit Hosts File: Use a file manager app like iFile to edit the hosts file and add the websites you want to block.

7. Using VPNs with Built-in Blocking Features

Some VPNs offer built-in features to block websites or categories of websites.

For Both iPhone and Android: NordVPN

NordVPN offers a feature called CyberSec, which blocks malicious websites and ads.

  1. Download NordVPN: Install the NordVPN app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Enable CyberSec: Open the app and enable the CyberSec feature in the settings.
  3. Connect to VPN: Connect to a VPN server, and CyberSec will automatically block malicious websites.

For Both iPhone and Android: Surfshark

Surfshark also offers a feature called CleanWeb, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites.

  1. Download Surfshark: Install the Surfshark app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Enable CleanWeb: Open the app and enable the CleanWeb feature in the settings.
  3. Connect to VPN: Connect to a VPN server, and CleanWeb will automatically block unwanted content.

8. Using Parental Control Software

For Both iPhone and Android: Qustodio

Qustodio is a comprehensive parental control app that allows you to block websites, monitor online activity, and set time limits.

  1. Download Qustodio: Install the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Create an Account: Set up a Qustodio account and link your child’s device.
  3. Block Websites: Use the app’s dashboard to block specific websites or categories.

For Both iPhone and Android: Net Nanny

Net Nanny is another powerful parental control app that offers website blocking, time management, and more.

  1. Download Net Nanny: Install the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Create an Account: Set up a Net Nanny account and link your child’s device.
  3. Block Websites: Use the app’s dashboard to block specific websites or categories.

9. Using Browser-Specific Features

For iPhone and Android: Safari (iPhone) and Chrome (Android)

Both Safari and Chrome offer some basic website blocking features, though they are more limited compared to dedicated apps.

Safari (iPhone):

  1. Open Settings: Go to your iPhone’s settings and tap on Screen Time.
  2. Content & Privacy Restrictions: Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions and then tap on Content Restrictions.
  3. Web Content: Under Web Content, you can choose to Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only.

Chrome (Android):

  1. Open Chrome: Open the Chrome browser on your Android phone.
  2. Settings: Tap on the three dots in the top-right corner and go to Settings.
  3. Site Settings: Tap on Site Settings and then Permissions. You can block specific sites by adjusting the permissions.

10. Using Work Profiles (Android)

If you’re using an Android phone for work, you can set up a Work Profile to separate your personal and work apps. Some work profile management tools allow you to block websites.

  1. Set Up Work Profile: Go to your phone’s settings and set up a work profile.
  2. Use Management Tool: If your employer provides a management tool, you can use it to block specific websites on your work profile.

Conclusion

Blocking a website on your phone can be a powerful way to manage your time, protect your privacy, or ensure a safe browsing environment for your children. Whether you use built-in features, third-party apps, or advanced methods like editing the hosts file, there’s a solution for every need. By taking control of your online experience, you can focus on what truly matters and avoid the endless distractions that the internet can bring.

Q1: Can I block websites on my phone without using any apps? A1: Yes, you can use built-in features like Screen Time on iPhone or Digital Wellbeing on Android to block websites without downloading additional apps.

Q2: Is it possible to block websites on all devices connected to my home network? A2: Yes, you can block websites on all devices by configuring your router’s settings or using a DNS service like OpenDNS.

Q3: Can I schedule website blocks on my phone? A3: Yes, apps like BlockSite allow you to schedule website blocks, so you can restrict access during specific times of the day.

Q4: Are there any free methods to block websites on my phone? A4: Yes, many methods, such as using built-in features or free DNS services like OpenDNS, allow you to block websites without any cost.

Q5: Can I block websites on my child’s phone remotely? A5: Yes, parental control apps like Qustodio and Net Nanny allow you to block websites and monitor your child’s online activity remotely.

Q6: What should I do if I accidentally block a website I need? A6: Most blocking methods allow you to easily unblock websites by reversing the steps you took to block them. For example, in Screen Time, you can remove the website from the Never Allow list.