Introduction
As the internet continues to occupy an increasingly important place in our daily lives, parents or individuals want to block certain unwanted websites on their iPhone. If you’re concerned about online privacy or the safety of your children, knowing how to block a website on your iPhone can provide peace of mind. In this article, we will show you how to block websites on your iPhone using a range of different solutions.
Using iPhone’s Built-in Parental Controls to Block Websites
What are parental controls and how can you use them on your iPhone?
Parental controls are an in-built feature of every iPhone that can be used to manage website access according to the age of the user. Parental controls use a combination of website access restrictions, content filtering, and private browsing features, to limit unwanted exposure for you or your child.
How to block specific websites using parental controls?
To block specific websites using parental controls applied on iPhone follow these steps:
1. Head to “Settings” on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down to “Screen Time” and tap on it.
3. Tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions”.
4. Choose “Content Restrictions”.
5. Select “Web Content”.
6. Now, choose “Limit Adult Websites”.
7. Add any website URLs you want to block in the “Never Allow” section.
Third-party Website Blocking Apps for iPhone
What are the different types of third-party website blocking apps available for your iPhone?
There are many third-party apps available on the App Store that can block or filter internet content on your iPhone. These apps use diverse methods to achieve their goals, often including blacklists of sites known for inappropriate content, white-lists that only allow access to trusted sites, or content analysis tools.
What are the popular third-party website blocking apps options, and how do you use them to block websites?
Some popular third-party website blocking apps for iPhone include Mobicip, Norton Family, and Kaspersky Safe Kids. Each app requires users to enter specific websites that they wish to block. A good example is Mobicip, you can follow the steps given below:
1. Install Mobicip from the App Store or the official website of Mobicip.
2. After installing, launch the app, and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account.
3. Select the device you want to monitor or manage.
4. Tap on the “Block Websites” feature.
5. Add the website URLs you want to block, and tap “Done”.
Creating a Blacklist of Specific Websites to Block on iPhone using Safari
How do you create a blacklist of specific websites to block using the Safari browser on your iPhone?
Did you know you can create a blacklist of specific websites to block on your iPhone using Safari? Follow the steps below:
1. Open up Safari browser and tap on the “Bookmarks” icon.
2. Choose “History.”
3. On the next screen, select the “Clear” option, then select “Clear All History.”
4. Return to “Settings” and select the “Safari” tab.
5. Scroll down to “General” and select “Block Pop-ups.”
6. From the same “General” menu, select “Content Blockers.”
7. Tap “Add New Content Blocker.”
8. Enter the website URL you want to block, then select “Done.”
Using VPN App that Includes Website Blocking Capabilities
What is a VPN, and how would it help in blocking unwanted websites on your iPhone?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is service that securely encrypts online traffic and redirects it through a remote server of the user’s choice. In addition to providing privacy, many VPN services also offer website blocking capabilities to prevent cyber threats, block ads and unwanted popups, and other features.
Which VPN app options are available to block websites, and how do you use it?
VPN apps that include website blocking features are available from many providers in the App Store, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. Here are the steps for using NordVPN to block websites on your iPhone:
1. Install NordVPN from the App Store or from the NordVPN website.
2. Launch the app and sign in to your NordVPN account.
3. Tap the “Settings” icon, and select “Auto-Connect.”
4. Choose the “Website Filters” option.
5. Toggle on “Block CyberSec” and “Auto-Block” to activate web site-blocking feature.
6. Return to the NordVPN home screen and tap “Connect.”
Setting up Content Restrictions under Screen Time Settings to Block Websites
What is Screen Time, and how do you use it to block websites?
Many iPhone users are unaware of the Screen Time feature in their devices that help limit phone use. This feature allows the user to set content restrictions for apps, movies, TV shows, and games. It also includes a feature to block specific websites in combination with the parental controls feature.
What are the steps to set up content restrictions for website blocking on your iPhone?
To set up content restrictions for website blocking with Screen Time, follow these steps:
1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and select “Screen Time.”
3. Select “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
4. Enable the Content & Privacy checkbox.
5. Tap “Content Restrictions.”
6. Tap “Web Content.”
7. Select “Limit Adult Websites.”
8. Add website URLs under “Never Allow.”
Using Blocking Extensions for the Safari Browser to Prevent Access to Certain Websites on iPhone
What are blocking extensions, and how do they work?
Browser extensions are add-ons or plugins that modify the function and performance of your web browser. They can add new features, block ads, and other unwanted elements in a web page or even block access to particular websites.
What Safari blocking extensions are popular on iPhone, and how do you use them to block websites?
Some popular Safari blocking extensions for iPhone include AdGuard, 1Blocker, and AdBlock Plus. Here’s how you can install AdGuard and use it to block websites on your iPhone:
1. Install AdGuard from the App Store.
2. Launch the app and tap “Settings.”
3. Turn on the “AdGuard DNS” toggle button.
4. Return to the home screen and open Safari.
5. Tap the “Share” button.
6. From the list of options, select AdGuard.
7. Tap the “Block” option to prevent websites from loading.
Benefits of Using a DNS-Based Website Blocking Solution for iPhone
What is DNS-based website blocking, and what are its benefits?
DNS-based website blocking is a method that uses DNS (Domain Name Service) to block access to websites. DNS-based website blocking is quick, efficient, and secure. When you try to access a blocked site using this method, you’ll be directed to a safe page instead of the blocked page.
How do you set up OpenDNS for website blocking on your iPhone?
OpenDNS is a popular DNS-based website blocking service that is easy to set up on your iPhone. Here’s how:
1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
2. Tap “Wi-Fi”.
3. Tap the “i” icon next to the connected network.
4. Scroll down to “Configure DNS” and select it.
5. Choose “Manual.”
6. Add IP addresses of OpenDNS servers on the “DNS Servers” section. Here are the OpenDNS IPs to use- “208.67.222.123” and “208.67.220.123”.
7. Save the changes by tapping “Save” at the top of the screen.
Conclusion
Now you know the various ways to block websites on your iPhone. The benefit to each of these methods varies depending upon preference and needs. Using iPhone’s built-in parental control, third-party apps, Safari blacklisting, VPN apps with blocking capabilities, Screen Time, Safari browser extensions to OpenDNS, there is no shortage of options to keep unwanted websites off your iPhone. With so many solutions available, we encourage you to experiment with different tactics and see what works best for you. Better yet, use a combination of them to get maximum online protection.