How to block websites on iphone

So you need to know how to block websites on iPhone. You're not alone. The tricky part is that Apple hides the best controls under several layers of settings, and picking the wrong one can make you think a block is working when it isn't.

Apple introduced Screen Time in iOS 12 back in 2018. As of 2026, it's still the only built-in method for site-level filtering on iPhone. The good news is that Apple's own Screen Time documentation lists Web Content as the main control for this job.

The better news is that a few extra tools can close the gaps Screen Time leaves open.

Who Are You Trying to Block? The First Question to Answer

The right method depends on who owns the phone, who manages the Apple ID, and whether the block needs to stick against a determined kid.

• Your own iPhone. Use Screen Time directly. You don't need Family Sharing. You just need a passcode you can remember, because you'll need it later to change the rules.
• A child's iPhone under your Family Sharing group. Manage restrictions remotely from your own iPhone. This is the cleanest setup and the one parents should use.
• A child's iPhone signed in with your personal Apple ID. Set a Screen Time passcode, turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, and never share that passcode.
• A school or employer device. Don't mess with it. The device manager controls the restrictions, and local settings can disappear when a configuration profile refreshes.
• Every device in your house. A block on your iPhone doesn't block a laptop or tablet. That's when router-level controls or DNS filtering make more sense.

If you're reading this to stop wasting time on a specific site, focus on self-control. If you're a parent, focus on safety. Both goals are valid, but they use different parts of Screen Time.

Quick Answer

Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Web Content. To block specific sites, add them to the Never Allow list. To filter adult content, turn on Limit Adult Websites.

For a child, manage this through Family Sharing. For whole-home blocking, use router or DNS controls.

The most common mistake we see is people turn on Screen Time, add a URL, and assume the block applies everywhere. It doesn't. The next section explains why.

Screen Time vs. DNS Filtering vs. Router Controls: What Each One Actually Does

There are three main ways to block websites on an iPhone. Each works at a different layer, and each has its own strengths and blind spots.

Screen Time is the easiest place to start. It's built into iOS, it's free, and it doesn't depend on your router. Apple's documentation describes Web Content as the main control for site-level filtering, and that's what you'll use for most requests.

DNS filtering sits one layer earlier. Instead of checking every page on the phone, your device asks a filtering server which sites are allowed. Services like NextDNS, CleanBrowsing, and OpenDNS FamilyShield can block categories like adult content, gambling, or malware.

You set this up by installing a configuration profile on the iPhone or by changing your router's DNS settings.

Router controls sit at the network level. They block websites for any device connected to your Wi-Fi, which makes them powerful for families. But the moment the iPhone switches to cellular data, router controls stop mattering.

There's also a fourth option: content blocker apps. These work inside Safari and can hide elements like ads or tracking scripts. They're weaker for full-site blocking, but they're a helpful extra layer for distracting sites.

So which should you start with? Start with Screen Time. It's built in, it doesn't cost anything, and it works immediately.

Step-by-Step: Block Specific Websites Using Screen Time

This is the most common request, so let's walk through it slowly. These steps work the same way across recent versions of iOS in 2026.

Turning On Content & Privacy Restrictions

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. If Screen Time isn't on, tap Turn On Screen Time.
4. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
5. Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to on.
6. Enter a new Screen Time passcode if the phone asks for one.

This layer is the master switch. If this toggle is off, any website block you set below won't stick.

If you're managing a child through Family Sharing, you can also get here from Settings > Screen Time > your child's name.

Adding Sites to the Never Allow List

Once Content & Privacy Restrictions is on, the next steps happen inside Web Content.

1. Tap Web Content.
2. Choose Limit Adult Websites. You need this mode selected before the Never Allow section appears.
3. Scroll to the Never Allow section.
4. Tap Add Website.
5. Type the domain, such as facebook.com or reddit.com.
6. Tap Done on the keyboard.

Add as many sites as you want. The list becomes your personal blocklist.

Don't include "https://" in the field. Just type the core domain. If a subdomain still loads later, add that subdomain separately.

When someone tries to visit a blocked site, Safari shows a message saying the page is restricted. It's a clean block, not a redirect.

Setting a Screen Time Passcode

Without a passcode, the block is more of a suggestion. Anyone can walk into Settings and turn it off.

1. In Settings > Screen Time, tap Use Screen Time Passcode.
2. Enter a 4-digit passcode.
3. If you want a stronger code, tap Passcode Options and choose Alphanumeric.
4. Enter your Apple ID when asked. This lets you reset the passcode if you ever forget it.

Don't share this passcode with the person you're blocking. That sounds obvious, but a lot of hand-me-down phones still have the parent's birthday as the passcode.

If you forget the passcode and didn't set up Apple ID recovery, there's no hidden backdoor. You may have to erase the iPhone and set it up again. That's why the Apple ID step matters.

Step-by-Step: Automatically Filter Adult Content on an iPhone

Blocking one URL is easy. Filtering adult content is a different job, because you don't know every site you need to block. Apple's built-in filter uses a classification list to catch known adult content automatically.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
4. Enter your Screen Time passcode.
5. Tap Web Content.
6. Select Limit Adult Websites.
7. Scroll to the Never Allow section and add any extra sites you want blocked on top of the filter.

That's it. The iPhone will now block known adult content in Safari and most apps that load web content.

How Strict Should You Make the Filter?

If you want a truly locked-down iPhone, choose Allowed Websites Only. This mode blocks every site except the ones you add to the allowed list. It takes more setup, but it's the most reliable way to keep a young child away from inappropriate content.

Keep in mind that no automated filter is perfect. Apple's adult filter catches a lot, but it doesn't catch everything, and it doesn't offer category-level controls for gambling or hate speech. If you need stricter protection, pair Screen Time with a filtered DNS service.

For a child, the remote Family Sharing route is better, because it lets you manage the restrictions without unlocking their phone.

With the adult filter set, the next step is deciding whether you need Family Sharing or a network-level solution to keep every device in your house safe.

Step-by-Step: Block Websites for a Child Through Family Sharing

If the iPhone belongs to your child, the worst approach is to pick up their phone and fumble through settings. Apple designed Screen Time to let you manage a child's device remotely through Family Sharing. That's the setup that makes blocks stick.

Set Up Family Sharing First

You need Family Sharing before you can manage a child's phone from yours.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap your name at the top.
3. Tap Family Sharing.
4. Tap Set Up Your Family.
5. Follow the prompts to add your child as a family member.

If your child is under 13, Apple asks you to confirm their age and enter your passcode for consent. That's a one-time step. Once the child's Apple ID is created, they appear under your Family Sharing group.

You can have up to six people in a Family Sharing group. You don't need a paid iCloud plan for Family Sharing to work. You just need an Apple ID.

Manage Screen Time Remotely

1. On your iPhone, open Settings.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. Tap your child's name under Family.
4. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
5. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
6. Tap Web Content.
7. Choose Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only.

From this same screen, you can add sites to the Never Allow list. You can also tap Add Website under the Allowed Sites list if you're using whitelist mode.

The child never needs to see this screen. You control the restrictions from your own device, and the changes sync through iCloud. When you modify the list at dinner, it updates on their phone before dessert.

Why This Beats Setting Restrictions on the Child's Phone

There's another benefit. You also get access to Downtime and App Limits for the child's apps, so you can restrict the entire YouTube app or Instagram app without touching Safari. If you're trying to stop a child from reaching a website inside an app, that's the control you need.

What if the Child Is Already Signed In to Your Apple ID?

You need to fix that first. Go to Settings, tap their name, then Sign Out. Now set up their own Apple ID under Family Sharing.

Using your personal Apple ID on a kid's phone is how you end up with a child accidentally buying apps with your payment method and seeing your private messages.

Once the child has their own Apple ID, the remote Screen Time controls work properly. If the child already had local Screen Time settings, you might need to reset them before the remote management takes over. Go to Screen Time on their device, scroll to the bottom, and tap Turn Off Screen Time.

Then start fresh from your phone.

Allowed Websites Only Mode for Young Children

If your child is young and needs a completely contained browsing experience, choose Allowed Websites Only instead of Limit Adult Websites.

That mode blocks every website except a small preset list plus anything you add. This is the closest thing to a curated web experience on iPhone.

Start with a handful of trusted sites like kids' educational portals and a public library page. Add more sites as your child gets older. Review the list every few months and adjust.

Reminder: this stays practical only if you keep adult content out of reach through the App Store as well. Use Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > App Store to require age-appropriate ratings.

Step-by-Step: Block Websites Without Screen Time (DNS and Router Methods)

Screen Time works great for one iPhone. But if you need to block websites across the whole house, or if you want a filtering layer that keeps working even when the browser changes, DNS filtering is your friend.

What DNS Filtering Does

Every time your phone requests a website, it asks a Domain Name System (DNS) server to translate the domain into a numerical IP address. A filtered DNS server checks each request against a blocklist. If the site matches, the request is refused before the page ever loads.

That's why DNS filtering catches content across Safari, Chrome, in-app browsers, and even some streaming apps. It doesn't rely on the browser at all.

Services like CleanBrowsing, NextDNS, and OpenDNS FamilyShield offer free tiers that block adult content. NextDNS adds custom blocklists and category controls for gambling, social media, and malware. CleanBrowsing offers a fairly strict adult filter out of the box.

How to Set Up DNS Filtering on the iPhone

The practical setup goes like this.

1. Visit the DNS provider's website on your iPhone.
2. Create an account and choose your filtering preset.
3. Download the configuration profile for iOS.
4. Open Settings and install the profile.
5. Enroll the profile. This means the filter is always on, even on cellular data.

Once the profile is installed, your iPhone routes its web traffic through the filtering service. A VPN-style icon in the status bar confirms it's active.

The filter stays on for as long as the profile is installed. To remove it, go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and delete the profile.

Router-Level Blocking

Router controls block at the network edge instead of the device.

1. Open your router's admin page in a browser.
2. Find the parental controls or DNS settings section.
3. Change the DNS servers to your preferred filtering provider.
4. Save and reboot the router.

Now every device on your Wi-Fi gets filtered. This includes game consoles, smart TVs, and laptops. The whole family is protected without installing anything on each phone.

Which Method Should You Choose?

If you set both a DNS filter and Screen Time, the filter covers everything at the network level. Screen Time still adds per-device passcode protection. The two layers are independent.

Warning: Keep an Eye on VPN Traffic

Most DNS filtering services can be bypassed by a VPN. A VPN encrypts your traffic and sends it outside the filter. If your child or employee uses a VPN app, treat the DNS block as decorative, not real.

The reverse is also true. If you use a VPN for privacy, your DNS filter won't apply to that tunneled connection. Remember that before you trust a router-level block on a corporate or school VPN.

How to Block Distracting Sites Like Social Media on Your Own iPhone

This is for the person who has exhausted other options and still opens Instagram in their browser at 11:37 PM. The solution is a mix of Screen Time, App Limits, and a few behavior tricks.

The biggest mistake for personal blocking is skipping the passcode. If you own the phone, the passcode is just a speed bump, but a speed bump can be enough.

First, Block the Website Addresses

1. Open Settings > Screen Time.
2. Turn on Screen Time if it isn't on.
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it on.
4. Set a passcode using Passcode Options. Choose a random 6-digit code you don't know by heart, but store it somewhere you won't find later.
5. Tap Web Content and choose Limit Adult Websites.
6. Scroll to Never Allow and add twitter.com, instagram.com, facebook.com, reddit.com, and any other distractions.

If you use Safari, the next visit to those pages shows a restriction screen. That's the first layer.

Second, Block the Apps with App Limits

Social media apps aren't websites, but blocking just the website proves ineffective if the app is still on the home screen.

1. In Screen Time, tap App Limits.
2. Tap Add Limit.
3. Choose the Social category.
4. Set a limit, maybe 5 minutes per day.
5. Tap Add.
6. At the end of the app picker, choose Add App Limit.

This also works for the Entertainment category if YouTube is your personal rabbit hole. App Limits cover the whole app, no matter what content is inside.

Third, Use Downtime for Sleep Windows

Set Downtime between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. During that window, only apps you approve under Always Allowed run. Everything else stays grayed out until the gate lifts.

For bedtime routine, pair Downtime with an actual physical move. Charge your phone in another room. The Downtime gate is real, but if the phone is in your hand at midnight, the gate is all that stands between you and a late-night scroll.

Extra Layer: Content Blocker Extensions

Safari content blockers like 1Blocker or AdGuard hide or redirect certain elements. They can't completely block a website the way Screen Time does, but they hide news feeds and comment sections. Some allow you to write custom rules to block a domain.

The tradeoff is straightforward. Content blockers are harder to configure and easier to disable. Use them as a supplement, not as your primary control.

Trick That Works: Remove the App

If the app isn't on your phone, you can still access it in Safari. But the extra friction of opening a browser, typing the address, and waiting forces a moment of conscious choice. For many people, that friction is enough to stop the impulse.

Combined with a Screen Time website block, removing the app is the most effective method for stopping mindless scrolling.

Common Mistakes That Break Website Blocking on iPhone

Even a perfectly configured block fails if you make one of these errors. Our research shows these patterns show up again and again in troubleshooting threads and support forums.

Forgetting the Content & Privacy Restrictions Toggle

You added sites to Never Allow, but the block doesn't work. That usually means Content & Privacy Restrictions is switched off at the top of that screen.

The toggle is the master switch. If it's off, Web Content restrictions are ignored.

Blocking the Wrong URL

Typing "https://facebook.com" into the Never Allow field works, but it's easy to enter "https://www.facebook.com/videos" as a specific page instead of the base domain. Block the whole domain: facebook.com.

Subdomains can get weird. A block on facebook.com usually catches www.facebook.com and m.facebook.com. If a specific subdomain like "l.facebook.com" still loads, add it separately.

Letting the Child Know the Screen Time Passcode

A child who knows the passcode can change the settings in under a minute. Even a child who doesn't know it can ask Siri to turn on Do Not Disturb or reset settings. The passcode is the first line of defense.

If your child is savvy enough to guess a birthday code, switch to a random alphanumeric passcode. Store it in your password manager.

Ignoring In-App Browsers and Web Views

When someone taps a link inside an app like Twitter or WhatsApp, that page opens in an internal browser. Screen Time's Web Content restrictions may not cover all in-app browsers on every iOS version.

The fix is simple: force links to open in Safari. Some apps respect the Open in Safari button in the share sheet. If an app never uses Safari, treat that app itself as the risk.

Use Screen Time App Limits for that app.

Using Shortcuts or Automation to Bypass

Advanced users can create a Shortcut that turns off Screen Time or opens a blocked URL. That's rare, but it's not impossible. If this is a concern for you, keep the Screen Time passcode off limits and disable the Shortcuts app through Screen Time.

Forgetting That Blocks on the iPhone Don't Affect Other Devices

A website blocked on your iPhone is still available on your iPad, Mac, or child's older phone. Screen Time settings sync across devices in your Family Sharing group, but the block applies to the device you configured, not to everyone on your Wi-Fi.

If your goal is whole-home filtering, head to the router settings or use DNS filtering. That's the only way to truly cover everything.

Why Screen Time Sometimes Fails to Block a Site and How to Fix It

Let's start with a direct answer: Screen Time fails when the filter isn't actually enabled, when a subdomain slips through, or when a third-party browser bypasses the restriction. Most failures are configuration issues, not hardware problems or malicious bypasses.

Here are the most common situations we've seen, along with the fixes that work.

Restriction Not Applied to the Right Browser

If you set a block in Safari but your child uses Chrome, the block can fail. Screen Time Web Content restrictions do apply to most browsers that use the system WebKit engine, but some apps use their own rendering engine. The result is uneven coverage.

Fix: test the block in every browser you care about. If one app ignores it, block that app entirely using App Limits or remove it from the device.

Private Browsing Slipping Past

On older versions of iOS, Private Browsing in Safari could display pages even when web restrictions were active. Apple has tightened this in recent versions, but it's still worth checking.

Fix: after setting Web Content restrictions, open Safari, switch to Private Browsing, and try to visit a blocked site. If it loads, disable Safari. Use a whitelisted browser like one of the parental control browsers instead.

The Screen Time Passcode Was Never Set

No passcode, no true block. A motivated person can just walk into Screen Time and turn it off.

Fix: set a Screen Time passcode using an alphanumeric code. Write it down in a secure place. For a child's device, let the parent hold the passcode, never the child.

Allowed Sites List Overrides the Never Allow List

When you choose Allowed Websites Only mode, you explicitly whitelist approved domains. If you accidentally added a site to the Allowed Sites list, that site will always load, even if you also add it to Never Allow. Conflicting rules result in an allowed page.

Fix: review both lists. In Screen Time > Web Content, tap Allowed Sites and make sure the site you want blocked isn't listed there.

Syncing Delay Between Family Devices

Your child's iPhone doesn't always update the block instantly. Screen Time changes sync via iCloud, but the sync can take a moment.

Fix: ask the child to restart the iPhone. If the block still doesn't take effect, check that Screen Time is enabled on the child's device and that they're signed into the same iCloud account.

The Site Is Cached

Sometimes the block works, but Safari shows a cached version of a previously loaded page. This looks like a failure but is actually a storage artifact.

Fix: quit Safari and restart it. If the cached page persists, clear Safari's cache and history through Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.

DNS Filter Is Active and Overriding Screen Time

If you installed a DNS profile for other reasons, a helpful DNS service might intentionally allow the website you've blocklisted. This can happen if your block is not configured inside the DNS service.

Fix: check the DNS service's dashboard and add the domain to its blocklist. Or remove the DNS profile entirely if you don't need it.

When to Do a Hard Reset

If you've checked all of the above and the block still fails, try resetting Screen Time settings.

On the iPhone with the failed block, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Screen Time. You'll lose all Screen Time settings and have to rebuild them. It's a last resort, but it often resolves corrupted settings.

After the reset, set up Screen Time again from scratch. For a parent managing a child, reset the child's Screen Time from the child's device, then reapply restrictions from the parent's phone.

What iPhone Website Blocking Can and Can't Do

Before you sink 20 minutes into configuration, it helps to know exactly what you're buying with that effort. Our research shows that most users abandon these tools because they expected more than iOS actually offers.

The most misunderstood limitation is in-app browsing. When you tap a link inside an app like Telegram or TikTok, the page often opens in a custom browser view. Screen Time's Web Content filter usually catches it, but not always.

Some apps force their own content because of how they're built.

The surest way around this gap is to block the app itself with App Limits. That's a heavier hammer, but it never misses.

Screen Time also can't block paid subscriptions or one-time offers inside an app. That's a separate control called Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases. Don't confuse the two.

And if the person you're protecting understands VPNs, you have a problem. A VPN tunnel can reroute traffic around both Screen Time and DNS filters. The best defense is to disable VPN installation on a child's phone via Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allow Changes > VPN Configuration.

For your own phone, that doesn't apply.

Your Final Decision Guide: Choose the Right Blocking Workflow

Now that you've seen every method, let's close with a clear route to follow. Answer one question, then move to the next branch.

Question 1: Are you blocking your own phone or a child's phone?

• Your own phone. Go straight to Screen Time. Set a passcode you won't remember, and add your distraction sites to the Never Allow list. If you also want to filter adult content, choose Limit Adult Websites.
• A child's phone. You need Family Sharing set up first. Then manage Screen Time remotely from your own iPhone.

Question 2: Does the block need to survive a technical challenge?

• No, it's more of a reminder. A simple Screen Time passcode is enough.
• Yes, your child or employee knows iOS. Use Screen Time with a random alphanumeric passcode, disable VPN installation, and consider adding a DNS profile that requires your Apple ID to remove.

Question 3: Do you need to block across multiple devices?

• Only this iPhone. Stick with Screen Time. It works everywhere on this device, including offline.
• The whole house. Change your router's DNS settings to a filtering service. That covers phones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs.
• Devices outside the home too. Install a DNS profile on each iPhone. Remember that router settings don't follow your child to school.

Question 4: Do you need category-level filtering beyond adult content?

• No. Screen Time's Limit Adult Websites is enough.
• Yes, you want to block gambling, social media, or custom categories. Add a filtered DNS service like NextDNS or CleanBrowsing. Those services let you check specific boxes instead of just "adult."

Putting It Together

Follow this map and you won't waste time on tools that don't fit.

Expert Tips: Fine-Tuning Screen Time for Different Needs

You've got the core workflow. These extra adjustments make the difference between a block that's respected and one that's just decorative.

Combine Downtime with Web Restrictions

Downtime doesn't just lock apps. It also blocks websites when Web Content restrictions are on. This is perfect for enforcing a no phones during homework rule.

Set Downtime to start at 7:00 PM for younger kids and 10:00 PM for teens. During that window, even allowed sites are blocked unless you add them to Always Allowed.

Use Always Allowed for Truly Approved Sites

Under Screen Time > Always Allowed, you can add specific apps or websites that should work during Downtime. For example, a homework portal that your child needs to access after 8 PM.

The trick is to keep that list tiny. One flashcard app, maybe one reference site. If too many exceptions stack up, Downtime loses its meaning.

Disable Siri Web Search

Siri has a direct web search feature that can skip some blocks. A curious child can ask Siri to search for a website and bypass Safari.

Go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and turn off Siri & Dictation. That search workaround disappears with one tap.

Lock Down the App Store

Web content is meaningless if your child can download a browsing app that ignores restrictions. Use Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases and set Installing Apps to Don't Allow. Then change Deleting Apps to Don't Allow too.

Now the child can't remove the browser or add a new one without your involvement.

Create a Shared Family Passcode

If both parents manage restrictions, set the same Screen Time passcode. Write it down somewhere safe. When one parent forgets it, the other can recover without erasing the phone.

Never use the same passcode as the device unlock code. That's the first thing a child tries.

Bookmark a Whitelist Page

If you use Allowed Websites Only, create a single bookmark on the home screen that points to a kid-safe search engine. That shortcut becomes your child's entry point to the internet. It's not a perfect cage, but it keeps them in the expected neighborhood.

Maintaining Your Website Blocks: When and How to Review

No block system is set-and-forget. Websites change, children grow, and new browser apps appear. A quarterly review keeps the system honest.

Set a Maintenance Schedule

When a Child Hacks Past the Block

You will likely find out in one of two ways. Either the child brags about it, or you notice the settings changed. In both cases, don't panic.

Reset the Screen Time passcode first. Then walk through every settings screen as if you're new. A determined teenager can disable restrictions, but usually they don't bother to change the options back.

A fresh layer of protection is enough.

Update Your Blocklist as Sites Evolve

Social media platforms spawn new domains all the time. Instagram adds a new endpoint, Facebook spins up another subdomain. Your Never Allow list grows stale.

Once a month, check trending websites or review your child's Screen Time report. Add any new domains that appear in large numbers. DNS filtering services update their blocklists automatically, which is another reason to layer one over Screen Time.

Watch Out for the Private Browsing Workaround

Private Browsing doesn't bypass Screen Time, but it can hide the trail. If your child uses Private Browsing, you won't see blocked attempts in the Screen Time report.

Force Safari to use a non-private window by testing it yourself. If you see the restriction message, you're good. If not, disable Safari entirely and use a child-friendly browser that respects Screen Time.

When to Change the Passcode

Change the Screen Time passcode at the start of every school year. Your home Wi-Fi password might change, tablets get handed down, and kids get cleverer. A fresh passcode breaks any pattern they've figured out.

Don't reuse the old one. Use a random alphanumeric string stored in a password manager. That's not paranoia.

That's parenting in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block websites on iPhone without Screen Time?

Yes. You can use a DNS filtering service at the router level, install a configuration profile for a service like NextDNS or CleanBrowsing, or use a dedicated parental control browser app. These options work without touching Screen Time.

They're often better for whole-home filtering because they cover every device.

How do I unblock a website on iPhone?

Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content. Scroll to the Never Allow section, tap Edit, and delete the website you want to unblock. If you're using Allowed Websites Only, remove the site from the Allowed Sites list.

For DNS filtering, log into the service dashboard and remove the domain from your blocklist.

Can my child bypass Screen Time?

A determined child can attempt to remove the Screen Time profile or a DNS profile if they know how. The usual bypass methods include resetting the device, using a VPN, or asking Siri to open content. The best defenses are a strong alphanumeric Screen Time passcode, restricting VPN and profile installation through Content & Privacy Restrictions, and keeping the App Store locked down.

Does Screen Time work on Chrome or other browsers?

Screen Time's Web Content restrictions generally apply to any browser built on WebKit, which includes Safari and most third-party iOS browsers like Chrome and Firefox. The catch is in-app browser views. Some apps render web content with their own engine and can slip past Screen Time.

For those, use App Limits to block the whole app.

What's the difference between Limit Adult Websites and Allowed Websites Only?

Limit Adult Websites blocks known adult content while allowing everything else. It's a broad filter. Allowed Websites Only blocks everything except a short list of sites you manually approve.

Allowed Websites Only is stricter and works best for young children who only need a few safe destinations.

How do I block specific apps like YouTube or TikTok on iPhone?

Use App Limits under Screen Time. Tap Add Limit, choose the app category, and set a time limit of one minute. The app will lock after a minute, and the user can request more time.

For a permanent block, use Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and turn off the specific app. The app disappears from the home screen entirely.