How Can I Block Websites on Safari ?

Blocking websites on Safari isn’t just about cutting distractions. It's about regaining control—over your time, your productivity, and your digital safety.

Whether you're a parent looking to shield your kids from inappropriate content, a student trying to focus on assignments, or just someone tired of endlessly scrolling certain sites, learning how to block websites on Safari is a game changer.

But if you’re here, it means you're facing a problem: you want to limit access to specific websites, and you’re unsure of the best, most reliable way to do it on Safari. The good news? There are ways to do it—and we’ll walk you through every single method step by step.

Let’s dive into what your options are, how they work, and what to watch out for if you don’t take action.

Why Block Websites on Safari?

Before jumping into how, it helps to understand why blocking websites is worth doing in the first place. Some of the most common reasons include:

1. Focusing and Productivity

Endless access to distracting websites like social media, YouTube, and news feeds can hijack your attention for hours. Blocking them—even temporarily—can help you get into a deep focus state.

2. Parental Controls

If your child uses Safari on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you may want to prevent them from visiting inappropriate or unsafe websites. Blocking adult content or dangerous sites can give you peace of mind.

3. Limiting Addictions or Habits

Sometimes you need to set boundaries with your own habits—like doomscrolling or late-night TikTok binges. Blocking sites can be part of a healthier routine.

4. Security and Safety

Certain sites are known to be malicious or scammy. Blocking them adds a layer of defense.

Safari Website Blocking on Different Devices

Safari is available on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Each platform has slightly different tools and settings for blocking websites. We’ll break down each method based on your device:

• Mac (macOS)

• iPhone/iPad (iOS/iPadOS)

We’ll cover built-in methods and third-party options that offer more advanced control.

How to Block Websites on Safari for Mac

Method 1: Use Screen Time on macOS

Screen Time isn’t just for kids. Apple added it to macOS for anyone to track usage, set limits, and restrict content—including specific websites.

Step-by-Step:

1. Go to System Settings > Screen Time.

2. If it’s your first time, enable Screen Time.

3. Click Content & Privacy.

4. Toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions.

5. Go to Web Content > Choose Limit Adult Websites.

6. Under “Never Allow,” click the + button to add URLs you want to block.

Pros:

• Native to macOS—no extra software needed.

• You can lock it with a Screen Time passcode to prevent changes.

Cons:

• Requires a macOS account for each user if you want different rules per person.

• Limited customization.

Method 2: Use Terminal + Hosts File (Advanced)

This is for power users. Editing your Mac’s hosts file redirects URLs and can be used to block them.

How:

1. Open Terminal.

2. Type sudo nano /etc/hosts and press Enter.

3. Add a line like:127.0.0.1 www.example.com

4. Save the file (Control + O, then Enter).

5. Flush DNS:sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Now when you visit that site, Safari won’t load it.

Pros:

• Totally offline method.

• Works system-wide—not just in Safari.

Cons:

• Easy to mess up if you’re not careful.

• Admin rights needed.

Method 3: Third-Party Apps for macOS

Some apps are purpose-built to block distractions and websites.

Popular options:

• Focus (heyfocus.com)

• Freedom (freedom.to)

• Cold Turkey (getcoldturkey.com)

These allow you to:

• Schedule blocks (e.g. “block Instagram from 9–5”)

• Set lock modes

• Track your usage over time

Pros:

• Super customizable.

• Works across all browsers.

Cons:

• Not free.

• May not work well with older macOS versions.

How to Block Websites on Safari for iPhone and iPad

Method 1: Use Screen Time on iOS/iPadOS

Screen Time on mobile is the simplest and most reliable way to block Safari websites.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.

2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

3. Enable it, and go to Content Restrictions > Web Content.

4. Tap Limit Adult Websites.

5. Tap Add Website under Never Allow, and type in the site’s URL.

Pros:

• Native to iOS—no need to download anything.

• You can prevent changes using a passcode.

Cons:

• Doesn’t block sites inside other apps like Chrome or third-party browsers.

• Limited scheduling (can’t block for just part of the day).

Method 2: Guided Access (Temporary Block)

If you want to block everything except one app or site, use Guided Access.

Steps:

1. Enable it in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.

2. Launch the app or Safari with a desired website open.

3. Triple-click the Side or Home button to start Guided Access.

   
   

Pros:

• Useful for kids or kiosk mode.

• Blocks the entire device from being used outside the app.

Cons:

• Not really for blocking websites—more for limiting usage to one app.

Method 3: Use DNS Services (Router Level or App-Based)

Changing DNS settings can block websites before they even load.

How:

1. Use a free DNS service like:

   • OpenDNS (home.opendns.com)

   • CleanBrowsing (cleanbrowsing.org)

2. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Tap your connection > Configure DNS.

3. Set it to Manual, and enter the DNS IPs provided by the service.

Pros:

• Works across all apps, not just Safari.

• Centralized control (great for families).

Cons:

• Techy setup.

• Doesn’t work if user switches to cellular data (you’ll need to block that too).

What Happens If You Don’t Block Websites?

Sometimes we hesitate to act, thinking we’ll just "use willpower" or "try to cut back."

But here’s the truth:

• Without blocking, you’re more likely to slip into bad habits.

• Without boundaries, kids may access harmful or disturbing content.

• Without structure, focus gets hijacked—over and over again.

And the cost? Time, attention, mental health, and peace of mind.

Blocking websites is a small step that protects you from all that noise.

FAQs

Q: Can I block websites only during certain times?

Yes, but Apple doesn’t let you schedule website blocking in Screen Time by default. You’ll need apps like Freedom or Focus to do that.

Q: Will blocking work in Chrome or Firefox on Mac?

Screen Time and hosts file edits work system-wide, but some third-party blockers only target Safari. Check the app’s compatibility list.

Q: Can kids just use a different browser to get around blocks?

If you're a parent, go to Screen Time > Allowed Apps and disable other browsers, or use DNS filtering at the router level for stronger control.

Conclusion: Take Back Control—One Website at a Time

Blocking websites on Safari isn’t about punishment. It’s about protecting what matters: your time, your focus, and your family. The tools are there—Screen Time, hosts file tweaks, third-party apps, or DNS filtering. Whether you want a quick fix or full control, there’s a method that fits.

But not taking action means you’re leaving the door wide open—to distractions, to wasted hours, to unsafe content.

Set it up once, and you’ll thank yourself every day after.More focus. Fewer distractions. More you time.

Sources

• Apple Support – Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

• Apple Developer – Managing Content Restrictions with Screen Time

• OpenDNS – FamilyShield & Parental Controls

• CleanBrowsing – DNS Filtering for Families

• Freedom App – Block Websites & Apps

• Focus App – Mac Productivity App