Methods to block web sites on Safari [on Mac, iPhone, and iPad]

I ceaselessly run into conditions the place I want to dam sure web sites for various causes. Typically, I work on initiatives that want me to ban a web site on Safari, or I wish to keep away from distractions and keep centered.

I do know Apple gives Display screen Time, however this characteristic could prohibit web sites on Safari that you just don’t wish to block.  Over the months, I attempted and examined plenty of methods and third-party instruments. So, I’m placing all the pieces that labored for me and can absolutely be just right for you, too. 

So, let’s start.

Why block web sites in Safari

You may wish to prohibit web site entry in Safari in your Apple gadgets for these causes:

• Preserve children from accessing inappropriate content material
• Keep away from distractions like social media
• Preserve secure from malware
• Your work requires blocking sure web sites

Or there may be every other cause.

Block web sites in Safari throughout gadgets utilizing Display screen Time

Apple Display screen Time is a free, built-in characteristic that permits you to

• View time spent in your system, by app and web site
• Schedule time away 
• Set a time restrict for an app or web site use

All with an in depth report! Let’s see the best way to use Display screen Time to restrict entry to web sites.

Restrict entry to web sites utilizing Display screen Time on Mac

So, the best way to block web sites on Safari on Mac utilizing Display screen Time? Both for your self or for a child in your Household Sharing group, right here’s the best way to restrict entry and block websites in Safari:

1. Сlick the Apple icon > System Settings.
2. Click on Display screen Time > Content material & Privateness > Flip it on.

3. Click on App Retailer, Media, Net, & Video games.

4. Subsequent to Entry to Net Content material, choose Restrict Grownup Web sites in Entry to Net Content material or Allowed Web sites Solely > Customise the web sites you wish to block.

Please observe that solely restricted web sites can be inaccessible, so watch out when utilizing Display screen Time to dam web sites and apps on Mac.

Arrange Display screen Time on iPhone and iPad to dam web sites in Safari iOS

To dam a particular web site in Safari in your iPhone or iPad, comply with these steps for the most recent iOS variations:

1. Open Settings app > Display screen Time.
2. Faucet Content material & Privateness Restrictions > Flip it on.

3. Faucet App Retailer, Media, Net & Video games > Net Content material.

4. Faucet Restrict Grownup Web sites or Solely Permitted Web sites > Customise.

Block web sites in Safari throughout gadgets

For a lot of, preserving distractions at bay and offering a secure searching surroundings for youngsters is a high precedence. With Apple’s Display screen Time characteristic, you possibly can block web sites in your Mac, iPhone, and iPad abruptly. I began utilizing it to cut back my doomscrolling, notably on social media, which has considerably improved my productiveness.

What’s even higher is that when you arrange the restrictions, they mechanically sync throughout all of your Apple gadgets so long as you’re signed in with the identical Apple ID. This implies there isn’t any additional effort required to use the identical guidelines all over the place.

Right here’s the best way to block web sites throughout all gadgets:

1. In your iPhone, open the Settings app.
2. Faucet Display screen Time.
3. Activate Share Throughout Units.

This may sync your Display screen Time settings on all gadgets signed in to your iCloud account. 

Methods to block web sites on Safari with out Display screen Time

Apple’s Display screen Time is simple to make use of however has some main drawbacks. As an example, you have got fewer methods to dam customers from accessing undesirable apps and web sites, much less granular scheduling, and worst, there are methods to bypass Display screen Time.

Use AdLock to dam advertisements on all web sites

I don’t at all times depend on Display screen Time, notably when blocking advertisements and pop-ups on sure web sites that I nonetheless wish to use in Safari. For this, I exploit AdLock. 

In my expertise to date, AdLock is a strong instrument to dam annoying browser advertisements. It protects you from cyber threats and information leaks by blocking annoying pop-ups, advertisements, autoplay movies, and malicious websites. And it’s obtainable on macOS and iOS, so all of your Apple gadgets can share the identical blocking settings.

Right here’s the best way to use AdLock on iPhone:

1. Set up and open AdLock.
2. Open the Settings app > Faucet Safari > Extensions.
3. Faucet the extension you wish to allow with AdLock.
4. Activate Permit Extension.

If you wish to use AdLock in your Mac, set up and open the app > Within the menu bar, click on Advert Blocking > Choose ON. Alternatively, go to Settings and modify your preferences.

Methods to block web sites on Safari on macOS

Thankfully, there are some simpler, sooner, and simpler methods (apart from Display screen Time) to dam web sites on Safari on macOS. Let’s examine them out one after the other:

Block web sites in Safari utilizing Terminal

Enhancing the host file in your Mac is a helpful solution to block web sites throughout all browsers, together with Safari. It does want a little bit of tech know-how since messing up the host file may cause issues. 

When you’re cool with utilizing Terminal, simply comply with these steps fastidiously:

1. Open Finder > Functions > Utilities > Terminal.
2. Kind sudo nano /and so forth/hosts > Return to open the host file.
3. Scroll to the underside of the file and add the next strains for every web site you wish to block: 127.0.0.1   instance.com and 127.0.0.1   www.instance.com.
4. Exchange instance.com with the web site you wish to block.
5. Press Management + O to avoid wasting the file > Return > Press Management + X to exit.
6. For the adjustments to take impact, clear the DNS cache. Kind sudo dscacheutil -flushcache sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
7. Open an online browser and take a look at accessing the blocked web site. It ought to now not load.

Methods to block web sites on Safari on iOS

I’ve already listed the steps for the best way to block web sites on Safari on iPhone and iPad utilizing Display screen Time. So, in the event you don’t want Display screen Time, you should use strategies like Distraction Management.

Block web sites with iOS 18 Distraction Management

With iOS 18, Apple launched Distraction Management, a characteristic designed to assist customers focus by minimizing distractions on net pages. It simplifies your searching expertise by hiding pointless components for a cleaner and extra centered view.

Right here’s the way it works:

1. Go to a web site.
2. Press the Web page Menu button icon close to the handle bar.
3. Faucet Disguise Distracting Gadgets.
4. Choose components of the net web page you don’t wish to see.
5. Faucet Disguise > Carried out.

Observe: You received’t be capable to scroll an online web page in Distraction Mode. So, if you wish to cover a number of components, faucet Carried out, discover the half, and set off the characteristic once more.

Methods to block web sites throughout all of your gadgets

You’ll be able to sync your Display screen Time settings throughout all of your Apple gadgets. Alternatively, you possibly can strive the next strategies. However these are extra technical:

You might wish to be certain that sure web sites usually are not accessible throughout all gadgets linked to a specific iCloud account. You are able to do this utilizing your broadband router or OpenDNS. Preserve studying to learn the way these strategies work.

Blocking web sites utilizing your broadband router

Blocking web sites on a router is an effective way to limit content material in your community. All you want is to comply with some fundamental configuration steps, create a brand new rule, and add the web sites you wish to block. 

Bear in mind, blocking web sites on the router degree means you’ll not be capable to entry these web sites on any system linked to your router.

The steps could differ from router to router, however the common steps are:

1. Kind your router’s IP handle in your browser’s handle bar.
2. Press Return.
3. Log in together with your admin username and password.
4. Go to Settings or Superior Settings.
5. Find the choice to dam web sites.

Sadly, there are methods to bypass these restrictions. I counsel combining this with different strategies like parental management and web filtering through the use of dependable apps.

Block entry to web sites utilizing OpenDNS

For the uninitiated, OpenDNS is a cloud-based service providing superior community safety and efficiency. It protects customers from malware, phishing, and different cyberattacks. OpenDNS means that you can use its DNS servers as an alternative of your ISP’s (Web service supplier), thus including a layer of safety towards cyber threats.

To dam particular web sites utilizing OpenDNS, do that:

1. Log into your OpenDNS account.
2. Click on Settings.
3. Click on the IP handle on which you wish to block the websites.
4. Add area.
5. Enter the web site you wish to block.

That’s all. Select the strategy that works finest for you and comply with the directions to dam the web sites.

Methods to unblock web sites on Safari

Whether or not it’s because of Display screen Time restrictions, parental controls, and even customized community settings, regaining entry doesn’t need to be onerous. I bear in mind being locked out of a analysis web site throughout an essential undertaking and unblocking it was a fast repair as soon as I knew the place to look. When you’re dealing with an analogous situation, you possibly can simply unblock web sites in your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

Unlock web sites in Safari on Mac

If you wish to be certain that all the pieces (each kind of content material) is accessible in your MacBook, merely flip off Content material & Privateness restrictions. Disabling this setting means you possibly can entry any web site with none restrictions. To do that:

1. Click on the Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Click on Display screen Time.
3. Click on Content material & Privateness and switch it off. 
4. Click on App Retailer, Media, Net & Video games.
5. Choose Unrestricted Entry for Entry to Net Content material.

Unblock sure web sites in Safari

There may be conditions if you wish to unblock a number of particular web sites. If that’s the case, you must comply with the identical course of as above until step 5. Then comply with the steps listed under:

1. Choose Restrict Grownup Web sites.
2. Click on Customise.
3. Choose the web site you wish to unblock within the Restricted record.
4. Click on the minus icon.
5. Click on Carried out.

Unlock web sites on Safari on iPhone or iPad

You’ll be able to entry blocked web sites in Safari by altering iPhone Settings.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Faucet Display screen Time.
3. Faucet Content material & Privateness Restrictions.
4. Faucet App Retailer, Media, Net, & Video games.
5. Faucet Net Content material.
6. Select Unrestricted Entry.

Methods to block web sites on Safari: Last ideas

There are a number of methods to dam web sites on Safari, comparable to Display screen Time, your broadband router, OpenDNS, and extra. As well as, use the apps talked about on this weblog as a result of you could discover them very helpful for blocking web sites and staying secure on-line. 

As an example, the Focus app can simply block distracting apps, web sites, or particular net pages. Or use OpenIn to create customized guidelines for hyperlink opening.

These apps can be found with a single subscription to the Setapp platform, the place one can find 250+ extremely helpful iOS and macOS apps. Give it a attempt to entry all of the apps with a 7-day free trial.