Safari is the default browser for all Apple devices. Since the browser is optimized based on Apple’s software, it works seamlessly on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices. Safari has a native option to block websites. Similar to blocking websites on Chrome, you can block age-restricted websites or particular websites based on your preference. Here’s how to block websites on Safari from your iPhone, iPad, and Mac PCs.
Block Websites on Safari using Screen Time
On both iPhones and Mac PCs, you can use the Screen Time app to block the websites. Screen Time is the device monitoring tool that is pre-installed on all iPhones, iPads, and Mac PCs. You can either block a set of websites or can allow a set of websites and block the remaining. The steps involved in blocking websites on Mac and iPhone vary slightly.
How to Block Websites on iOS/iPadOS
1. On your iPhone/iPad, go to the Settings app.
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2. Look for Screen Time and then tap on it.
3. Under Screen Time, tap on the Content & Privacy Restrictions option.
4. Now, tap on Content Restrictions and choose Web Content from it.
5. Tap the Limit Adult Websites option.
6. Tap on Add Website under the Never Allow field, then enter the URL of the website to be blocked.
Note: You can also use the Always allow field and add a website that can be viewed regretless the restrictions.
How to Whitelist Specific Sites on iOS/iPadOS
1. Go to the Content & Privacy Restrictions section.
2. Under Web Content, select Allowed Websites Only.
3. Now, enter the URL of the websites which need to be whitelisted.
4. Under the Allowed Websites column, add the websites that you want to access and then click OK.
How to Block Websites on Mac
You can block websites on the Safari browser from your Mac device using multiple methods.
Get the newly added features by updating Safari on Mac to the latest version.
From System Preference
1. Click on the Apple icon located in the top right corner of the Menu Bar.
2. Now, select System Preferences and then navigate to Screen Time.
3. Go ahead and click on Content & Privacy, then turn the toggle ON (ignore if you have already turned ON the toggle).
4. Under Web Content, choose Limit Adult Websites and then click on Customize.
5. You will be provided with Allow and Restricted sections. Click on the Plus(+) icon under the Restricted section.
6. Now, enter the URL of the website you want to block and click OK.
Using Terminal
1. Launch Terminal and back up the host file by typing
sudo /bin/cp /etc/hosts /etc/hosts-original
2. Type in the Mac user ID and password. Then tap Return.
3. Now, Type
sudo nano /etc/hosts
4. Enter the URL of the website you wish to block in a new line with the local IP address before it. You can add multiple websites that you wish to block.
5. Press Ctrl O and tap Return to block and save the websites.
6. Once done, exit the Terminal by pressing Ctrl X.
Using Third-Party Blockers
You can install third-party blockers to block unwanted websites from your Safari browser.
BlockSite is one of the popular apps available on the App Store. Using the app, you can easily block websites, keywords, and certain categories on Safari from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Blocksite is built to keep you stay focused on your work by avoiding direction from unwanted ads, websites, popups, and more. Not only does the app block websites from Safari but also from other browsers like Firefox, Chrome, etc.
Other Similar Apps
- RescueTime –App Store Link
- Focus – App Store Link
How to Whitelist Specific Sites on Mac
On the other hand, you can block all the websites and allow access to some particular sites on Safari. To do that,
1. Navigate to System preferences > Screen Time > Content & Privacy on Mac.
2. This time, choose Allowed Websites Only.
3. Under Web Content, then click Customize.
The Screen Time tool on Apple devices is also called Parental Control in the previous versions.
FAQ
To block a website on Safari without the Screen Time app, you must use third-party apps like Safari Website Blocker.
Yes, the Parental Control feature on iPhone, iPad, and Mac will restrict your kids from accessing explicit websites in the Safari browser.
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