how do i block websites on safari macbook

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How to Block Websites on Safari on Mac: 5 Best Ways

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewed by

Last updated: December 22, 2023

Expert verified

To block websites on Safari on a Mac, use one of the following methods:

• Set up Screen Time in System Settings and choose Content & Privacy to limit adult websites or specify only allowed websites​ ​.
• Access your router’s settings via its IP address and use the Access Restrictions or Parental Controls to block specific websites​.
• Install a web blocker extension from the App Store.
• Download and use third-party web blocker apps.
• Use the sudo nano /etc/hosts command to edit the host file via Terminal to block specific websites.

I know how easy it is to get distracted online, especially when trying to work or study on a Mac. That’s why I put together this guide with simple, straight-to-the-point steps that I use myself to keep focused. These methods really work whether you’re aiming to stay focused, manage your online activities, or just streamline your browsing.

Before We Begin

Besides blocking websites on your Mac, you should also remove adware and unwanted programs. Download MacKeeper and use its Adware Cleaner to avoid annoying pop-ups that send you to websites you don’t want to visit.

How to Block a Website on Safari on Mac

There are different solutions for blocking websites on Safari. Below, I’ve shared some quick ways to block websites on Safari.

1. Use Screen Time

Screen Time is a feature in macOS, iOS, and iPadOS that allows you to set limits on app usage, including Safari. You can use Screen Time to block specific websites or categories of websites during certain times of the day. You can also use it to block all websites and whitelist some specific ones.

For macOS 10.15 Catalina or Later

Here’s how to use Screen Time to block websites on Safari on your Mac:

• Open the Apple menu and click System Settings .

• Click Screen Time in System Settings and select Content & Privacy .

• Click Content Restrictions .

• A new window will appear. Click the drop-down icon next to Access to Web Content and select Limit Adult Websites .

If you want to manage your time on specific websites using Safari, you can do that with Screen Time. Here are the steps for setting a time limit for certain websites on Safari on a Mac:

• Click Screen Time in System Settings and select App Limits .

• In the App Limits section, toggle on the App Limits switch and click the Add Limit button to create a new restriction.

• Scroll down to the end of the list until you find the option for Websites .

• Click the dropdown arrow next to Websites to specify which websites you want to set time limits for.
• Select a website from the list or add a URL.
• In the Time section, specify the time you wish to allow for this site. This is the duration for which you can access the site each day.
• Once you have set the time limit, click Done .

For iOS 12 or Later and iPadOS

Here’s how to use Screen Time to block websites on Safari on your iPhone or iPad:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
• Tap  Screen Time .
• If Screen Time isn’t already enabled, tap Turn On Screen Time , then tap Continue . If it’s for your iPhone, select This is My iPhone .
• Tap  Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle on the Content & Privacy Restrictions switch.
• Tap  Content Restrictions  and select Web Content .
• Select  Limit Adult Websites .
• Tap  Add Website in the Never Allow section.
• Type the website URL you want to restrict in the URL field and tap  Done .

2. Change Router Settings

If you block websites through your router settings, it stops those sites on every device using your Wi-Fi. You just need to go into your router’s settings and choose the websites you want to block.

Here are the steps to block websites on Safari using router settings:

• Open your web browser and enter your router’s IP address in the address bar. You can usually find this information on the back of your router or in the manual.
• Enter your login credentials when prompted. The default username and password should be listed in your router’s manual if you need to change them.
• Look for the Access Restrictions or Parental Controls section in your router’s settings. It may be under the Advanced or Security tab.
• Choose the Website Blocking or Block Sites option.
• Enter the URL you want to block in the Website URL field. Some routers may also allow you to block websites based on keywords.
• Save the settings and exit the router’s interface.

3. Install A Web Blocker Extension

You can also add a browser extension to your web browser to do different things, including blocking websites. Safari doesn’t have a dedicated store for extensions, like Chrome. Instead, you have to download them from the App Store.

For Safari, I recommend a website-blocking extension called StayFree, a popular choice among Mac users.

For macOS 10.12 or Later

• Open Safari on your Mac.
• Click Safari in the menu bar and select Safari Extensions . This will open the App Store.

• In the App Store, type StayFree in the search bar and click Get > Install next to the app name in the results.

• Wait for the extension to install. Once it’s installed, you might get this notification in Safari. Click the Turn On Extensions button.

• Close Safari and reopen it. You should now see the extension’s icon near the address bar.

• To block a site, click the extension icon, and select Focus Mode Settings .

• It will open a new window. Click the Add Website button.

• Type the website URL and click Save . It will block the website and you won’t be able to reload it until you remove it from the Blocked Website list.

For iOS 15 or Later and iPadOS 15 or Later

iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 support web extensions for Safari. To add a Safari website blocker extension to your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

• Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
• Navigate to Safari .
• Select Extensions > More Extensions . This directs you to the App Store, showing compatible Safari extensions.
• Pick a web blocker extension for screen time control, and download it.
• Activate the Safari extension by going to Settings > Safari > Extensions .
• Find the web blocker extension you’ve installed and turn it on.

4. Use Third-Party Web Blocker Apps

Third-party web blocker apps offer another effective solution for managing online content access on Mac. These apps work by letting you make a list of websites you want to block. This stops you from accessing these sites for certain times you choose or all the time.

Here are some third-party web blocker apps that you might consider using:

• Cisdem AppCrypt : Cisdem AppCrypt is not just a website blocker, it also locks apps with a password. For website blocking, you can create a blacklist or whitelist and set up a schedule to block sites during certain times.
• 1Focus : 1Focus lets you block distracting websites and apps. It’s simple to use and lets you set periods of focus during which specific sites and apps are inaccessible. You can also schedule recurring focus sessions, making it a handy tool for establishing a routine.
• Freedom : Freedom is a popular app for blocking distracting websites and apps across multiple devices. It lets you create blocklists and schedule distraction-free sessions, making it a great tool for improving focus and productivity.
• SelfControl : Specifically for macOS, SelfControl lets you block access to distracting websites, mail servers, or anything else on the Internet. Once you set a period to block for, not even restarting your Mac or deleting the app will disable the block.

5. Map Domain Using Host Files/Terminal

Blocking websites in Safari on your Mac can be done by using host files. These files connect website names to their internet addresses. You can change these files to stop your Mac from reaching certain websites.

Here are the steps to map domain using host files:

• Open the Terminal application on your Mac. You can do this by searching for Terminal using Spotlight or by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal .

• In the Terminal window, type the following command to open the host’s file and press Enter :

• You will be prompted to enter your admin password. Enter it.
• Use the arrow keys to navigate to the bottom of the host’s file.
• To block a website, add the following line to the bottom of the file, replacing example.com with the URL of the website you want to block:
• You can add as many websites as you want by creating a new line for each website.
• Press Control ^ + O to save the changes to the host’s file.

• Press Control ^ + X to exit the editor.

• To make the changes take effect, flush the DNS cache on Mac by typing the following command in the Terminal:

• It will clear the cached DNS entries, forcing the Mac to use the updated host file.

Once you’ve completed these steps, Safari and other browsers on your Mac should no longer be able to access the websites you’ve blocked in the host file.

This method blocks the websites system-wide, so it will affect all users on your Mac. To unblock a website, remove the corresponding line from the host file and flush the DNS cache again.

How to Whitelist Specific Websites on Mac

Once you’ve set up Screen Time to limit websites, most adult websites will become inaccessible. But if you want to allow specific websites only, follow these steps:

• Follow the above steps from 1 to 3, and instead of Limit Adult Websites, select Allowed Websites Only in the Web Content window.

• Click the Customise button that appears.

• In the new window, click the + button in the bottom left corner.

• Type in the name and URL of the website you want to allow and tap Done .

• The website you add will appear in the list.

• Click Done to close the window.

Avoid Distractions While Browsing With MacKeeper

MacKeeper does not offer a feature to block websites on Safari. But it offers an Adware Cleaner that can detect and remove adware and potentially unwanted programs causing unwanted pop-ups or redirects to certain websites. This can indirectly help with blocking certain websites.

To use the Adware Cleaner feature in MacKeeper:

• Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
• Open MacKeeper and click Adware Cleaner in the left sidebar.

• Click Open .

• Click Start Scan to scan your system for adware and potentially unwanted programs.

• Once the scan is complete, review the list of detected items and select the ones you want to remove.
• If there are no malicious files, you’ll get a No items found message on your screen. Click Rescan to run the scan again or close the program.

While this may not directly block websites on Safari, removing adware and potentially unwanted programs can prevent unwanted pop-ups or redirects to those websites. So, it’s worth a try.

What Else Can MacKeeper Do?

Besides removing adware on your Mac, MacKeeper can block ads on your Mac , disable pop-ups on Safari and other browsers, and remove browser extensions . Check out my MacKeeper review to learn about these features.

Why Would You Need to Block Websites on Safari?

Blocking websites on Safari can be necessary for several reasons:

• 🎯 Focus and Productivity : If you find yourself frequently distracted by certain websites while working or studying, blocking them can help maintain focus and boost productivity.
• 👪 Parental Controls : For parents, blocking websites is a way to ensure children don’t access inappropriate content or spend too much time on entertainment sites.
• 🔒 Online Safety : Blocking websites that are known for phishing, scams, or malicious content helps protect your personal information and your device’s security.
• 📶 Bandwidth Management : In some cases, especially in a workplace, blocking websites that consume a lot of bandwidth (like streaming services) can help maintain network performance.
• 💆 Digital Well-being : Sometimes, blocking websites can be a part of a digital detox strategy, helping reduce time spent on addictive sites and improving overall well-being.

In each case, the goal is to create a safer, more focused, and more productive online environment.

Block Unwanted Websites on Safari and Be More Productive

Now that you know how to block websites on Safari, you may want to take your productivity up a notch. Here are some more tips to make your Safari experience better.

• Clear Safari cache on your Mac to improve its performance and prevent slow loading times.
• If your Safari is crashing on Mac , troubleshoot the problem by updating it and clearing the cache and cookies.
• Update Safari on Mac to prevent crashes and improve its security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i unblock websites that i’ve blocked on safari on mac.

Yes, you can unblock websites previously blocked in Safari on your Mac. The method to unblock depends on how you blocked the site initially, whether through browser settings, a parental control app, or system files.

Can I password-protect the blocked websites?

No, you cannot password-protect the blocked websites using the built-in website-blocking feature on Safari. If you want to password-protect your blocked websites, use a third-party app or software that offers this feature.

Will blocking websites on Safari prevent me from accessing them on other devices?

No, blocking websites on Safari will not prevent you from accessing them on other devices. Blocking websites on Safari only affects your Safari browser on the device you set it up on. You can access those websites easily on other devices.

Can I block websites based on specific keywords?

No, you cannot block websites based on specific keywords using the built-in website blocking feature on Safari. However, some third-party apps or browser extensions allow blocking websites based on keywords or phrases.

I'm Hashir, a tech journalist with a decade of experience. My work has been featured in some of the top tech publications like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. I have a bachelor's degree in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and extensive knowledge of Apple hardware, specifically MacBooks. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write in depth guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac and unbiased reviews that help you make the right buying decisions.

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

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How to block websites in Safari using Screen Time on your Mac

• To block a website on Safari, use Screen Time on your Mac.
• You can even block all websites and only allow specific, approved sites.
• Alternatively, you can install a third-party website blocker — but setup will vary from app to app.

The internet can be an incredible resource, but it can also be a dangerous place, particularly for young children. But there are options to limit which sites your computer can have access to. 

If you have a Mac, there are built-in options, including blocking specific sites, limiting access to approved sites, or using a third-party website blocker.

Here's what you'll need to do:

How to block websites on Safari 

You can block sites using Screen Time on Mac computers. Here's how:

1. Click the Apple icon, located in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Preferences .

2. Choose Screen Time .

3. Click Content and Privacy in the left sidebar.

4. Click Turn On , located towards the top-right corner of the window (unless you've already enabled the feature).

5. Choose Limit Adult Websites , then click Customize .

6. In the Restricted section, click the plus symbol.  

7. Add the desired URL and hit Ok .

8. Hit Ok .

How to block everything and whitelist specific sites

1. Go into Screen Time through  your Mac's System Preferences.

2. Choose Content and Privacy in the left sidebar.

3. Click Allowed websites only and then hit Customize .

4. Add your allowed websites and then hit Ok .

How to block websites with third-party blockers

If you prefer, you can use a third-party website blocker. However, the way you'd set those up will depend on the app you choose. Here are a few options:

• Main content

How to Permanently Block Websites on Safari on Mac

You can access just about any website on Safari, but there are times when you’d want to block some websites for one reason or another. Maybe you share your Mac with your family, or your kids use it for school and entertainment. Maybe you just prefer not to access certain websites. Whatever the reason, Mac allows you to block websites from launching on Safari.

There are several ways to block websites on Safari on your Mac, the obvious being third-party website blocker apps. But you can also block websites using Mac’s Screen Time feature, and in Safari through your router. Not sure how that works? We’ve got you covered. This article will show you all the ways to block websites on Safari on your Mac.

Before we start   Browser extensions can be useful for blocking ads and overall convenience. However, having too many of them can slow down your Mac’s performance. Consider disabling some browser extensions on your Mac. Of course, you can do this manually, but if you want to save time, you can let MacKeeper do it for you in a whim.     That’s just a fraction of what MacKeeper can do for your Mac. Check it out and see for yourself. Download MacKeeper now to keep your MacBook in optimal condition. 

Let’s have a look at all the ways you can block websites on Safari on your Mac.

In this article you will find the following:

• How to block websites on Safari on Mac

You might already know how to block undesirable websites on Google Chrome , but did you know you can also do the same on Safari? You can block unwanted sites on Safari on your Mac in four ways.

How to block websites in Safari on a Mac using Screen Time

Apple’s Screen Time helps you manage and track usage on apps and websites on your Mac. In addition to scheduling downtime and setting limits, it allows you to block unwanted websites on your Mac.  

The first way to do this is by choosing the websites you want to access on Safari:

• Open System Preferences on your Mac, then click on Screen Time
• Click on Content & Privacy on the left of the screen
• In the top-right corner, click Turn On Content & Privacy Restrictions
• Now click on Allowed Websites Only , followed by Customize … to choose a list of websites you want to access through Safari on your Mac. This will block any website not listed from opening. Your Mac will let you know each time it blocks those websites in the background

The second method is to block particular websites.  

• Open System Preferences , then click on Screen Time
• Click on App Limits on the side bar on the left of the screen
• Click Turn On App Limits in the top-right corner
• Now click on the plus icon in the bottom-left corner of the App Limits box
• Scroll down to Websites and click on the arrow on the left to see a list of possible websites to block. You can also add more websites to the list by clicking on the green plus icon and paste or type the URL of the website in the text box . If you want to block that website completely, leave the Time field as is at 0h 0m. Alternatively, you can choose the amount of time you want to spend on the website each day using the arrows next to Every Day . You can also set a custom time by clicking on Custom , followed by Edit . Now choose your daily time limit by checking the boxes

That’s it, you will now only be able to browse the websites you prefer.

How to block websites in Safari on a Mac with Terminal

Terminal is Mac’s interface that allows you to block websites without parental controls. It works by blocking websites from opening on the local IP address. As this is a more technical method, only attempt it if you’re comfortable with using command-line prompts.  

Launch Finder on your Mac:

• Click on Applicatons , then double-click on the Utilities folder
• Double-click on Terminal to launch it
• Start by backing up the host file. This is an important step, in case anything goes wrong. To back up the host file, type “sudo /bin/cp /etc/hosts /etc/hosts-original” on a new line and press the Return key
• Enter your Mac’s admin password when prompted, then press the Return key again.
• Type “sudo nano /etc/hosts”, followed by the Return key
• Using the down arrow key on your Mac, go to a new line and add the URL of the website you want to block, with the local IP address “127.0.0.1” before it, separated by a space. Be sure to add all the versions of the website on a new line, For example, “127.0.0.1 onlyfans.com” and “127.0.0.1 www.onlyfans.com”. Do this for every website you want to block
• When you’re done, press Control-O . Now press the Return key. Your blocked websites are now saved
• To exit Terminal, press Control-X

If you’re uncomfortable with using this method, there are more ways to block websites on Safari.  

Related reading: How to use Terminal command line on your Mac

How to block websites in Safari on a Mac through router

Another way to block websites on your Mac is through your router’s settings:  

1. Find your IP address on your router; it’s usually at the bottom. Alternatively, you can go to your Mac’s System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced… > TCP/IP . Your IP address will be shown next to Router

2. Type the address of the website you want to block in Safari

3. Now type your router’s admin name and password upon request

4. On the Settings page, find the options to block websites, and add each website you want to block

You’re all set. Just remember to do this again if you get a new router in the future.

How to block websites in Safari on a Mac using third-party website blocker apps

Up until now, we’ve showed you multiple ways to block websites on a device level. The final way to block websites on your Mac is with the help of third-party apps. Here are three apps we recommend:

As the name suggests, 1Focus helps you stay focused on any work or task you’re busy with by eliminating distractions, like websites. This is one of the more popular focus apps. Blocking websites on 1Focus is easy.

1Focus allows you to block websites on the free version, but you can do more with in-app purchases. The free version lasts for 14 days, after which you’ll have to pay around $2/month or $10/year, unless you cancel your trial before the trial period is up.

Session allows you to work in 25-minute sessions. What makes it unique is that it has a wellness element to it — the app prompts you to breathe before you start a new session and take a break when you’re done. You can block websites to limit distractions while you work or study. The app is free, but to use the Website Blocker feature, you’ll have to upgrade to the Pro version.

If you’re impressed with the free version of the app and are willing to upgrade, you’re looking at paying around $4/month.

This focus app helps you limit distractions across all your devices simultaneously, unlike other website blockers which are device-specific. Like other apps, Freedom allows you to create a list of blocked websites. Checking the optional Locked Mode box locks in your sessions by not allowing you to edit your blocklists while you work.

Freedom offers you six free sessions. When you’ve used them up, you’ll have to pay $7/month to continue using the app.

• Block unwanted websites easily on your Mac

Mac offers multiple ways to block websites in Safari. Most of these are built-in solutions, but you can also block websites through apps found on the App Store and online. Choose the method that is most suitable to you from the options laid out in this article.

Read more:  

• Why Is Safari Running Slow on Mac? 9 Ways to Fix
• How to Clear Cookies on Mac in Safari, Chrome & Firefox
• How to Delete History in Safari on a Mac in 4 Easy Steps

*You can download the app for free and try its functionality yourself before making a purchase.

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How to block a website on Safari

Block unwanted websites on Safari in just a few short steps

If you own a  MacBook , iPad or iPhone , chances are that you’re using Safari . And if you have kids that use your Apple devices, they’re also using the web browser. However, while you might like to have free reign of your devices, there are some websites you would rather younger users even have access to due to inappropriate content. In those cases, it’s important to know how to block a website on Safari . 

Since the internet can be an unpredictable place for even the most savvy of users,  oftentimes it is best just to limit access to what children can and cannot view. In this tutorial, we will be showing you how to block a website on Safari.

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1) Navigate to the top of your laptop screen and click on the Apple logo . 

2) A dropdown menu will appear . Scroll down in the menu and click on the System Preferences tab.

3) Once in System Preferences, navigate to the bottom of your menu and click on the Parental Controls tab.

4) In the Parental Controls tab, select the account that you wish to make changes to by selecting the name on the right-hand side of the screen, as well as selecting the lock icon.

5) After selecting the lock icon, log into your computer’s administrator account and continue.

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6) Next, select the account that you wish to make changes to on the left side of the screen. The account I will be accessing is called Demo 1.

7) At the top of the task bar, navigate over to the Web tab. Click on the Web tab . While in the tab, click on Try to limit access to adult websites and from there hit Customize.

8) In the Customize tab , scroll down to the bottom of the screen, and click the + icon under the Never allow these websites tab. From there, you may add any website that you wish to be blocked, and the access to that website will be restricted.

9) Log into the other account and attempt to view the blocked site. It should now be inaccessible. 

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How to block websites on a Mac

There are lots of reasons why you might wish to block certain websites on a Mac. Probably the two most common ones are stopping kids from looking at porn on the family computer (but still being able to look things up for homework), and stopping employees from wasting time on Facebook or similar when they should be using work sites.

One method is to install monitoring software on the Mac(s) whose access you want to limit. Possibilities include Norton Family and Net Nanny . Another is to spend some time setting up Parental Controls on the machine they’re going to be using.

But if you only want to set up a few restrictions on a single Mac, it’s probably easier to just tinker with the settings – and we explain how to do this in following tutorial. Note that this applies restrictions to a separate non-admin user account; the main admin account will still be able to access all the sites it wants to.

We’ll assume here that you haven’t already set up a separate user account for your kids or whoever isn’t supposed to be looking at the sites, but if you have – and that account simply needs to have web-access restrictions placed on it – then we’ll explain which steps to skip. This method cannot apply restrictions to administrator accounts.

One final word. You’ll spot a few Safari icons in the following dialogue boxes, but don’t be fooled: the restrictions will apply to any and every web browser on your Mac . You don’t need to set up separate restrictions for Firefox, Chrome and so on.

Open Parental Controls

Open  System Preferences – from the dock, or via the apple icon at the top-left corner of the screen – then select Parental Controls. It’s got a bright yellow icon.

If you can’t see it (and in some versions of Mac OS X the icon will be different), remember that you can find preferences sub-categories using the search field at the top right.

Create a new user account

Since we haven’t yet set up our child-friendly, non-administrator user account, the Parental Controls screen doesn’t have much to offer. Select ‘Create a new user account with parental controls’ and click Continue.

(If you’ve already set up a separate non-admin account, you’ll be seeing rather different options. Skip ahead to the step entitled ‘Web parental controls’.)

User account details

Creating a new user account is simple. Fill in the five fields, selecting a name (the account name will fill in automatically based on this, but you can edit the choice), password and password hint. Hit Continue.

Web parental controls

Now that we’ve got a separate user account to apply them to, we can see the full range of parental controls options. You can restrict the apps the user can open, the contacts they can chat to and the times they can use the Mac, but we’re focusing on restricted websites.

Make sure the correct account is selected in the lefthand pane; we have only one non-administrator account at present, so that’s not an issue here. Select Web (or Content, in older versions of macOS and Mac OS X) in the top bar.

(If another administrator has made changes to the account’s restrictions and then locked it, you’ll need to click the padlock at the bottom left and then enter your admin password.)

Limit adult websites automatically

You’ve got three options: allow the user account to visit any websites; stop the account from visiting adult websites (based on Apple’s own list – but you can add or remove sites from the restricted list); or restrict the account to a whitelist of approved sites.

Let’s start with the second option. Select ‘Try to limit access to adult websites automatically’ (note the word “try” – Apple doesn’t claim that it knows every adult website in the world, so cannot guarantee your child won’t stumble across something dodgy if you use this option) and then click Customize.

Customise the blacklist

On this page we can make modifications to Apple’s blacklist, either preventing access to a site that Apple isn’t aware of (or simply doesn’t classify as adult), or allowing something that’s been wrongly zapped.

Click the + symbol beneath either box and enter the URL of the site to be allowed or blocked. Click OK.

Set up a whitelist of accepted sites

For greater safety, it’s better to go for the whitelist approach – that way you have complete control over the sites your child can visit. (The only way you can get in trouble under this system is if one of the whitelisted sites gets hacked.)

Select the third option – ‘Allow access to only these websites’ – and then start sorting out the list. Apple starts you off with 10 kid-friendly sites. Press the + symbol to add more or organise permitted bookmarks in folders, or highlight one of the sites and press the – button to take it away.

Lock changes

When you’re finished, click on the padlock icon at the bottom left. This locks the settings in place, and will require an admin password in order to change them.

How to unblock websites

Unblocking sites for the account is easy. If you’re working from a whitelist (as in step headlined ‘Set up a whitelist of accepted sites’), you can add sites to the whitelist as you decide your child is ready for them. Or you can just lift all the site restrictions in one go by selecting the first option in the Web tab: ‘Allow unrestricted access to websites’.

Author: David Price , Editor

David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.

Recent stories by David Price:

• WWDC 2024: Everything you need to know
• How to tell if someone’s iPhone is on Do Not Disturb
• How to type a hashtag (#) on Mac

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How to Block Websites in Safari on iPhone and Mac

How to Block Websites in Safari on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS (June 2021)

How to block websites in safari using screen time on iphone and ipad.

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

4. Next up, turn on the switch next to “ Content & Privacy Restrictions ” and tap on the “ Content Restrictions ” option.

Going forward, if someone tries to access the website through Safari, it will show you an “ Access Restricted ” error message. Besides, there will also be a warning saying, “You can’t browse this page at www.xyz.com because it’s restricted.”

How to Block Websites in Safari Using Screen Time on Mac

• Launch “ System Preferences ” from the dock on your Mac. Alternately, click on the Apple icon at the top left corner and click on System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

2. Now, choose Screen Time.

7. That’s it! Now onwards, Safari won’t open this website. Whenever someone tries to open any of the blocked websites, the browser will show a warning saying, “Oops! You can’t see pages on this website. You can’t see the page “https://www.xyz.com/” because it’s not on the approved list in Screen Time.”

How to Block Websites in Safari Using AppCrypt on Mac

• First off, download Cisdem AppCrypt ( Free , in-app purchases available) on your Mac and set a password. Make sure to remember your AppCrypt password as you cannot reset or retrieve it in the future. Click on “Submit” once you are done.

3. Next, click the “+” button at the bottom left and add the URL of the website you want to block in Safari on your Mac. If you want to block all sites except a few, use the Allowlist feature.

How to Block Websites in Safari Using a Third-Party App on iPhone and iPad

• Download the website blocker app ( Free ) on your iPhone or iPad. Then, launch the app and set a login password and log in.

Note : Ensure that the website blocker is enabled in Safari. Open Settings app -> Safari -> Content Blockers (in iOS 14) or Extensions (in iOS 15 or later) and then make sure that the toggle next to the website blocker app is turned on. 

Block Websites in Safari with ease on iOS and macOS

Rajesh Mishra

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.

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How to Block a Website in Any Browser on a Mac

Need to block a website on your Mac? Whatever browser you're using, you can follow these steps to do so.

The internet allows us to access the wealth of human knowledge with a single click. On the other hand, it also allows kids to access potentially harmful content. You can use website blockers to restrict harmful or time-wasting websites, like adult sites or social media.

However, there are easier methods to block websites on your Mac, especially using Screen Time. We’ll cover how to do this below, so keep on reading.

What Is Screen Time?

Screen Time is Apple’s method of helping users control their Mac or iPhone usage. It can be also be used to control and restrict specific websites, whether you’re restricting adult websites, addictive games, or YouTube channels.

Related: How to Use Your Mac’s Screen Time Feature

You can also use Screen Time controls to limit social media use throughout your workday to help you focus on the task at hand instead.

How to Use Screen Time to Block a Website

No matter what your intended use is, blocking a website is very easy in Screen Time. This applies to all browsers you may use on your Mac: Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox, and so on.

To block a website on your Mac, just follow these steps:

• Open System Preferences and go to Screen Time .
• Select App Limits from the left-hand pane. Turn them on if they’re disabled.
• Click the plus ( + ) sign. You’ll see different categories here, which you can choose to limit access to.

Once you have all your restricted websites set up, make sure you set up a Screen Time password to ensure no one can change the settings you made without your permission. To do this, go to Options and choose to Use Screen Time Passcode .

Enable Share across devices to share these settings for all the devices signed in to your iCloud account.

You can choose to block all adult websites through Screen Time. To do this, click on Content & Privacy > Turn On . Select either Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only , depending on what your requirements are. You can switch to the Apps tab and uncheck any internet apps or browsers that you want to disable.

How to Use Terminal to Block a Website

If you are not a fan of the Screen Time method to control web access on your Mac, another method to block websites is by editing the Hosts file in Terminal. This may seem a bit more complicated than Screen Time since it involves the command line. However, it is very easy and straightforward once you get the hang of it.

Related: How to Report Inappropriate Content on YouTube

An advantage of editing the Hosts file for blocking websites rather than using specific browser plugins or extensions is that this method remains valid across all browsers and does not depend on any third-party plugin. On the other hand, extensions can sometimes stop working or may become outdated over time.

The advantage of Terminal over Screen Time is that it would be harder for a child to undo these changes if they gained access to your Screen Time passcode.

To create a block list using a Hosts file, follow the steps below:

• Open up Terminal on your Mac. You can do this by searching for Terminal in Spotlight, or by navigating to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal .
• We’ll be backing up the hosts file first. This will allow us to restore the original file in case something goes wrong. To do this, enter the following line of code into Terminal, and press Return on your keyboard: sudo /bin/cp /etc/hosts /etc/hosts-original
• Type in your administrator password and press the Return key. Note that the cursor will not move from its position as you type your password.
• Once done, type in the command below and press Return on your keyboard. This will open the hosts file. sudo nano -e /etc/hosts
• Type each website on a separate line. Once you’re done, press Control + O followed by Return on your keyboard to save the file, and then Control + X to close the file.
• Type the following command to flush the cache, which will enforce these changes across the browsers. Press Return to enter the command: sudo dscacheutil -flushcach

Blocking Websites in a Specific Browser

There may be some specific cases where you want to block access to certain websites on a specific browser only. For example, you may only use Google Chrome for your work-related stuff, which is why you might want to block social media websites on Chrome only. In such cases, the Screen Time or Terminal method won’t work, as it blocks website access for all browsers. An alternate to this is choosing to block specific websites directly through the browser instead.

Since every browser is different, the method for blocking websites through the browser can be different. Safari blocks websites using Screen Time, whereas you can use blocking extensions , such as Block Site and StayFocusd, to block websites on Google Chrome.

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How to block safari on mac or set time limit on safari.

The Safari web browser is included with Mac computers. Many people want to know how to block Safari on Mac. Blocking access to Safari can help keep your Safari bookmarks, history and other information private. Also, you can set time limits on Safari by blocking Safari during certain times. This article will show you how to do the blocking easily. 

• How to restrict Safari on Mac
• Bonus tips: How to block websites and ads on Safari for Mac

Method 1. How to block Safari on Mac in an easy way

I would like to disable opening Safari on my Mac. I don’t want to delete or modify it in any way. I only want to prevent myself from opening the application itself. Is there any way to stop Safari from opening?

The easiest way to block Safari on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or iMac etc. is to use Cisdem AppCrypt , the best app and website blocker for macOS. With this tool, you can easily control access to Safari for Mac.

AppCrypt main features:

• Block Safari and other apps with password
• Record failed attempts to open blocked apps with date, time and photo
• Block websites with password on Safari, Google Chrome and other browsers
• Let you block websites by category
• Offer a schedule feature to block apps and websites at certain times
• Easy to use
• Hard to bypass
• Help with privacy protection, parental controls and productivity etc.
• Support macOS 10.12 or later

Steps: How to block Safari on Mac

1. Download AppCrypt and install it.

2. When you first open the tool, set a password.

3. In the menu bar, click its icon and choose Open Main Window .

4. Enter the password, and you are in the main window. Click the App Lock tab.

5. Select the Safari app and click Open .

Now Safari is blocked on Mac with password. When you or others such as your child try to open Safari, it won’t open, and the “Safari is locked” message will appear.

If one enters the correct password and then click OK, Safari will open successfully.

To unblock Safari on Mac, enter the password to open AppCrypt’s main window, select Safari and then click Remove App.

Tip 1. Put time limit on Safari by blocking access to Safari during certain hours

With AppCrypt, you can easily block (or password protect) Safari. The same tool also allows you to set time limit on Safari. Under the App Lock tab, select Safari and click the small clock icon that appears. Enable Custom Schedule and click Add Schedule.

Tip 2. Block Safari websites on Mac

Click Web Block in the main window. Add specific websites to block. Or, click the Import dropdown menu and select a category of websites to block.

  Cisdem AppCrypt

The best website blocker for computer.

• Block apps with password
• Block specific sites or categories of sites with password
• Let you  block all sites except a few
• Let you schedule blocking of apps and sites
• Easy to use and customize
• Help you block Safari or put time limit on it
• Can be used to protect privacy, put a parental lock or increase productivity etc.

Method 2. How to block Safari on Mac during downtime on Screen Time

If your Mac is running macOS 10.15 Catalina or later, Screen Time is available to help you restrict Safari access. Screen Time is a set of tools included with Mac.

1. On your Mac, go to System Preferences and choose Screen Time .

2. Click Downtime on the left.

3. Click Turn On to turn it on.

4. Set up the downtime schedule(s) based on your needs.

5. Click Always Allowed on the left.

6. From the Always Allowed list, deselect the box next to the Safari app.

During downtime, the Safari app, which is blocked, will dim. If you or some else tries to use Safari, the Time Limit warning will show up. But the Ignore Limit option makes it easy to bypass the blocking.

Want to block Safari more effectively? You can select the box next to Block At Downtime in Step 4. This option is available only if you have set a Screen Time passcode. Note that enabling Block At Downtime will block your Mac during downtime.

Now you know how to block or lock Safari on Mac. This part shares some tips that may be helpful.

Tip 1. How to block websites on Safari on Mac

1. Download and install AppCrypt.

2. Set a password.

3. Click Open Main Window and enter the password.

4. In the main window, click Web Block .

5. Add the URL of a website (such as youtube.com) to block. Or, you can block a category of websites.

As you can see, AppCrypt can not only block Safari on a Mac but also restrict websites on Safari.

Tip 2. How to block ads on Safari Mac

1. On your Mac, open App Store.

2. Search for AdGuard for Safari . Install it.

3. Relaunch the Safari app.

Now the AdGuard icon should appear next to the Smart Search field. And it should start blocking Safari ads. The blocking applies to both the normal and private browsing modes.

Tip 3. How to block pop ups on safari on Mac

1. Open Safari on Mac. Go to Preferences .

2. Go to the Websites tab.

3. Select Pop-up Windows on the left.

4. From the When visiting other websites dropdown menu, choose Block and Notify or Block .

You can allow pop-up windows on certain websites if needed.

Tip 4. How to get rid of Safari on Mac

With Method 1, you can password protect Safari on Mac to block Safari use. Some people may also want to know how to delete Safari on Mac.

The fact is that there is no legitimate way to uninstall Safari for Mac. And it’s recommended not to delete any pre-installed apps. If you want to not use Safari on Mac, just stop using it or block access to it.

By blocking the Safari app, you can prevent other people from seeing your browsing history or changing your settings. Or, you can schedule blocking during certain hours to prevent yourself or your children from spending too much time browsing the web with Safari. This article mainly talks about how to block Safari on Mac. I hope it can help you stop access to Safari or set a time limit on it.

Rosa has worked in Mac software industry for more than eight years. She believes that the purpose of software is to make life better and work more productively. In addition to writing, Rosa is also an avid runner.

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4 Easy Ways to Block Any Website on Your Computer

Last Updated: March 21, 2024 Fact Checked

Using Windows

Using chromebook & google chrome, using firefox.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,505,401 times. Learn more...

Do you want to prevent your kids (or yourself) from visiting a certain website on your computer? While installing a browser extension on Chrome, Edge, or Safari might seem like the answer, it'll only work to block sites for that browser. If you really need to make sure nobody can access a website from any web browser, we have you covered! This wikiHow will show you how to completely block access to a website using your Chromebook, Mac, or Windows 10 or 11 computer.

Blocking Websites at a Glance=

On Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, download the Block Site extension. Enter a website, then create and set a password to block access to that site on your computer.

• This method will work on Windows 10 and Windows 11 .

• If your mouse doesn't have a right-click button , click the right side of the mouse, or use two fingers to click the mouse.
• If your computer uses a trackpad instead of a mouse, use two fingers to tap the trackpad or press the bottom-right side of the trackpad.

• Click This PC on the left side of the File Explorer window.
• Scroll down and double-click your hard drive's name (usually OS (C:) ) in the middle of the window.
• Double-click the "Windows" folder.
• Scroll down and double-click the "System32" folder.
• Scroll down and double-click the "drivers" folder.
• Double-click the "etc" folder.

• Right-click the "hosts" file.
• Click Properties in the drop-down menu.
• Click the Security tab.
• Click Edit .
• Check the "Full Control" box.
• Click OK , then click Yes when prompted.

• Type in 127.0.0.1 and press Tab ↹ .
• Type in a website's address without the "www" section (e.g., "facebook.com", " twitter.com ").
• Press ↵ Enter to start a new line, then repeat the above two steps with other addresses you want to block.

• To block Facebook , for example, you would type in 127.0.0.1 facebook.com www.facebook.com .
• Adding the "http://" or "https://" part of the address as well (e.g., 127.0.0.1 facebook.com https://www.facebook.com can improve the chances of the site being blocked.

• IP address — You can find a website's IP address and then block it in the "hosts" file to prevent people from accessing the website via its IP address.
• Mobile site — By placing "m." in front of a website's address (e.g., "m.facebook.com" instead of "facebook.com"), you can block the mobile version of the website as well.

• Click File in the top-left corner of Notepad.
• Click Save As... in the drop-down menu.
• Click the "Save as type" drop-down box, then click All Files in the drop-down menu.
• Click the "hosts" file in the main window to select it.
• Click Save , then click Yes when prompted.

• Press the Windows key and type "cmd".
• Right-click Command Prompt .
• Click Run as administrator .
• Click Yes to confirm.
• In the Command Prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns .
• Press Enter .

• If the websites still aren't blocked after restarting your browsers, try restarting your computer .

• Terminal won't show your password's letters as you type.

• Type in a website's address without the "www" section (e.g., "facebook.com").
• Press ⏎ Return to start a new line, then repeat the above two steps with other addresses you want to block.

• To block Facebook, for example, you would type in 127.0.0.1 facebook.com www.facebook.com .

• To exit the hosts file, press Control + X .

• If your computer's browsers don't block the site, restart your computer to finalize the changes.

• Block Site allows you to block individual pages or entire websites. It also allows you to set a password so that other computer users can't change your block list.

• You can also click the gear-shaped icon in the top-right corner of the drop-down menu if you want to open the Block Site page. [6] X Research source

• If you want to block a specific page on a website, go to that page, then copy the address by clicking the address bar at the top of the window and then pressing Ctrl + C (Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (Mac).

• You can remove your site from Block Site's blacklist at any time by clicking the red circle icon to the right of the website's URL in the list of blocked sites.

• You can also check the "Enable password access to blocked pages" box if you want your password to allow you to open blocked sites.

• When accessing Block Site in the future, you'll need to enter your password before you can add or remove sites.
• If you forget your password to Block Site, you can right-click the Block Site icon and click Remove from Chrome .

• Select More tools
• Click Extensions
• Click DETAILS below the "Block Site" heading.

• You may have to click Got it in the drop-down menu before proceeding.

• You can also click the gear-shaped icon in the top-right corner of the drop-down menu to open the Block Site page. [8] X Research source

• Check the "Enable password access to blocked pages" box if you want your password to allow you to open block sites.

• You'll need to enter your password before you can add or remove sites.
• If you forget your password to Block Site, you can remove it from Firefox by clicking ☰ , clicking Add-ons , and clicking Remove to the right of "Block Site" on the Extensions page.

Community Q&A

• If your computer has a separate account for a child, you can use parental controls to monitor and restrict their browsing. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• When editing the host file, it's better to put 0.0.0.0 instead of 127.0.0.1. That way, you don't have to deal with the localhost timeout, which can sometimes be a couple seconds. With 0.0.0.0, it will instantly tell you that a site can't load.

• Blocking websites with the "hosts" file is a good way to prevent any browsers from opening them, but people can still get around the block by using the mobile version of the website(s) in question. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/141019-block-websites-using-hosts-file-windows.html
• ↑ https://youtu.be/TLp5N-0hLis?t=272
• ↑ https://youtu.be/TLp5N-0hLis?t=299

About This Article

1. Run notepad as an administrator. 2. Go to File > Open . 3. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. 4. Remove security from the "hosts" file. 5. Open the "hosts" file. 6. Type "127.0.0.1" at the bottom and press Tab . 7. Type the address you want to block. 8. Save the file. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How do you block proxy sites on Safari?

I have setup Screen Time on MacBook to block adult content. But I have discovered that you can just Google "proxy sites" and tons of proxy sites will show up that allow you to bypass any Screen Time restriction within Safari and access blocked sites.

I have reached out to support to try and get this loophole fixed, but I haven't gotten any update and it didn't seem as though they were too interested in fixing this.

So is there any way to block access to all proxy sites?

I know you can add each URL individually in Screen Time but there are so many, it would be nearly impossible to block them all.

MacBook Pro 15″

Posted on Mar 26, 2024 1:31 PM

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Block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your iPhone or iPad

You can block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your device. You can also filter iMessages from unknown senders and report iMessages that look like spam or junk.

Block a phone number, contact, or email

There are a few ways that you can block phone numbers, contacts, and emails.

From the Mail app, open the email that has the contact that you want to block, then tap the contact at the top. Tap Block this Contact.

You can also add a phone number or email address directly to your Blocked Contacts list in the Settings app.

Add the number or email address that you want to block to your Contacts .

For phone numbers, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts > Add New. For email addresses, go to Settings > Mail > Blocked > Add New.

Select the contact that you want to block.

When you block a phone number or contact, they can still leave a voicemail, but you won't get a notification. Messages that are sent or received won't be delivered. Also, the contact won't get a notification that the call or message was blocked. When you block an email address from Mail, it goes to the trash folder. Email blocking works across all your Apple devices.

Enable your settings to block spam phone calls

Manage your blocked phone numbers, contacts, and emails

To see the phone numbers, contacts, and email addresses that you've blocked from Phone, FaceTime, Messages, or Mail:

Go to Settings > Phone and tap Blocked Contacts to see the list.

Go to Settings > FaceTime. Under Calls, tap Blocked Contacts.

Go to Settings > Messages. Under SMS/MMS, tap Blocked Contacts.

Go to Settings > Mail. Under Threading, tap Blocked.

Filter messages from unknown senders

You can filter messages from people who aren't saved in your Contacts.

To filter messages, go to Settings > Messages, scroll down and turn on Filter Unknown Senders.

Report spam or junk in the Messages app

You can report iMessages that look like spam or junk from the Messages app. If you get an iMessage from someone who's not saved in your Contacts, you'll see a Report Junk link under the message.

Tap Report Junk, then tap Delete and Report Junk. Messages will forward the sender's information and the message to Apple, as well as delete the message.

Reporting junk doesn't block the sender from being able to send another message. If you don't want to receive these messages, you need to block the contact.

To report SMS and MMS messages, contact your carrier .

Related topics

Explore Apple Support Community

Find what’s been asked and answered by Apple customers.

Contact Apple Support

Need more help? Save time by starting your support request online and we'll connect you to an expert.

How to block access to websites or adult content on iPhone

• Apple's iOS has parental control options to block websites on iPhones. Access the settings to limit access and ensure safety.
• Use the Screen Time section in Settings to enable content and privacy restrictions. Choose between limiting adult websites or allowed websites.
• For more control, choose the allowed websites option and manually add or remove websites.

Are your kids at the age where they want an iPhone to use themselves, and you are a little worried about what kind of horrors they may encounter online? We can't blame you, as a lot of lousy stuff is freely accessible online. From adult websites to violent content, the internet can be a messed-up place.

However, you can let your kids have an iPhone without worrying about them accessing anything they shouldn't. Apple's iOS has many parental control features ; you just need to know how to find them. We will show you exactly how to restrict the websites your kids can visit, giving you more peace of mind that they won't see something that could harm them.

How to set up an Amazon Kindle for children

How to block a website on the iphone.

Apple has all the parental control and features you need to keep your kids safe and secure while using their iPhones. These controls are tucked inside the Screen Time section of iOS, which is a little confusing because these options do more than limit how long someone can use an iPhone.

Limit adult websites or curate allowed websites

In the Settings app, you have a couple options for restricting access to websites.

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap Screen Time .
• Select Content & Privacy Restrictions .
• Enter the Screen Time passcode if prompted.
• Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions if it's not already enabled.
• Select Content Restrictions near the top of the screen.
• Tap Web Content.
• Tap the type of restriction you want: Unrestricted, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites.

If you choose Limit Adult Websites, iOS will automatically block most adult content, though it's still possible for some to bypass Apple's filters

If you choose Allowed Websites , you can get more granular and select exactly what websites are accessible on the device. This can take some time, but it's worthwhile if you want to limit your kids from accessing specific websites on an iPhone.

14 Safari tips and tricks you absolutely need to know

How to use allowed websites on iphone.

While it seems like a bit of work, if you don't want to rely on Apple to restrict your kids' web browsing, it's worth spending a few minutes selecting the websites you know your children can safely interact with instead of letting the company handle it. The other nice thing about doing it this way is you can let the list evolve as your children get older. You can narrow the list when they're ready to access slightly more adult websites.

If they are teenagers, and you feel they're ready for the whole internet, you can follow the directions above and only block adult websites. And when they're ready for the whole internet (is anyone really ever ready for the whole internet?), you can remove the restrictions and let them go free.

Add every allowed website

• Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions under this section.
• Tick the Content & Privacy Restrictions button if it's not already on.
• Tap Content Restrictions near the top of the screen.
• Tap Allowed Websites.
• Apple will offer a few websites on the list by default, such as Apple's website, Disney, HowStuffWorks, Time for Kids, and others. You can swipe any of these and tap Delete to remove them.
• Tap Add Website at the bottom of the list.
• Enter the website's Title (which is whatever you want it to be called) and URL.
• Repeat steps 10-12 for each website you want to allow.

And that's all there is to it.