Best Hacks on How to Block Websites on Safari and Stay Safe Online

Whether you’re trying to avoid distractions, protect your children from inappropriate content, or ensure a secure browsing environment, blocking websites on Safari is essential for maintaining control over your device. But Apple’s built-in features like Screen Time can sometimes limit the options, especially if you want more granular control over specific sites. In this guide, we will cover the most effective ways to block websites on Safari, from simple settings in Screen Time to advanced tools for more precise control.

Why Block Websites in Safari?

There are various reasons why you might want to block specific websites in Safari:

• Privacy & Security: Blocking unsafe websites can help protect you from malware, phishing, and other cyber threats.
• Focus & Productivity: Restricting social media or distracting websites helps you stay focused and productive, especially when working or studying.
• Child Protection: Protect children from inappropriate content by restricting access to specific websites on Safari.

Whether you are trying to reduce distractions or create a safer browsing experience, knowing how to block websites on your Apple devices is an important skill.

How to Block Websites on Safari Using Screen Time

Screen Time is Apple’s built-in feature that lets you track usage, set limits, and restrict access to websites across macOS and iOS devices. Here’s how to use it to block websites on Safari:

For Mac:

1. Click the Apple icon and select System Settings.
2. Navigate to Screen Time and click on Content & Privacy. Toggle it ON.
3. Select Web Content, then either choose Limit Adult Websites or Only Allowed Websites.
4. Under the Customize option, manually enter websites you want to block.

Once you set up Screen Time on your Mac, any website you restrict will be blocked, ensuring you stay safe from potentially harmful content.

For iPhone & iPad:

1. Open Settings > Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn them on.
3. Go to Web Content and select Limit Adult Websites or Only Allowed Websites.
4. Customize the sites to block as needed.

Sync Across Devices:

Once you enable Share Across Devices under Screen Time, the website restrictions will sync across all your Apple devices connected to your iCloud account. This makes it easy to maintain consistency and control over what’s accessible on your Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

How to Block Websites on Safari Without Screen Time

If Screen Time isn’t providing the flexibility you need, there are other tools and methods to block websites effectively.

1. Block Websites Using Terminal on macOS:

For a more permanent and comprehensive block across all browsers, you can modify the hosts file on your Mac using Terminal:

1. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
2. Type sudo nano /etc/hosts and press Return.
3. Scroll to the bottom and add 127.0.0.1 www.example.com for each website you want to block.
4. Save the file by pressing Control + O, then Enter.
5. Exit by pressing Control + X.

Now, try accessing the website from Safari—it will no longer load. Keep in mind, this method blocks websites in all browsers, not just Safari.

2. Use Focused Work App:

If editing Terminal feels too technical, apps like Focused Work provide a user-friendly interface to block websites and apps in Safari. Here’s how:

1. Install Focused Work on your Mac.
2. In the app’s settings, add the URLs of websites you want to block.
3. The app will block access to those websites during work sessions, allowing you to focus and avoid distractions.

How to Block Websites on Safari on iPhone and iPad

Apple also offers tools to block websites on your mobile devices via Screen Time. But if you’re looking for more control, Distraction Control in iOS 18 is a handy feature that can simplify browsing by removing unnecessary elements from websites.

Distraction Control for iOS 18:

1. Visit a website in Safari.
2. Tap the Page Menu icon near the address bar.
3. Select Hide Distracting Items to remove things like ads, pop-ups, or even entire sections of the page.

While this isn’t a traditional “block,” it helps reduce distractions on the web, making your browsing experience cleaner and more focused.

Using Third-Party Apps to Block Websites

Sometimes, Screen Time doesn’t meet all your needs. Fortunately, there are third-party apps that offer more flexibility and control:

AdLock: This app is perfect for blocking ads and pop-ups on Safari, preventing distractions while browsing.

Xnapper: If you’re dealing with sensitive content, Xnapper can automatically blur or redact personal information from screenshots, helping protect your privacy when capturing web content.

How to Block Websites on Safari Across All Your Devices

If you’re looking for a universal solution to block websites across all your Apple devices, you can also use your router settings or OpenDNS for more advanced control.

1. Block Websites via Your Router:
   • Access your router’s settings by entering its IP address in a browser.
   • Log in with your credentials and navigate to the Content Filtering or Website Blocking section.
   • Add websites to block for all devices connected to your network.
2. Use OpenDNS:
   • OpenDNS provides network-wide protection against malware and harmful websites.
   • You can block sites by signing into your OpenDNS account, selecting Settings, and adding websites to block under your configured network.

How to Unblock Websites on Safari

If you ever find yourself needing to access a blocked website, the process is simple:

For Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy.
2. Disable or adjust Web Content restrictions, or remove websites from the blocked list.

For iPhone/iPad:

1. Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Under Web Content, adjust the settings to Unrestricted Access or remove specific sites from the restricted list.

Final Thoughts: Block Websites on Safari to Stay Safe

Blocking websites on Safari is a valuable tool to stay focused, protect privacy, and ensure a secure browsing experience. Whether you use Screen Time, Focused Work, or OpenDNS, there are multiple ways to keep unwanted content out of sight. It’s all about choosing the right tool for your needs.

With these methods, you can keep your Apple devices safe and stay focused on what truly matters.

There are several ways to block websites on Safari, such as Screen Time, your broadband router, OpenDNS, and more. In addition, use the apps mentioned in this blog because you may find them very useful for blocking websites and staying safe online. 

For instance, the Focused Work app can easily block distracting apps, websites, or specific web pages. Or use OpenIn to create custom rules for link opening.

These apps are available with a single subscription to the Setapp platform, where you will find 250+ highly useful iOS and macOS apps. Give it a try and access all the apps with a 7-day free trial.