How to Block Websites on iPad Using Screen Time

To block a website on an iPad, turn on a Screen Time passcode, then go to `Settings` > `Screen Time` > `Content & Privacy Restrictions` > `App Store, Media, Web, & Games` > `Web Content` > `Limit Adult Websites` and add the site under `Never Allow`. To restrict browsing more tightly, choose `Allowed Websites Only` and enter the sites the user may visit. The built-in controls work best when the Screen Time passcode stays private and app installation is restricted.

Before you block anything, lock Screen Time first

Prepare these items before changing the web settings:

• An iPad running a reasonably current version of iPadOS. Apple may change the wording or location of a setting slightly between versions.
• The exact website address you want to restrict, including alternate domains if the service uses more than one.
• A Screen Time passcode that the person being restricted does not know.

1. Open Settings and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Lock Screen Time Settings or Use Screen Time Passcode, depending on what appears on your iPad.
3. Create a four-digit Screen Time passcode, then enter it again to confirm.
4. If prompted, enter an Apple Account that can help recover the passcode. Keep the recovery details private if the restriction is for a child.

The Screen Time passcode is separate from the iPad’s device passcode. Use a code the restricted person cannot guess, and do not let them watch while you enter it. Anyone who knows the Screen Time passcode can usually change or remove the web restriction.

How to block a specific website on your iPad

Use Never Allow to block one or more named websites while leaving most of the web available.

1. Open Settings and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions if it is off.
3. Tap App Store, Media, Web, & Games.
4. Tap Web Content.
5. Choose Limit Adult Websites.
6. Under Never Allow, tap Add Website.
7. Enter the website address, such as youtube.com or the domain of a social media service, then tap Done.
8. Add each additional domain that should be blocked.

Enter the site’s main domain rather than only a long page address. If the service also works through another domain, mirror, or redirected address, add that address separately. Blocking one social media address does not automatically block every related domain.

This rule normally prevents Safari from opening the address and displays a Screen Time restriction message instead. It does not guarantee that the same content will be blocked inside every app, browser, VPN, or alternate domain; check those separately before relying on the restriction.

If the site is already open, close its tab and open the address again after saving the restriction. This tests the new rule instead of displaying a page that loaded before the rule was added.

How to block adult sites or allow only approved websites

Choose Limit Adult Websites when you want Apple to filter known adult websites while keeping general browsing available. You can also use Never Allow in this mode to block specific sites. Apple’s filter is not a guarantee that every unsuitable site will be identified or blocked.

Choose Allowed Websites Only when the iPad should reach only sites you approve. This is the stronger option for a young child or a device used for a narrow purpose.

1. Open Settings and go to Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and make sure it is turned on.
3. Tap App Store, Media, Web, & Games, then tap Web Content.
4. Select Allowed Websites Only.
5. Review the sites already listed and remove any that should not be available.
6. Tap Add Website to enter each approved site, its name, and its address.
7. Test every approved site that the user needs, including school, library, login, or payment pages.

An approved site may rely on a separate sign-in, payment, image, video, or content-delivery domain. If the site stops working, identify the additional address it needs and add it to the allowed list. This mode requires maintenance as websites change.

For a less restrictive setup, return to Web Content and select Limit Adult Websites. You can then add specific sites under Never Allow and, if needed, add trusted exceptions under Always Allow.

Check that the website is really blocked—and close the easy workarounds

Test the restriction from the iPad being supervised. Do not assume that a rule covering Safari also covers every app or browser.

1. Open Safari and enter the blocked site’s address.
2. Confirm that Safari displays a Screen Time restriction message instead of the website.
3. Try the site’s main alternate address, if you know one, and add it to Never Allow if it still opens.
4. Check every other browser already installed on the iPad. Screen Time’s web-content rule is not a complete network filter, and behavior can vary by browser and app.
5. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, and verify that Content & Privacy Restrictions and the selected Web Content rule are still enabled.

A web restriction does not automatically block content inside every app. A video, social media, or messaging app may display material through its own built-in browser or service. Review those apps separately and remove any that are not needed.

A user can also bypass a website rule by installing another browser, using a VPN app, switching to an alternate domain, or using another device or network. To reduce the easiest bypass, restrict app installation:

1. Open Settings and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases or App Installations & Purchases.
4. Set Installing Apps to Don't Allow.

Keep the Screen Time passcode private. If the user can change that passcode, install apps, use a VPN, open another browser, or use another unrestricted device, the iPad’s built-in website controls cannot provide complete supervision.

Conclusion

Set the Screen Time passcode first, then use `Never Allow` for individual domains or `Allowed Websites Only` for a tightly controlled iPad. Test the block in Safari, check alternate domains and installed apps or browsers, and prevent new apps from being installed. The built-in controls do not provide complete protection across apps, VPNs, other devices, or networks; stronger coverage requires controls beyond Screen Time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a website without blocking Safari?

Yes. Add the site under `Screen Time` > `Content & Privacy Restrictions` > `App Store, Media, Web, & Games` > `Web Content` > `Limit Adult Websites` > `Never Allow`. Safari remains available for other sites, although the same content could still be available through another domain, app, browser, or VPN.

Can I block all adult websites on an iPad?

Choose `Limit Adult Websites` to use Apple’s built-in filtering. It is not a guarantee that every unsuitable site will be identified or blocked, so also review apps, browsers, VPNs, alternate domains, and other devices.

Why can a blocked website still open?

Check whether the user is using another domain, an installed browser or app, a VPN, or a device outside the Screen Time restriction. Add alternate domains to `Never Allow`, keep the Screen Time passcode private, and set `Installing Apps` to `Don't Allow` to prevent another browser or VPN app from being installed.