WhatsApp is the most widely used instant messaging and video calling app in the world today. It also has a web version. Many users prefer to log into WhatsApp web on their computers while working on the desktop, but this can lead to distraction. In this article, you’ll learn how to block WhatsApp web on computers and mobiles effectively.
There are a lot of reasons to block WhatsApp web:
For parents that wish to prevent their child from communicating with strangers online or limit their screen time, it’s necessary to block WhatsApp as well as its web version on child’s devices.
For employers, restricting access to WhatsApp web on employees’ PCs can improve their productivity. They won’t be constantly distracted by notifications popping up from WhatsApp Web.
You can also block WhatsApp web with password on your own devices for privacy protection.
WhatsApp web is the browser-based version of WhatsApp app, which is accessible through any web browsers, requiring no installation. If you find WhatsApp web distracting, or are worried about privacy leaks, you can block it with password on your browsers with Cisdem AppCrypt-a professional website blocker and app locker tool that enables you to block specific websites/webpages on all popular web browsers on computer.
It’s super easy to block access to WhatsApp web using Cisdem AppCrypt. You can follow these steps:
1. Download and install this WhatsApp web blocker.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
2. Launch it. Set the password. Click Submit.
3. Click the lock icon on the Windows taskbar/Mac menu bar. Choose Open Main Window.
4. Enter the password to access this tool.
5. Go to the Web Block tab.
To block websites on Windows PC, Cisdem AppCrypt requires extensions to be installed on the browsers. Click Install next to the browser that you wish to block access to WhatsApp web.
Mac users can skip this step.
6. After the extensions are installed, add web.whatsapp.com to the block list.
Now WhatsApp web is blocked.
Note: To unblock WhatsApp web, access Cisdem AppCrypt main window with password, and then remove the site from the block list. Or Click the lock icon on the taskbar/menu bar. Select Disable Web Block or Quit. Then enter the password.
Even if there's nothing urgent, you probably check your phone or computer for WhatsApp notifications frequently. For productivity, you can also block WhatsApp web on PC while you want to stay focused. Click web.whatsapp.com in the block list. Then you’ll see a clock icon appears. Click the clock icon and enable Custom Schedule. Set the time you wish to block access to this web.
Here is a technical method to block WhatsApp web on computer-using hosts file. Hosts file are text files in operating systems to map domain names to IP addresses, which can be edited by Notepad or other text editors on computer as administrator. To block WhatsApp on PC, you can use hosts file to redirect the site’s domain to an invalid IP address like 127.0.01.
1. Open Notepad on your PC. Run it as administrator.
2. Click File > Open.
3. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. You can also click the address bar at the top and paste the path, then press Enter.
4. If you don’t see any thing, click Text Document on the bottom right corner. Select All files from the drop-down list.
5. Double-click to open the hosts file.
6. Scroll down to the end of the file. Create a new line. Enter the following text:
127.0.0.1 web.whatsapp.com
7. Click File > Save.
Restart your computer. Then the WhatsApp web will be inaccessible on any web browser.
The downsides of this method are that it is a bit cumbersome, and anyone can change the settings without a password.
Some parents blocked WhatsApp app on their children’s phones for security. However, children can still use the web version of WhatsApp on their phones. This method allows you to block access to WhatsApp web on your children’s iPhone or Android devices easily.
1. Download and install Kaspersky Safe Kids on your own mobile device.
2. Launch it. Follow the guide to create a My Kaspersky account. Choose Parent’s smartphone.
3. Download and install Kaspersky Safe Kids on your child’s phone. Sign in with your My Kaspersky account. Select This is my child’s device. This will link your device to your child’s device. Click Start protection.
4. Open this tool on your phone. Click Settings at the bottom.
5. Select the website categories that you want to block on your child’s phone.
5. To block WhatsApp web, go to the Exclusion section. Tap Websites. Then click the plus icon. Type web.whatsapp.com into the web address field.
6. Click on the green tick button.
Remember to log out WhatsApp web when you no longer use it. Then you will no longer receive WhatsApp notifications from browsers, thus preventing others from invading your privacy.
1. Open WhatsApp web on your browser.
2. Click the 3-dot icon above your chat list.
3. Click Settings > Log Out.
If you've moved away from the device on which you were signed in to WhatsApp web, you can use the WhatsApp app on your iPhone or Android device to unlink this device.
1. Launch WhatsApp app on your phone.
2. Click Settings > Linked Devices.
3. Then you’ll see a list of all devices that are linked to your account. Find and click on the device that you want to unlink.
4. Click Log Out.
Blocking WhatsApp app on children or employees’ devices helps them to focus more while learning or working. However, they can still access WhatsApp by visiting web.whatsapp.com on any web browsers. This article introduced 3 ways on how to block WhatsApp web on PC, Mac, and phone. Hope it helps.
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.