How to Block Instagram on Computer: Windows, Mac, and More

Instagram is a great platform to share your life, connect with people, and explore things you like. However, it can be a source of distractions when you are working or studying. Also, Instagram can be so addictive that you may spend hours on it per day.

In this article, I will show you how to easily block Instagram on computer based on your needs, covering Windows, Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS.

 Cisdem AppCrypt

Instagram Blocker with a Password

• Block websites on Chrome, Safari, and other browsers with a password
• Block specific sites or only pages, URLs with certain words, and categories (e.g. Social, Adult)
• Block all websites except allowed ones
• Lock apps with a password
• Allow you to block websites and lock apps 24/7 or during scheduled times
• Easy to use
• Hard to bypass
• Help restrict Instagram access for yourself or your kids
• Help with productivity, parental control, digital wellness, and more

Free Download Windows 10 or later Free Download macOS 10.12 or later GET IT ON Google Play Download on the App Store

Method 1. Use AppCrypt to block Instagram on computer with a password

There can be two ways to use Instagram on a computer: visiting instagram.com in a browser, or using the Instagram app installed from the Microsoft Store. (Since this app is a web app, using it is almost the same as visiting the website.) Therefore, what you need to do is block the website.

You can easily block Instagram using Cisdem AppCrypt, a website blocker and app locker in one. Due to password protection, it's hard to bypass the blocking. Also, there's a scheduling feature to provide flexibility.

Here's how to set up this Instagram blocker.

1. Download and install AppCrypt on your Windows or Mac computer.

Free Download Windows 10 or later  Free Download macOS 10.12 or later

2. Set a password.

3. On a Windows PC, click the tool's icon on the taskbar. On a Mac, click the tool's icon in the menu bar and choose Open Main Window.

4. Type the password and click OK. Now you are in the tool's main window.

5. In the Web Block tab of the main window, enter instagram.com in the URL field and click Add.

Now, Instagram becomes inaccessible on all browsers supported by AppCrypt, including Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, and more, including normal browsing and incognito/private browsing. In addition, the Instagram app on Windows PC stops loading content.

Also, there are two tips that may be helpful.

• Block Instagram during certain hours: By default, this platform will be blocked permanently. If you want to restrict it only during certain times (like work hours), follow this tip. Select Instagram in the Web Block tab, click the small clock icon that appears, turn on Custom Schedule, and then set schedules based on your needs.
• Restrict certain pages on Instagram: Instead of blocking the entire platform, you can block certain pages (e.g. the Reels page) on it if needed. To do this, add https://www.instagram.com/reels/ instead of instagram.com in step 5.

Method 2. How to block Instagram on PC with UnDistracted extension

UnDistracted is an extension specially designed to limit time spent on social media sites, including Instagram.

For some users, it’s not necessary to completely block Instagram on PC. Undistracted offers flexible options. With it, you can either block the entire site or selectively hide distracting elements on Instagram, such as the Feed, Stories, Explore, and more.

This simple extension is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers. And this method can apply to Windows, Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS.

Below I’ll show you how to block Instagram on PC on Chrome using the UnDistracted extension.

1. Open the Chrome browser. Go to the Chrome Web Store.

2. Type UnDistracted in the search bar. Select it. Click Add to Chrome. Click Add extension.

3. After installation, click the extension icon in the upper right corner of the browser. Select UnDistracted to enter its settings interface.

4. Select Instagram. Click Allow Instagram access and Allow scripting access to grant the required permissions.

5. Enable Block Instagram to block the entire site.

You can also choose to hide or block specific elements as needed, such as Hide Feed, Hide Stories, and Block Reels.

Method 3. How to block Instagram on computers by editing the hosts file

The hosts file is a system file of operating systems. It can be opened by an text editor like Notepad or a common-line tool like Terminal. Its function is to establish an associated database between some commonly used URL domain names and their IP addresses. When the user enters a URL, the system will automatically find the corresponding IP address from the Hosts file. Once found, the system will immediately open the corresponding web page. Otherwise it will not be accessible.

This method is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS, but you may find it's not actionable on ChromeOS. Also, if you are not comfortable with modifying a system file, then ignore this method.

I will only provide instructions for Windows computer in this article.

In Windows system, 127.0.0.1 is the IP address of the local machine. It’s also called localhost. We usually use it in the hosts file to block some unwanted websites. To block Instagram on computer:

1. Click the Start menu. Search for Notepad. Right-click it and select Run as administrator.

2. Click File > Open.

3. Navigate to the following path: This PC > Windows > System32 > drivers > etc.

4. Select hosts in the etc folder. Open it. If you don’t see the hosts file, change the file type from Text Documents to All Files in the bottom-right corner.

5. Add 127.0.0.1 instagram.com and 127.0.0.1 www.instagram.com at the bottom of the text.

6. Press Ctrl + S to save the changes. Close Notepad.

7. Restart your computer. Now try opening Instagram in any browser on this computer, you’ll see that it is blocked.

Hosts file not working? Try these fixes!

Method 4. How to block Instagram on Mac computer with Screen Time

Mac computers also have built-in features to block Instagram website. Screen Time is a set of useful features on Apple devices. You can use it to monitor your screen time, app usage time, set time limit on specific apps, and limit certain websites on Safari, etc. If you want to block Instagram on Mac computer and Safari is your frequently used browser, you can set Screen Time up and add Instagram to the block list by following these steps:

1. Open your Mac. Open the the Apple menu. Click System Settings (or System Preferences if you're using macOS Monterey or earlier).

2. Click Screen Time on the left side. In this window, you can create a Screen Time passcode to prevent others from changing your settings.

3. Click Content & Privacy under Restrictions.

4. Select Limit Adult Websites. Then click on the Customize button that appears.

5. To block access to Instagram on computer, just add instagram.com to the Restricted list.

6. Click Done.

Now Instagram website is blocked on Safari on Mac.

Bonus tips

How to block Instagram on all devices at home

If you want to block Instagram on all your devices at home, the easiest way is to use router’s built-in web filtering. You can find this feature and set it up in your router’s settings. But first you need to make sure that your devices are always connected to the Wi-Fi network. Otherwise the blocking won’t take effect.

How to block Instagram on children's computer

Cisdem AppCrypt is the best parental controls tool to block Instagram and other inappropriate sites/apps on children’s computer. It provides password protection feature, which enable you to lock AppCrypt itself with password to prevent your children from quitting or installing it, or changing your blocking settings. If you share the same computer with your children and don’t want Instagram to be blocked during your own usage, you can simply enter the password to quit AppCrypt temporarily or disable the Web Block feature.

Conclusion

Instagram can be addictive. Blocking Instagram on computer while working can greatly improve productivity. It also helps protect your privacy when lending computer to others. Above are all about how to block Instagram on computer. Overall, the first method is the easiest and most efficient. I hope this article is helpful for you.