How can I block websites on my Android phone?
With easy access to Internet and omnipresence of Android devices, more and more people are asking these similar questions. While, blocking websites can keep us, especially our kids away from malicious contents, also help us concentrate on our work or study. So, in this article, you will be finding the 6 ways on how to block websites on Android phone or tablets, with or without App.
How do I block websites on Android Chrome without installing any app?
In fact, most of Android users choose to block websites with a 3rd party tool in the end, for being simple and efficient. But if you are still looking for ways to block a website on Android phone or tablet without installing any App, you will need to tweaking the setting of your web browsers manually or add some extensions to your web browser.
There are many web browsers available, but here we just pick the top 4 web browsers among Android phone or tablet users: Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge to show how to block websites without app. For Samsung users, we also add the steps to block websites on Samsung Internet on Android.
Can you block specific websites on Chrome for Android without using third-party apps? Unfortunately, the answer is no. But it does allow users to block notifications and pop-ups from all or selected websites. Below is how.
Change the Permissions by taping a setting, you can block media, pop-ups or others.
The internal settings of Google chrome don’t allow users to block websites on Android directly, but only block contents (like video and sound) and make its webpages incomplete, to make users quit the website for the reason of bad experience.
The good news is there’s a workaround.
Another way to block websites in Google Chrome on Android permanently is using an extension tool. But as we all know, the Google Chrome extension are designed for desktop only, if you want to add chrome extension to Android device, you will need to download and install an extra web browser (recommend Yandex Browser), then go to Chrome Web Store, search “Block Site” and add the chrome extension to Yandex browser. The inconvenience is, you will have to visit websites and block them in Yandex.
On a site note, UC Browser, a web browser popular in Asia, is in a similar case. It lets users easily block things like ads and notifications. But there aren’t built-in feature or extensions provided to block websites on Android.
There is a super easy and free way to block websites in Firefox on Android, using the free add-ons, since Firefox allows users to add plugins to its browser.
Though Opera allows users to block Ads within the application, it doesn’t support to block websites on Android, you will need to utilize the extension we mentioned as above.
Microsoft Edge, previously known as Internet Explorer, is quite popular among parents, which allows parents to add child account and control which websites their kids can access to. The steps to block websites on Android are not that easy, but once you have set up a child account, your kids will be kept away from distractive or harmful websites when using Android phone.
Step 1. Get your kids or others a child account on Microsoft Edge. (You can do this step using a large screen PC or Mac)
Step 2. Block websites in your Edge account. (You can do this step using a large screen PC or Mac)
Step 3. Install and set up Microsoft Edge on Android phone or table
For Samsung users who prefer to utilize its integrated web browser, they should update to version 7.2 or later, since this version comes with a protected browsing mode to detect deceptive sites.
But if you find this helps nothing, you can try following to block websites on Samsung Internet.
Now that most of users access to websites via web browser on their Android phone, is there any web browser that provides a clean and safe online environment. Yes, you can use SPIN Safe Browser.
SPIN is a web browser built in an Internet filter to block porn, inappropriate contents automatically. You don't need to sign up, login in, or configure, once you make it as your defaulted web browser, it will work.
In fact, the easiest way to block websites on your phone is using a professional web blocker app, which helps to block all kinds of websites on all types of web browser, be it Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Opera, even Samsung Internet. Here we recommend a highly-ranked web blocker apps for you, which is BlockSite.
Just as its name suggests, BlockSite is designed to block unwanted websites on Android devices. It ranks as No.1 on Google Play in the niche of web blocker, and has received tons of positive reviews. It does a good job of blocking any URL users wish. In addition, it comes with a built-in porn blocker and a scheduled blocking feature. It’s all up to you with regard to what and when to block. It also plays the role of an app locker. You can use this app to stay focused and become more productive. The ease of use and simple user interface makes it stand out among its kind.
This method is about how to restrict websites on Android by using parental control app. If your child is still getting into unwanted websites and software, I believe Kaspersky Parental Control is your best choice. This program works with the standard browser Android and holds your children back from other browsers that haven’t been filtered. To flexibly block access to inappropriate websites, you can follow the steps below to block certain websites on Android.
Antivirus application is another tool recommended to block unwanted websites on your Android phone or tablet. And here are 2 options on the anti-virus app.
This is a reputable security agency whose key responsibility is distributing and developing multiple security applications. This is also a real market bellwether and a trustworthy app for block websites on your Android.
Key Features
Step 1. Firstly, launch Trend Micro on your device.
Step 2. Press Safe Surfing in the main menu and switch the slide button next to Parental Controls for creating a new account.
Step 3. Input the password for your newly created account. Click “OK”.
Step 4. Tap on Blocked List, then type or paste the address of the website and tap Save option.
Another option for anti-virus app is Virus Cleaner from Hi Security, it is one of the most popular Android application on Google Play to guarantee the security of your Android device.
Key Features
The steps to block websites on Android device with Virus Cleaner is super easy, just follow the instructions once you have installed the app.
Or, if you are familiar with host files, you can do the blocking programmatically. Just edit the host files on your Android device to block specific websites. Host file is a plain-text file in an operating system to map hostnames to its IP address. There are 2 ways to do this, either on a Windows PC or using an Android app on your phone or tablet.
Note: If you choose to block websites on Android without root, then you can ignore this method.
It is not difficult for us to block certain websites on iPhone and iPad. Following method is compatiable with all models. It's recommended to update your devices to the latest operating systems.
Step 1. Go to Settings app on your iphone or iPad.
Step 2. Tap on General > Restrictions.
Step 3. Click Enable Restriction and set a new passcode.
Step 4. Scroll down to find and tap on Websites option.
Step 5. In this step, you can choose Limit Adult Content. Or click Specific Websites Only to add websites to block on your device.
That's the full guide to block websites on Android phone or tablet. Of course, you are always recommended to use a professional tool, no matter it is a web blocker or an anti-virus application. Do you have any recommendations? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts and opinions.
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.
Sabrina
Kaspersky Parental Control is Superb, I can block both apps and websites on Android phone now. Very magical!
Maizer
I loved your post!!! Exactly what I wanted. Your recommendations will be useful to get rid of the addiction from online games and Facebook.
Hazel
I prefer using ES File Explorer. It seems easier to operate. When I went to its downloaded page, many positive reviews there. I believe it's a reliable program. thanks.