This article shows you how to block websites on Google Chrome on a Mac in 2 ways. I’ve tried using Screen Time (which is included in macOS 10.15 Catalina or later and allows users to block access to websites) several times, but it only works with Safari. The methods talked about in this article are third-party ones. Step-by-step instructions are provided.
Cisdem AppCrypt
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
Cisdem AppCrypt is an easy-to-use and effective website blocker app for Mac. It works with Google Chrome, Safari, Opera and a few other popular web browsers.
Compared to using a Chrome extension, one of the biggest advantages of this method is the high effectiveness. An extension can be easily removed from Chrome by anyone. With AppCrypt, the blocking is password protected.
Let’s see how to use this method.
1. Download and install AppCrypt.
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
2. When you open it for the first time, set a password. (It’s recommended to select the Launch at System Startup checkbox.)
3. Click the lock icon in the menu bar to choose Open Main Window.
4. Enter the password to access the main window.
5. Under the Web Block tab, enter an unwanted website in the URL field and click Add. Add other websites if needed.
In step 5, in addition to adding specific sites (or pages), you can click the Import dropdown menu to choose a certain category of sites (like Social Sites). This way, you can add all popular websites of this category to block with a single click, which is efficient. In addition, you can add a specific word to block all URLs that contain this word.
Now the websites will always be blocked on Chrome and other supported browsers as long as AppCrypt is running. Note that the blocking applies to both the normal browsing mode and the incognito or private browsing mode. This way, people who you block websites from, for example, your children, can’t access these websites.
To unblock a website, you can do any of the following things.
Tip 1: If you need to block websites from yourself, you can ask a trusted person (such as a family member) to set the password in step 2.
Tip 2: You can block a website only at certain times (like work hours) if needed. To do so, click the site and then click the clock icon that appears, turn on Custom Schedule, and then add one or multiple schedules. Also, you can add a general schedule (which applies to all blocked sites and locked apps) by clicking Schedule next to Preferences.
Tip 3: If you want to block all sites except specific ones, just turn on Block all websites, click Exceptions, and then add websites under the Always Allow tab. This way, you can block all distracting or inappropriate websites.
There are quite a few Chrome extensions that can help users block access to web content. Some of them are very basic, and some of them offer advanced features such as Schedule and Password Protection. An extension named Block Site Ex is the latter.
1. Go to the Chrome Web Store to add Block Site Ex to your Chrome.
2. Click the Extensions icon 
in the toolbar of your Chrome and pin Block Site Ex.
3. To block a website, do any of the following things.
If you want, in the settings, you can go to the Access code section to set a 4-digit passcode. This way, you can instantly unblock a website with the passcode instead of having to go to the settings to remove it from the Blocked sites list. The passcode also prevents access to the settings. However, the passcode is not that useful. Any people who have access to this Chrome browser can unblock sites by simply removing Block Site Ex.
In the settings, you can also find a Schedule section. There, you can set a schedule to only block websites during certain hours.
Above are two common ways to block websites on Chrome on Mac computers. The first method is recommended, and the second method can also be a choice. It’s recommended to block inappropriate websites permanently. As for distracting websites, you only need to make them inaccessible when you want to get things done or reduce screen time.
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.
