How to Block Apps on iPhone: The Definitive Guide

So, you want to block apps on your iPhone, eh? Excellent choice! Whether you’re safeguarding your little ones from inappropriate content, curbing your own social media addiction, or simply streamlining your digital life, controlling app access is a crucial skill. The good news is, Apple provides built-in tools to help you do just that. Here’s the lowdown on how to block apps on your iPhone, plain and simple: You primarily use Screen Time found in your Settings to restrict or completely block access to specific apps, or categories of apps. You can also use Content & Privacy Restrictions for more fine-grained control.

Using Screen Time to Block Apps

Screen Time is your Swiss Army knife for managing iPhone app usage. It allows you to monitor how much time you (or your kids) spend on different apps and websites, and crucially, it allows you to set limits. Let’s break down how to use it:

Setting Up Screen Time

First, you need to enable Screen Time:

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. Tap Turn On Screen Time.
4. Tap Continue.
5. Choose whether this is “My iPhone” or “This is My Child’s iPhone”. If it’s for a child, you’ll eventually be prompted to set up a Screen Time passcode to prevent them from changing the settings.

Blocking Apps with App Limits

This is the primary method for actively limiting app usage:

1. With Screen Time enabled, go to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Tap App Limits.
3. Tap Add Limit.
4. Select the categories of apps you want to limit (e.g., Social Networking, Games, Entertainment), or tap the arrow next to the category to select specific apps within that category.
5. Tap Next.
6. Set the time limit you want to allow for these apps each day. You can customize this for each day of the week.
7. Tap Add.

When the time limit is reached, the app icon will dim, and a notification will appear when the app is launched, informing you (or your child) that the time limit has been reached. You can choose to ignore the limit (if you have the Screen Time passcode), but it serves as a strong deterrent.

Blocking Apps with Content & Privacy Restrictions

This feature goes beyond simple time limits and allows you to completely prevent access to specific apps or types of content.

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. Toggle the Content & Privacy Restrictions switch to On.
4. Tap Allowed Apps.
5. Here you’ll see a list of native Apple apps (Safari, Camera, Mail, etc.). You can toggle these Off to completely disable them. Disabling Safari, for example, prevents access to web browsing. Note: you cannot disable system apps essential for basic iPhone functionality.

The “Always Allowed” Section

Within Screen Time, there’s also an “Always Allowed” section. This section lets you designate apps that are always accessible, even when other apps are limited. This is useful for essential communication apps like Phone or Messages, which you might want to ensure are always available.

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Tap Always Allowed.
3. Here you can add or remove apps from the “Allowed Apps” list, regardless of any app limits you’ve set.

Important Considerations

• Screen Time Passcode: If you’re setting this up for a child, make sure to create a Screen Time passcode that they don’t know. This prevents them from bypassing the restrictions you’ve put in place. If you forget the passcode, you may have to restore your iPhone to factory settings to reset it, so store it somewhere safe.
• iCloud Syncing: Screen Time settings sync across all devices signed in with the same Apple ID. This means that limits you set on your iPhone will also apply to your iPad and other devices. Be mindful of this if you want different restrictions on different devices.
• Third-Party Apps: While Apple’s built-in tools are powerful, some third-party apps offer even more granular control and monitoring features. However, be cautious about the privacy implications of granting these apps access to your device usage data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I block in-app purchases on iPhone?

Yes, you can block in-app purchases through Content & Privacy Restrictions. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases. Here, you can set “In-App Purchases” to “Don’t Allow.” This prevents anyone from making purchases within apps without your explicit permission.

2. How do I block a specific website on Safari on iPhone?

You can block specific websites by using the Content & Privacy Restrictions. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content. Here, you can choose “Limited Websites” and then add specific websites to the “Never Allowed” list.

3. Can I block newly downloaded apps?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct setting to automatically block all newly downloaded apps. However, you can use Screen Time’s App Limits to quickly limit the usage of all newly downloaded apps as soon as they are installed, requiring you to manually approve their usage. You can also review downloaded apps regularly and adjust limits as needed.

4. How do I block age-inappropriate content on the App Store?

Use Content Restrictions within Content & Privacy Restrictions. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Apps. You can then choose the appropriate age rating for apps that can be downloaded from the App Store.

5. What happens when an app limit is reached?

When an app limit is reached, the app icon will dim, and a notification will pop up when the user tries to open the app. The notification will state that the time limit has been reached and offer the option to ask for more time (if parental controls are enabled) or ignore the limit (if the Screen Time passcode is known).

6. How can I monitor my child’s app usage without physically checking their phone?

If you have Family Sharing set up, you can monitor your child’s app usage remotely. Go to Settings > Screen Time, then select your child’s name under “Family”. You can view their app usage reports and adjust their Screen Time settings from your own device.

7. Can I block app downloads altogether?

Yes, you can block app downloads completely by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases. Then, set “Installing Apps” to “Don’t Allow”.

8. I forgot my Screen Time passcode. What do I do?

If you forget your Screen Time passcode, there are two options. If you previously set up a Screen Time passcode recovery email, you can reset it using that email. If not, you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up as new to remove the passcode. This will result in data loss if you don’t have a recent backup. Be sure to choose the “Forgot Passcode?” option on the Screen Time settings page to be guided to set up an email for recovery to avoid having to erase your phone in the future.

9. Can I block apps only during certain hours of the day?

Yes, you can customize the app limits for each day of the week. So while you can’t set specific hours within a day for blocking, you can effectively block apps during certain hours by setting a very short time limit (e.g., 1 minute) for those hours on specific days.

10. Will blocking an app delete it from my phone?

No, blocking an app using Screen Time or Content & Privacy Restrictions does not delete the app. It simply prevents access to the app or limits its usage. To completely remove the app, you need to uninstall it.

11. Can I block specific features within an app?

While you can’t directly block specific features within an app using Apple’s built-in tools, some apps may have their own settings that allow you to disable certain features. You can also explore third-party parental control apps that may offer more granular control over in-app features, but always prioritize your privacy.

12. How do I temporarily allow an app after the limit has been reached?

If you are managing Screen Time for yourself and have reached an app limit, you can simply tap “Ignore Limit” and choose to ignore it for 15 minutes, for the rest of the day, or change the limit. If you are managing a child’s device, they will need to request more time, which you can approve (or deny) from your own device if you have Family Sharing set up.