Create a safer internet for your children in iPhone and iPad.
If you have children with iPhones or iPads, or who frequently use yours, and you want to control the type of content they can access when browsing the web in Safari, you're in luck - Apple lets you do just that. Whether you want to automatically limit all adult content to prevent a child from accidentally hitting a link they shouldn't, blacklist specific websites, or shut off all sites except for the ones you specifically whitelist, you'll find everything you need right in Settings and Restrictions. Here's how to manage the parental controls (restrictions) for web content.
- How to blacklist specific content or sites in Safari for iPhone and iPad
- How to block everything and whitelist only specific sites in Safari for iPhone and iPad
How to blacklist specific content or sites in Safari for iPhone and iPad
If you're not overly worried and just want to try to prevent your kids from hitting links that take them to adult material, or there are only a few sites you want to make sure they never land on, you can use the automatic settings and the blacklist feature.
- Launch the Settings app from the Home screen.
- Tap General.
Tap Restrictions.
- Tap Enable Restrictions. If already enabled, skip to step 6.
- Type a 4-digit password that your children won't be able to guess.
Type your password again to confirm it.
- Tap on Websites under Allowed Content .
Tap on Limit Adult Content.
- Tap Add a Website under NEVER ALLOW.
- Type the URL of the website you wish to block in the Website field.
Tap Done.
Repeat this process for each site you'd like to block access to. Keep in mind that if certain websites have mobile sites, you may need to block them separately. For instance, to block CrackBerry completely, you would need to block www.crackberry.com, m.crackberry.com, and t.crackberry.com since they have specified sites for tablets, smartphones, and full blown browsers.
If you find a site not blocking after you included it in your restricted websites list, visit that site and look in the Address Bar of Safari to make sure you're blocking the correct URL. Copy it if you need to and paste it into restrictions.
How to block everything and whitelist only specific sites in Safari for iPhone and iPad
For very young children, or if you simply want to make sure nothing is accessible except what you specifically allow, you can disable everything and then only turn back on the sites you consider absolutely permissible. (Like Apple or Disney).
- Launch the Settings app from the Home screen.
- Tap General.
Tap Restrictions.
- Tap Enable Restrictions. If already enabled, skip to step 6.
- Type a 4-digit password that your children won't be able to guess.
Type your password again to confirm it.
- Tap on Websites under Allowed Content .
Tap on All Websites.
- Tap Add a Website under ALWAYS ALLOW.
- Type the URL of the website you wish to allow in the Website field.
Tap Done.
As with the blacklist, you might need to add variations, such as mobile versions, if a site has iPhone or iPad-specific URLs.
Originally published June 2014. Updated October 2016 to reflect changes in iOS 10.
Reader comments
How to block websites in Safari on iPhone and iPad
I think it's super funny (lightheartedly so) that you used crackberry.com as the chosen site to restrict for the tutorial!
Great fun, I agree!
No regex or at least wildcard support? Parents can't be expected to remember to put "m." and double each entry, can they?
My mom is thinking about getting an iPod for my sister & was wondering about this. I'm definitely sending this to her.
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Very useful thanks! I followed the steps and its blocking the bad sites but unfortunately its also blocking my daughters school website, her email, etc. Perhaps I've done something wrong?
I used the Limit Adult Content option and it blocked Imore.com :)
Can you make a list all of your favorite adult websites so that I have a template on what I need to block? :-D
Not sufficient information!
Can't we block whole **** site s in safari.
One by one, it's not practical.
I'm waiting for u'll kind support.
Unfortunately you can't block the ability to turn on/off WiFi Hotspot. All my kid has to do is connect any device through the phone and he's got open access to everything. Even if the phone blocks everything. My carrier doesn't offer the option to disable it through them either.
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