Blocking specific websites on Chrome mobile is either a parental-control task, a malware cleanup step, or a productivity move. The options differ between Android and iOS, and neither Chrome mobile build offers a native per-site denylist, so a layered approach works best. For related network-level coverage, see what is an ad blocker.
Why would you need to block a website on a phone?
Common reasons include:
- Parental control: keeping mature, violent, or otherwise inappropriate content off a child’s device.
- Defense against malicious sites: preventing a device from loading a domain that delivers phishing or malware.
- Productivity: dampening the pull of social media or content sites during work hours.
- Reducing data waste: stopping a heavy, ad-laden site from consuming a limited data plan.
The method of choice depends on the device, but the principle is the same: remove the request before it returns content.
Why does Chrome Android not include a per-site block list?
Google’s Chrome for Android keeps its Site settings menu focused on broad permissions such as pop-ups and redirects, rather than a domain-level denylist. The most straightforward built-in option is Chrome’s pop-up limiter. To enable it:
- Open Chrome on your Android phone.
- Tap the three dots next to the address bar and open Settings.
- Tap Site settings.
- Tap Pop-ups and redirects and make sure it is set to blocked.
For more granular site blocking, the most practical option on Android is to switch to a browser that filters at the network level. ProBlocker, for example, is free, open source, and blocks ads, trackers, pop-ups, and malware domains at the network layer on Android. DNS-level filters add a second, complementary option: changing your private DNS to a filtering resolver blocks an entire hostname before any browser even opens, which is the strongest whole-device approach short of rooting. For more on the difference between DNS blocking and extension-based blocking, see how ad blockers work.
How do you block websites on iOS with Screen Time?
iOS does not let Chrome for iOS add a per-site denylist, but Screen Time restricts websites across every browser on the device:
- Open Settings on the iPhone or iPad.
- Choose Screen Time, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If you have not enabled restrictions, turn them on.
- Tap Content Restrictions, then choose Web Content.
- Select Limit Adult Websites, which exposes an additional panel with Allowed Websites Only and Limit Adult Websites. Either way, scroll to Never Allow and tap Add Website.
- Enter the URL of the site you want to block.
This denial list applies across Safari and every third-party browser on the device.
It describes how request-level filtering differs from browser-side denylists.
Why do you want to avoid a generic free Chrome extension for this?
Many free “Website Blocker” extensions in the Chrome Web Store rely on injection scripts that load a second copy of the page before hiding it, which can slow down page loads on weaker Android hardware. They also frequently request broad site-read permissions to function, which is a larger permission footprint than a network-level blocker that only needs network-filter access. When reviewing alternatives, prioritize a browser or blocker that:
- Filters at the network level before assets are downloaded.
- Publishes its source code so the permission model is auditable.
- Updates filter lists at least daily so newly reported malware domains are covered quickly.
For a comparison of the API-level options, the best ad blocker roundup covers request-based browsers alongside app-based tools.
Which third-party options work well for this use case?
- Network-level ad-blocking browsers such as ProBlocker handle the network request before the page loads, covering not just ads but also pop-ups and malicious domains.
- Dedicated site-blocker apps such as Website Blocker add a manual denylist for when you want to block specific URLs by choice.
- DNS-based filtering on Android or a router can cover every device on a home network, which is the strongest approach for households.
The same comparison covers DNS-based and app-based options alongside request-based browsers.
When is a full browser replacement the right call?
If you have to block more than a handful of sites on a phone, a browser with built-in network-level blocking, such as ProBlocker, reduces the overhead by handling the filtering as requests come in rather than using multiple apps and settings.
How ProBlocker addresses this
For Android and iOS, the ProBlocker gives you network-level blocking that the big default browsers lack. ProBlocker blocks ads, pop-ups, trackers, and malware domains through EasyList, EasyPrivacy, and uBlock Origin lists refreshed daily. It is free, open source on GitHub, and collects no user data. Add it from the download page.