[Easy Steps] How to Block Apps on Android Phones

Apps are key software components of any digital device. On mobile phones, they are the various interfaces users use to get things done. Apps have many features and can differ in size and function requirements on a device. For instance, apps on Android phones are slightly different from those on iOS devices. However, these apps may take too much memory, background data, unwarranted permissions, etc.

For these reasons, users want to know how to block apps on Android. Blocking these apps will stop them from requesting auto-update, taking up more space, slowing down the phone's processing speed, or other effects of apps on Android phones. Follow through this article to discover some methods on how to block apps on Android.

Video Tutorial: How to Block Apps on Android

How to Block Apps on Android

You can control or temporarily stop an app's actions on your Android device by blocking it. Hence, we shall consider the available options for blocking Android apps.

Digital Wellbeing

One of the inbuilt utility features of the latest Android versions is the Digital Wellbeing app. You can download it on the Google Play Store for Android devices that do not have this app. It records the daily usage of apps and websites on your Android device. Also, it allows you to set the time limit of usage you prefer for each app.

Here is how to access and use the feature.

1. Open the 'Settings' app of your Android device.

2. Navigate to 'Digital Wellbeing & parental control' and open it.

3. In the 'App timers' item, click 'Set timer.'

4. Select the app you want to block and hit 'Set timer.'

5. Set the time limit and click 'OK.'

Use Google Family Link

Google Family Link is a parental control tool from Google that includes a crucial 'block apps' feature. This allows parents to control which apps their child can use. Parents can block already installed apps if they're being used excessively or at inappropriate times, providing their children with a safer and more balanced digital experience.

Here is how to block an app with Google Family Link.

1. Sign in on the respective devices of the parent and child's Google accounts.

2. Download and open the Family Link app on the parent device.

3. Pick a family member's account.

4. Click on View all apps or the More option under the installed app to see their available apps.

5. Select the app you want to block and toggle off the button to block the app.

AirDroid App Blocker for Android

The next method for blocking apps on Android is to use a third-party parental control app that comes with an 'app blocking' feature, such as AirDroid Parental Control

This app helps you block apps on your child's phone remotely without taking away their device. Also, you can use the app to limit how long your kid spends on an app. Learn how to block an app with AirDroid Parental Control.

1. Open AirDroid Parental Control tap 'Usage Limits,' and choose 'App Time Limits.'

2. Click 'Add limits' and choose the app you want to block.

3. Select 'Available Time Limits' and choose 'Every day.'

4. Set 'Available Time Limits' as '00:00' to block the app.

How to Block a Specific App on Android from Being Downloaded

One of the functions you will see on your Android device is that some apps download without your permission. However, you can block these apps from downloading. This section shows how you can stop it.

Configure Google Play Store Restrictions

Google Play Store is home to most apps on Android devices. Hence, apps being downloaded happen on it often. However, the app does not have a feature for stopping the download. It is similar to AirDroid Parental Control. AirDroid Parental Control cannot stop downloading, but it can prevent using the new app or getting notifications from the newly installed app. On the other hand, Google Play Store uses a Parental Restriction method to prevent apps of certain categories from being downloaded. Here is how to use this method.

1. Open the Play Store app and tap on the profile icon or image.

2. Navigate to Settings and open it.

3. Click on the Family option.

4. Click on the Parental controls and turn it on by sliding the switch in front of it.

5. Create the content PIN if the feature has never been activated and click OK.

6. Click on Apps & games for the app categories you will block.

7. Pick the age range that covers the most apps – Everyone – and click Got it.

8. Complete the process by clicking Save.

Family Link

Google Family Link allows parents to manage app purchases and downloads from the Google Play Store.

Once the child's Google account is connected to the parent's through Family Link, parents can approve or block the apps that their child wants to download from the Play Store. Parents can also manage in-app purchases. If the child tries to download an app or make an in-app purchase, the parent will receive a notification and can approve or deny the request directly from their own device.

1. Open Google Family Link.

2. Click on 'Manage settings.'

3. Choose 'Google Play.'

4. Tap 'Require approval for.'

5. Choose 'All content.'

AirDroid Parental Control

In addition to blocking apps, AirDroid Parental Control allows parents to restrict their children from installing new apps installation their phones. Here's how to:

1. Open AirDroid Parental Control and click on 'Usage Limits.'

2. Turn on the 'Forbid New Apps' button.

How to Block Apps on Android from Auto-update

Suppose you turn on the auto-update feature of your app store. In that case, it will automatically update your apps when new versions are available. Here is how to block apps on Android from auto-update.

1. Open the Play Store app and lick on the profile icon or image at the top right corner.

2. Navigate to Settings and open it.

3. Click on the Network preferences option.

4. Choose the Auto-update apps option.

5. Lastly, tap on the Don't auto-update apps feature.

How to Restrict App Permissions on Android

Depending on the app's function, it may request certain permissions like Camera, Microphone, Storage, Location, etc. If you do not want certain apps to get this permission, you can turn it off using these steps.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.

2. Click on the Apps or Apps & notifications option to see the list of apps on your device.

3. Click on the app you want to change its permission settings.

4. Turn off all or a few permissions you want to restrict the app.

You can turn off app permissions per feature in the Apps or Apps & notifications screen. Click the hamburger icon and select App permissions to see all the available features.

Bonus: How to Find Hidden Apps on Android

All the apps on your device will be listed on the Applications screen of your mobile device. You can also check the Applications screen of your Settings app. However, if a third-party app or launcher hides an app, you can check its hidden apps feature.

Wrap Up

Phone usage can easily get out of hand. For instance, an average American man spends about one out of six hours each day on their phone. Aside from that, apps are constantly running on a device. The running apps use data, memory, battery, etc., which keeps wearing off the device's life expectancy. Hence, you can maximize your device functions by blocking these apps that take up your time and using your phone features without your permission. Hence, this article has put together all the steps you need to block Android apps.

Hottest Question Related to Block Apps on Android

Q 1. How Do I Restrict Access to Apps on Android?

Elsa

You can restrict access to apps on Android by using app blockers like AirDroid Parental Control. In addition, there are other third-party apps online that you can get or use for Digital Wellbeing services. These options will help you block your app or set a limit.

Q 2. How Do I Limit Certain Apps on Android?

Elsa

You can limit certain apps on Android by setting time, data, permission, and usage boundaries. These boundaries would mean that the app cannot keep functioning once it exhausts the available time, data, or permission you have set using control and blocker apps.

Q 3. How Do I Permanently Block Certain Apps on Android?

Elsa

You can permanently lock an app on an Android device by using AirDroid Parental Control. It has a feature to prevent you from using certain apps on your device. Also, you can put on the same control on your target phone, so you do not use it.

Q 4. Can You Disable an App Without Deleting It?

Elsa

Yes, you can disable an app without deleting or uninstalling it. All you need to do is get an app blocker that restricts the functioning of your app. Then, you can disable it temporarily or permanently until you need the app.

Q 5. How Do You Put a Lock on Apps?

Elsa

There are several ways to put a lock on Apps. For instance, you can use the Pining feature available on Android devices. You can use our third-party app, AirDroid Parental Control. Finally, you can use launcher apps and other third-party apps that allow app locks.

Q 6. How Do I Restrict Apps on My Samsung?

Elsa

Using the pinning feature in the phone settings or the Secure Folder option, you can restrict apps on Samsung devices. These features come preinstalled on Samsung devices. In addition, you can install AirDroid Parental Control to restrict apps on Samsung.