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If you need to focus on work or study or want to cut down on your screen time, or if you're a parent and wish your kids to avoid inappropriate applications, you may want to block apps on your iPhone.
Whether you want to block certain apps, block downloading apps, or block apps permanently on iPhone, this guide will show you how to block apps on your iPhone, including built-in features like Screen Time as well as third-party apps.
You may want to block apps on iPhone for these possible reasons:
Whatever the reason is, you can easily blocks apps permanently or temporarily on iPhone by following the guide below.
It is common for iPhone users to spend several hours per day on their devices. In most cases, social media is mainly responsible for addiction.
People can become engrossed in many social networking sites, and they are highly addictive. Examples include Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. To alleviate this problem, you can enable restrictions in the iOS built-in settings.
You can set a time limit or block specific apps using the Screen Time feature. Before using iPhone Screen Time to block apps, you need to set up a screen time passcode, check the steps below:
Step 1: Go to the home screen, open Settings, then Screen Time.
Step 2: Under the Screen Time section, tap on Use Screen Time Passcode.
Step 3: Then you need to put in a four-digit password to set your own screen time passcode.
Note: This only works if it is the first time you use and set up screen time in your iPhone. If you have already set up a screen time passcode for your iPhone, don't worry. Simply go to the next guide to further set up app restrictions in iPhone.
Due to the wide range of apps available for work, play, and everything in between, you may find yourself permanently tethered to your iPhone. iOS users can arrange a "Time Out" by blocking apps and notifications for a certain period of time. Downtime limits your calling, messaging, and app usage to those you allow. To schedule your Downtime and block apps on iPhone during certain time ranges, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings, then Screen Time.
Step 2: Select Downtime, and tap on Scheduled.
Step 3: Enter the start and end times for Every Day or Customize Days.
If you want to block iPhone apps immediately, you can simply tap on Turn On Downtime Until Tomorrow, and most apps will be blocked in iPhone.
After turning on Downtime in iPhone, only apps in the allowed list and phone call will be available. During the downtime, the blocked app icon will be greyed out and cannot be accessed. And it looks like the screenshot below:
If you launch the app, you will see a 'Time Limit' note on the app screen. However, when you tap on 'Ignore Limit', and choose 'One More Minute' or 'Ignore Limite For Today', you will bypass the downtime limit and be able to use the app again. This is a big downside for the iPhone's downtime feature.
iPhone users can instantly set a time limit for categories of applications, including Games or Social media, as well as for each installed app.
How to block apps on iPhone via App Limits in Screen Time:
Step 1: Open Settings and head over to Screen Time.
Step 2: Now, select App Limits and click Add Limit. Choose one or multiple application categories.
Step 3: To set limits for installed apps, select the category name to view applications in that category, then hit the apps you wish to limit. In case you choose more than two categories or apps, the time limit you set applies to all of them.
Step 4: Hit Next, and set the amount of time allowed. You can set at least one minute for the limiting time.
Step 5: As soon you finish setting limits, click on Add.
A pop-up will appear when your set time limit runs out on the app. The user must enter the Screen Time passcode to continue using the app. There is an option to increase the time. To do that, you will need to enter the Screen Time passcode.
You can also use Content and Privacy Restricrions in Screen Time to block Apple's default apps on iPhone:
Step 1: Open Settings, and select Screen Time.
Step 2: Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Step 3: Toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Step 4: Tap Allowed Apps & Features.
Step 5: Disable the apps you want to block (apps are enabled by default).
By doing so, you can block the Apple's detault apps, such as Safari, FaceTime, and Wallet, and remove them from the Home Screen.
You can also tap Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content to configure the allowed store content, web content, and game center.
As you can see, all the apps in this list are the built-in apps or features in iOS. Third-party apps are exclusive in the list to block, which is a big problem for people who want to block third-party apps.
Additionally, you can remove the app from your App Store purchase history to ensure it is permanently blocked. Open the App Store app, tap your profile picture, and "Purchased." Find the app you want to block, swipe left on it, and tap "Hide".
Using Screen Time, you can also restrict access to the "iTunes & App Store Purchases" section in the Settings app if you want to block downloading apps on iPhone.
How to block downloading apps in iPhone, follow these steps:
After that, it will block installing apps on iPhone, and you or your child can't install unwanted apps.
All in all, these built-in blocking or restricting features in iPhone are helpful, but they are not the perfect solution. For instance, you can't completely block certain apps and there are ways to bypass the restrictions.
But don't be upset. If you want to permanently block apps on iPhone, no matter the built-in apps come with iOS or third-party apps downloaded from App Store, try the next method to get all resolved.
Another effective way to block apps on iPhone is to use third-party tools like AirDroid Parental Control. Although it's a dedicated app for parental control, it can help block apps in both iPhone and Android.
AirDroid Parent Control can help block apps on iPhone via these features:
How to block apps permanently on iPhone using AirDroid Parental Control, including built-in apps and third-party apps:
After that, apps that are blocked will disappear from the Home Screen on iPhone, thus it's not possible to launch the app and even ignore the app limit (which happens in the Apple's built-in app restriction feature).
One of the biggest advantages to use AirDroid Parental Control to block apps on iPhone is that it blocks apps completely and permanently, and can't be bypassed until you allow it again.
You can also hide an app and require passcode to open the app in your iPhone. Even though it's a direct way to block an app, it also helps if people don't want to use specific apps in certains time in iPhone.
This is an alternative way to block apps on iPhone and it's a new feature in iOS 18, so you will need to upgrade your iPhone to iOS 18 or later.
By doing so, the app will disappear from the Home Screen and move to the Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library.
Again, this is also a quick way to temporarily 'block' the app on iPhone. It's gone from the home screen and it requires some efforts to find the app and use it.
To unhide the app, go to the Home Screen, swipe left all your screen to open App Library, tap 'Hidden folder' and enter the passcode. Then touch and hold the app to choose 'Don't Require Passcode'.
In closing, we have discussed 3 effective ways on how to block apps on iPhone. Blocking apps on an iPhone is an effective way to manage privacy, improve productivity, or safeguard children. We hope this guide has been helpful. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave your comments.
Yes, you can block specific apps on an iPhone using the Screen Time feature, as mentioned in this article. Once you've set an app limit, the app will be blocked when the time limit is reached.
Alternatively, you can set a passcode to prevent your child from changing the app limit settings. Follow the prompts to set a passcode by going to "Settings," then "Screen Time," and "Use Screen Time Passcode."
If you want to block apps on iPhone parental controls, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open "Settings" from your iPhone's app menu.
Step 2: Select "Screen Time" from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Follow the prompts to set up Screen Time if you haven't already done so. Choose "Content & Privacy Restrictions."
Step 4: Toggle the toggle switch for "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and enter your passcode (or create one if you don't have one).
Step 5: Choose "Allowed Apps." Block any apps you want by turning off the toggle switch.
When you block an app using parental controls, it will be hidden on your child's iPhone, and they will not be able to access it. When they try to open a blocked app, they'll see a message saying it's not allowed.
You can set a password to prevent your child from changing parental control settings. Follow the prompts to set a passcode by going to "Settings," "Screen Time," and "Use Screen Time Passcode."
You can safely block apps on your child's iPhone by using iPhone Screen Time or using AirDroid Parental Control.
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