You want to block certain websites on your Android phone, but it’s not obvious how. The options range from built‑in tools to third‑party apps and network changes, and the right method depends entirely on your situation. Before you install anything, you need to decide who you’re blocking for and how much control you need.
As of 2026, Android’s built‑in Digital Wellbeing and Google Family Link cover most personal and parental control needs without extra software. For system‑wide filtering that works across every app and browser, Android’s Private DNS feature offers a free, app‑free alternative. Let’s walk through the variables that determine which path you should take.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Vassia Atanassova, Spiritia
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The Real Question: Who Are You Blocking Sites For?
If you don’t answer that first, you’ll waste time on a method that doesn’t fit your situation. Blocking a child’s phone isn’t the same as blocking your own distractions. Blocking a work‑issued device isn’t the same as blocking your home Wi‑Fi.
Here’s how the answer splits:
You’re a parent. You need controls that a child can’t easily disable. Google Family Link is the official solution. It lets you approve or block sites, set screen‑time limits, and lock down app installs.
Samsung owners can also use Samsung Kids, which creates a separate, restricted environment.
You want self‑control. You’re a student, a remote worker, or someone who gets distracted by social media or YouTube. Digital Wellbeing’s Focus Mode and browser‑specific block lists work well here. No extra apps, no complex setup.
You can toggle the block on and off when you need to focus.
You need system‑wide blocking. You want to block adult content, malware sites, or entire categories across every app and browser on the device. Android’s Private DNS setting lets you route all traffic through a filtering service (like NextDNS or AdGuard DNS). This method works on both Wi‑Fi and mobile data, and it’s completely free.
You control the network. If you want to block sites for every device on your home Wi‑Fi (phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs), router‑level blocking is the way. You log into your router’s admin panel and add the sites to a block list. But this only works when devices are connected to that network.
Your choice should match your goal. If you pick the wrong path, you’ll either over‑complicate the setup or leave gaps that let blocked sites through.
Quick Answer: Three Paths, One Goal
For parents, use Google Family Link. For self‑control, use Digital Wellbeing or your browser’s site block list. For system‑wide filtering, set up Private DNS.
Router blocking works for your whole home network. Each method is free and built into Android or available without paid apps.
That’s the short version. Now let’s go through each path step by step, so you know exactly what to do and what to watch out for.
Path 1: You’re a Parent – Google Family Link
If you’re setting up a phone for a child under 13 (or any age where you want strict control), Google Family Link is the official, most reliable option. It’s built into Android starting with version 7.0, and it works on both the parent’s and child’s devices.
What you’ll need
- A Google account for yourself (the parent).
- A Google account for your child (you can create one during setup).
- Both devices (parent phone and child phone) connected to Wi‑Fi.
Setup steps
- Install the Family Link app on the parent device from the Play Store. On the child’s device, it may already be present as part of the setup wizard.
- Create or sign in to the child’s Google account. Follow the prompts to set age, name, and password.
- Link the accounts. The parent device will show a code; enter it on the child device to link them.
- Set content restrictions. In the Family Link app, tap “Manage settings” > “Filters on Google Chrome” > “Manage sites”. You can block specific URLs (like
youtube.com) or choose “Only allow approved sites” for a whitelist approach. - Test the block. On the child’s phone, open Chrome and try to load a blocked site. You should see a “This site is blocked” page.
What to watch out for
Children can bypass Family Link if they know the parent’s Google account password. Set a strong, unique password for the parent account. Also, Family Link only blocks sites in Chrome and the Google app.
It does not block sites in third‑party browsers like Firefox or Samsung Internet. For those, you need to install a browser that supports content restrictions, or use the DNS method we’ll cover in Path 3.
Samsung parents: If you have a Samsung tablet or phone, consider Samsung Kids instead. It creates a separate, restricted home screen where only approved apps and sites are accessible. You set it up in Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Parental controls.
Path 2: You Want Self‑Control – Digital Wellbeing + Browser Blocking
If the only site you need to block is your own distracting one (Reddit, Instagram, YouTube), you don’t need a separate app. Android’s Digital Wellbeing and your browser’s built‑in tools can handle it.
Using Digital Wellbeing’s Focus Mode
Focus Mode lets you pause specific apps for a set time. It doesn’t block websites directly, but it blocks the apps that open them. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
- Tap Focus Mode.
- Select the apps you want to pause (e.g., Chrome, Instagram, YouTube).
- Tap Turn on now or schedule a recurring time (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM on workdays).
When Focus Mode is active, those apps are greyed out and cannot be opened. You can end the session early, but it adds a friction step that often helps.
Blocking sites in your browser
Chrome: Open the site you want to block. Tap the three‑dot menu > Info icon (i) > Site settings. Tap “Clear & reset” to remove site data, then toggle “Block” for that site.
Chrome will remember your choice. Note: this only works for the specific URL, not the whole site category.
Samsung Internet: Open the site, tap the menu (three lines) > Settings > Sites and downloads > Site permissions > choose the site and tap “Block”. You can also add sites manually in Settings > Privacy and security > Block sites.
Firefox: Install the “uBlock Origin” extension and add custom filters to block specific domains. This is more advanced but powerful.
When this method works best
It’s excellent for light, occasional use. If you have strong willpower, Focus Mode is enough. If you need to block a site across every browser and app (including in‑app browsers), this won’t cut it.
That’s where Path 3 comes in.
Path 3: You Need System‑Wide Blocking – DNS Override
System‑wide blocking means the block applies to every browser, every app, and every background process on the phone. The simplest way to achieve this on a modern Android device is through the Private DNS setting.
How it works
Normally, your phone asks your internet provider’s DNS server what IP address belongs to a website. A DNS‑based blocking service (like NextDNS or AdGuard DNS) checks the request against a blocklist. If the site is on the list, the server returns a “not found” response, and the page fails to load.
It’s invisible to the user, the site just doesn’t open.
Setup steps
- Choose a DNS provider. Two popular free options:
, NextDNS:dns.nextdns.io(you can create a free account to customize blocklists)
, AdGuard DNS Family Protection: dns.adguard.com (blocks adult content and malware)
- Configure Private DNS on your Android phone (version 9 or later):
, Go to Settings > Connections > More connection settings > Private DNS (or Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS on stock Android).
, Select Private DNS provider hostname.
, Enter the hostname from step 1 (e.g., dns.adguard.com).
, Tap Save.
- Test it. Open a blocked site (like a known adult content site) in any browser. It should fail to load. Try a safe site like example.com, it should load normally.
What the block covers
This method blocks the entire domain (all pages on that site) across every app that makes internet requests. It also blocks sites in app‑embedded browsers (like the one inside Instagram or Twitter). It works on both Wi‑Fi and mobile data.
Limitations and drawbacks
- VPN conflict. If you use a VPN, Private DNS is automatically disabled. You cannot use both at the same time.
- No per‑app control. You cannot block sites only in Chrome and allow them in Firefox. It’s all or nothing.
- You need a hostname. Some older Android versions don’t have the Private DNS setting. In that case, you can install a DNS‑filtering app like “Intra” (by Google) or “Blokada”.
- Bypass possible. A user can switch back to “Automatic” DNS in the settings to turn off the block. If you’re blocking for a child, combine this with Family Link to block that setting.
When to use this path
Choose DNS blocking when you need to filter adult content, malware, or distracting sites across the entire device, and you don’t need granular per‑app control. It’s also a good backup for the browser‑only methods, it catches sites that slip through.
