How to Block Websites on Chrome for Android

Blocking distracting or inappropriate websites in Chrome on your Android phone is a straightforward way to manage what you and your family can access. This guide walks you through the built-in parental controls and a reliable workaround using a third-party app, so you can choose the method that fits your needs.

What You’ll Need

• An Android phone or tablet with Chrome installed.
• For the built-in method: a Google account (for Family Link) or a Google account with parental controls enabled.
• For the app method: a third-party website blocker app from the Google Play Store (e.g., BlockSite, Norton App Lock).

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Chrome’s Built-in Parental Controls (Family Link)

This is the most integrated approach, especially for parents managing a child’s device. It uses Google Family Link to filter or block specific sites across Chrome.

1. Set up Family Link – On the parent’s device, download the Family Link app from the Play Store. Follow the on-screen setup to create a Google account for your child (or link an existing one).
2. Open Family Link and select your child’s account – After setup, open the app and tap on your child’s profile.
3. Go to “Manage settings� – Scroll down and tap Manage settings, then select Filters on Google Chrome.
4. Choose “Manage sites� – Under the filter options, tap Manage sites.
5. Add a site to block – Tap Add a site (or the plus icon). Enter the domain you want to block, e.g., example.com. You can also use wildcards like *.example.com to block all subdomains.
6. Save and confirm – Tap Save. The block takes effect immediately on the child’s device. To remove a block, simply tap the “X� next to the site in the list.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party Website Blocker App

For adults or for more granular control (like blocking specific pages, not just domains), a dedicated app is more flexible. This method works by creating a VPN that filters traffic.

1. Install a website blocker app – Go to the Google Play Store and install a reputable app like BlockSite or Norton App Lock. These apps are free with optional premium features.
2. Open the app and grant permissions – When you first open it, the app will ask for permission to set up a VPN connection. Accept it. This is required for the app to intercept and block web traffic.
3. Add websites to the block list – In the app’s main screen, tap the + icon or “Add� button. Type the website URL (e.g., facebook.com) and confirm. You can often add entire categories (like “Social Media�) or use wildcards.
4. Enable the blocker – Make sure the app’s blocking switch is toggled on. The VPN icon will appear in your notification bar, indicating it’s active.
5. Test the block – Open Chrome and try to visit the blocked site. You should see a “This site is blocked� message.

Common Mistakes

• Blocking the wrong URL – Blocking facebook.com does not block m.facebook.com or facebook.net. Use wildcards (e.g., *.facebook.com) or block the specific subdomains you want.
• Forgetting to enable the VPN – With third-party apps, if the VPN is off, the blocker is inactive. Check your notification bar for the VPN icon.
• Using “Incognito mode� to bypass – Chrome’s Incognito mode can bypass some blockers. Family Link automatically blocks Incognito on managed accounts, but for third-party apps, you may need to enable “Block Incognito� in the app’s settings.
• Not clearing cached pages – If a page was loaded before you blocked it, it might still be accessible from cache. Clear Chrome’s cache (Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data) after setting up blocks.

Tips

• Use wildcards wisely – Blocking *.youtube.com will block all YouTube subdomains, but it may also block embedded videos on other sites. Test if that’s acceptable.
• Set a schedule – Many third-party apps allow you to set “blocking schedules� (e.g., block social media during work hours). This is great for productivity.
• Use categories for bulk blocking – Instead of adding dozens of sites, use the app’s category filters (e.g., “Adult�, “Gambling�, “Social Media�) to block entire groups at once.
• Protect your blocker – In third-party apps, enable a PIN or password so that you (or your kids) can’t easily disable the blocker.
• Combine with Chrome’s SafeSearch – For extra safety, enable SafeSearch in Chrome’s search settings to filter explicit results.

Troubleshooting

Block not working

If the site still loads, first check that the VPN is active (for third-party apps). Then, verify the URL is exactly right – try a different format (e.g., with or without “www�). Also, clear Chrome’s cache and try again. If it still fails, restart your phone.

Family Link not applying

Make sure the child is signed into Chrome with the managed account. On the parent device, check that the filter is set to “Allow all sites� or “Block specific sites� – if it’s set to “Allow all sites�, your block list won’t apply. Also, ensure the child’s device has an internet connection to sync changes.

Third-party app causing battery drain

VPN-based blockers can use extra battery. Check the app’s settings for a “Battery optimization� option, or restrict its background activity in Android’s Settings > Apps > [App] > Battery. If the drain is severe, consider switching to a different app.

Blocking a site that uses HTTP (not HTTPS)

Some older sites use HTTP. Some blockers only intercept HTTPS traffic. If the site is HTTP, try adding both http:// and https:// versions to the block list, or use a wildcard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block websites on Chrome without an app?

Yes, but only if you’re using Family Link. For a personal device without Family Link, Chrome itself doesn’t offer a native “block site� feature – you’ll need a third-party app.

Will blocking a website affect other browsers?

Family Link blocks sites across all browsers on the device. Third-party VPN-based blockers also work across all browsers, as they filter at the network level.

How do I block a specific page within a website?

With third-party apps, you can often add the full URL (e.g., example.com/page) to the block list. Family Link only blocks entire domains, not individual pages.

Can I temporarily unblock a site?

Yes. In Family Link, you can remove the site from the block list and re-add it later. In third-party apps, you can toggle the VPN off or use a “pause� feature.

Does blocking work in Incognito mode?

Family Link blocks Incognito mode entirely for managed accounts. Third-party apps may have a specific setting to block Incognito – enable it in the app’s settings.

Why is my block not working on some sites?

Some sites use multiple domains or redirects. For example, YouTube may load from youtube.com and googlevideo.com. Add all related domains to the block list, or use a category filter.

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