Block Websites on Android: All Browsers Guide

To block websites for all browsers on Android, you need to use a system-wide filter rather than a browser-specific setting. The most reliable methods are using a dedicated blocking app (like BlockSite or Family Link) or changing your DNS settings to a filtering service (like OpenDNS or NextDNS). These approaches work across Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet, and any other browser you install.

Why Browser Settings Aren’t Enough

Every Android browser has its own way to block sites, but each one only affects that single app. Chrome’s “Blocked sites” feature, Firefox’s add-ons, and Samsung Internet’s content blockers all operate in isolation. If you block a site in Chrome, it still opens in Firefox, Edge, or any other browser on your phone. For a true “all browsers” block, you must intercept traffic at a level that every app uses—either through the network stack (DNS) or through Android’s accessibility services (which can monitor and block in real time).

Method 1: Use a Blocking App (Easiest)

Apps like BlockSite, AppBlock, and Family Link are designed to block websites and apps across the entire device. They work by creating a local VPN or using Android’s accessibility service to inspect URLs as they are loaded. Because they operate at the system level, they affect every browser.

BlockSite – Free tier blocks a limited number of sites; paid version adds scheduling and password protection.
Family Link – Google’s parental control app, which can block specific sites on supervised devices.
AppBlock – Focuses on blocking apps but also has a website blocker.

Setup is straightforward: install the app, grant the required permissions (usually “Usage Access” and “Accessibility”), then add the URLs you want to block. The app maintains a list and prevents the browser from loading those pages.

Method 2: Change Your DNS to a Filtering Service

DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names like “example.com” into IP addresses. If you use a DNS service that blocks known bad sites, the browser never gets the IP address, so the page fails to load—in every browser, on every app.

Open Settings on your Android device.
Go to Network & Internet → Wi-Fi (or Mobile network for cellular).
Tap the gear icon next to your connected network.
Select IP settings and change from DHCP to Static.
Enter the DNS addresses of a filtering service (e.g., OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220).
Save the settings.

This blocks sites that the DNS service categorizes as “adult,” “malware,” or “social media” depending on your chosen filter. However, you cannot block a specific custom URL unless the DNS service lets you create a custom blocklist (like NextDNS does).

Method 3: Use a Private DNS (Android 9+)

Android 9 and later include a “Private DNS” setting that works over both Wi-Fi and mobile data. You can point it to a DNS-over-TLS service that filters content.

Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS.
Select Private DNS provider hostname.
Enter a hostname like dns.nextdns.io (requires a free NextDNS account to set custom blocklists) or family.adguard.com (AdGuard’s family filter).

This method is simpler than static DNS and works across all browsers and even apps that don’t use the system DNS. The downside is that you rely on the DNS provider’s filter categories; you cannot block a single site unless the provider supports custom rules.

Which Method Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your goal:

For parental control – Family Link is the best because it also limits app usage and provides reports. It blocks websites based on Google SafeSearch and can block specific sites.
For personal productivity – BlockSite or AppBlock give you granular control and scheduling (e.g., block social media during work hours).
For whole-network blocking – If you want to block sites on all devices (including computers), change the DNS on your router instead of the phone.
For privacy plus blocking – NextDNS or AdGuard DNS block ads and trackers as well as adult content, but require a bit of setup.

Common Problems and Fixes

Even with a blocker, you may hit issues:

Blocked site still opens – The site might be using an IP address directly, bypassing DNS. Use a blocking app that inspects URLs, not just DNS.
VPN conflict – Many blocking apps create a local VPN. If you also use a commercial VPN, they may conflict. Disable one of them.
HTTPS sites – DNS blocking works for HTTPS because the domain is visible during the TLS handshake. However, some sophisticated sites use domain fronting; blocking apps that inspect traffic can catch these.
Clearing cache – After changing DNS, old DNS entries may be cached. Restart your phone or toggle Airplane mode to flush the cache.
Blocking apps get disabled – Android may kill background apps. Check battery optimization settings and allow the blocker to run in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these methods block sites in incognito mode?

Yes. DNS-based blocking works regardless of incognito mode because the request never reaches the browser. Blocking apps that use a local VPN also intercept traffic before it reaches the browser, so incognito tabs are covered.

Can I block a specific URL, not just a domain?

DNS blocking can only block whole domains. For a specific path (e.g., example.com/page), you need a blocking app that inspects URLs. BlockSite and similar apps can block exact URLs.

Does this work on mobile data as well as Wi-Fi?

Static DNS only applies to the Wi-Fi network you configure. For mobile data, you need to use the Private DNS setting (Android 9+) or a blocking app that creates a local VPN, which works on both.

Is there a free way to block websites?

Yes. OpenDNS offers free DNS filtering, and BlockSite has a free tier. Family Link is completely free. The free options may have limited features, but they are sufficient for basic blocking.

Will blocking websites slow down my internet?

DNS-based blocking adds a tiny delay (a few milliseconds) because the DNS lookup goes through a third-party server. Blocking apps that create a local VPN can add slightly more overhead, but in practice, most users don’t notice a difference.

How do I unblock a site later?

For DNS methods, remove the custom DNS or change the filter settings. For blocking apps, open the app and delete the site from your blocklist. If you set a password, you’ll need to enter it.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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