You’re staring at your phone, and before you know it, you’ve spent forty minutes scrolling through a site you promised yourself you’d stop visiting. Or maybe you're a parent trying to make sure a kid doesn't stumble onto the darker corners of the web while using a tablet. We’ve all been there.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. Google Chrome is the most popular browser on the planet, but for some reason, the mobile version doesn’t have a big, red "Block This Site" button anywhere in the settings. If you’ve been looking for that specific toggle, stop. It doesn’t exist.
Basically, to block websites on chrome mobile, you have to get a little creative. You’re going to need to use some system-level tricks or third-party tools. It’s not just one-size-fits-all. Android and iPhone handle this very differently.
The Android Reality: It’s a Bit of a Workaround
On Android, Chrome is deeply integrated with your Google account. Because there isn't a native "blocklist" inside the app, the most effective way to handle this without downloading junk is through Google Family Link.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. "I’m an adult, I don't need parental controls." But here’s the thing: Family Link is currently the only way to get a hard, URL-level block on Chrome mobile that actually stays synced.
If you’re setting this up for a child, it’s straightforward. You install the Family Link app, link their account, and head to Controls > Google Chrome. From there, you can choose "Only allow approved sites." This is the "nuclear option." It blocks everything except what you specifically whitelist.
For your own productivity? You’re better off using an app like BlockSite or AppBlock. These apps use Android’s "Accessibility" services to literally "see" when you type a forbidden URL and snatch the screen away before the page loads.
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It feels a bit like having a digital bodyguard.
What About the iPhone?
If you’re on an iPhone, you’re in luck. Apple’s "Screen Time" is actually way more powerful for blocking Chrome sites than anything Google has built into the browser itself.
Even though you’re using Chrome, the iOS system can throttle the web traffic at the root.
- Go to your iPhone Settings.
- Tap Screen Time and then Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Toggle it on, then go to Store, Web, Siri & Game Center > Content Restrictions.
- Tap Web Content.
Here’s where it gets good. You can select "Limit Adult Websites," which uses Apple's own database to scrub the bad stuff. But if you want to block a specific site—like a news site that stresses you out or a shopping site that eats your paycheck—scroll down to Never Allow and hit Add Website.
The moment you type www.distractionsite.com there, Chrome will refuse to load it. You’ll get a "Restricted Site" message. It’s effective. It’s clean. It’s hard to bypass unless you know your own passcode.
The DNS Trick (The Pro Move)
If you don't want to install apps and you want to block things across your entire phone—not just Chrome—you need to change your DNS.
Think of DNS like the phonebook of the internet. If you change your phonebook to one that "forgets" the addresses of bad sites, your phone can't find them.
On Android 13 and newer, you can go to Settings > Network & Internet > Private DNS. Instead of "Automatic," choose "Private DNS provider hostname."
If you enter adult-filter-dns.cleanbrowsing.org, your phone will suddenly start blocking adult content system-wide. No apps required. For specific sites, services like NextDNS allow you to create a custom account, toggle specific domains off, and then just paste your custom ID into that Private DNS box.
It's sorta brilliant. It doesn't drain your battery because it's not an app running in the background. It's just a setting.
The JavaScript "Hack"
There is a weird, old-school trick inside Chrome's own settings that most people ignore. It’s not a "block," but it breaks a website so badly it’s basically unusable.
Inside Chrome, tap the three dots and go to Settings > Site Settings > JavaScript. You can add an "Exception." If you add a site here and set it to "Block," that website won't be able to load any interactive elements. No videos, no scrolling feeds, no pop-ups.
It makes the site look like it’s from 1995. For some people, that’s enough of a deterrent to stop them from visiting.
Why Is This So Hard?
You might wonder why Google makes it so difficult to block websites on chrome mobile.
The truth is, Google is an advertising company. Their whole business model relies on you being able to access as much of the web as possible. Building a "Do Not Visit" button into their primary mobile product is a bit counter-intuitive to their goals.
That’s why third-party apps like Stay Focused or Freedom are so popular. They fill the gap that Google intentionally left open.
Practical Next Steps
If you want to actually get this done right now, don't try to do everything at once. Pick the method that fits your goal:
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- For Kids: Use Google Family Link (Android) or Screen Time (iOS). It’s the only way to ensure they can’t just "undo" the setting easily.
- For Your Own Focus: Download BlockSite. The "Focus Mode" feature is worth the download alone. It lets you block sites on a timer, so you can browse the news at night but stay locked in during work hours.
- For System-Wide Cleaning: Switch your Private DNS to a filtered provider like Cloudflare (1.1.1.3) or CleanBrowsing.
Whatever you choose, remember that no block is 100% un-bypassable. The goal isn't to build a digital prison—it's to create enough "friction" so that you have to think twice before you waste time or stumble onto something you shouldn't.
Start with the DNS change if you want the easiest, "set it and forget it" solution. It takes thirty seconds and covers the most ground.