How to Block Websites on Safari on Mac

Safari Web Blocking Guide: Multiple Ways to Easily Block Visits to Specific Websites

Accessing almost any website on the Safari browser is easy, but sometimes for a variety of reasons, you may need to block certain websites. Maybe you share a Mac with your family, or your kids use it for learning and entertainment; or maybe you just don't want to visit certain specific websites. For whatever reason, Mac allows you to prevent your website from launching in Safari browser.

There are multiple ways to block a website in Safari browser on your Mac, the most obvious way is to use a third-party website to block the application. But you can also use the Mac's screen time feature and block websites in Safari browser via your router. Not sure how to do it? Don't worry, this article will show you all the ways to block websites in Safari browser on your Mac.

How to block websites in Safari browser on Mac

You probably already know how to block unwanted sites in Google Chrome, but did you know you can do the same in Safari browser, too? There are four ways you can block unwanted websites in Safari on your Mac.

Use Screen Use Time Block websites in Safari browser on Mac

Apple's Screen Time feature helps you manage and track the usage of apps and websites on your Mac. In addition to scheduling downtime and setting restrictions, it allows you to block unwanted sites on your Mac.

The first method is to select the website you want to visit in Safari browser:

1. Open System Preferences on your Mac and tap Screen Use Time .
2. Click on the content and privacy on the left side of the screen.
3. In the upper right corner, click Enable Content and Privacy Restrictions.
4. Now click Allow access to the following sites only and click Custom… to select the list of sites you want to access through Safari browser on your Mac. This will prevent any unlisted website from opening. Your Mac will notify you every time you block these sites in the background.

The second method is to block specific websites.

1. Open System Preferences and click Screen Use Time .
2. Click App Limits on the left sidebar of the screen.
3. Click Enable App Limit in the upper right corner.
4. Now click the plus icon in the lower left corner of the App Limit box.
5. Scroll down to the website and click the arrow on the left to see a list of sites you want to block. You can also add more sites to the list by clicking the green plus icon and pasting or entering the URL of the site in the text box . If you want to block the site completely, leave the time field at 0 hours 0 minutes. Alternatively, you can use the arrows to select the time you want to spend on the website each day next to each day. You can also set custom time by clicking Custom and then clicking Edit . Now select your daily time limit by selecting the checkbox.

That's it, you can only browse the website you like now.

Block websites in Safari browser on Mac using terminal

The terminal is the interface of the Mac, allowing you to block websites without parental control. It works by blocking the website from opening on the local IP address. Since this is a more technical approach, try this method only if you are familiar with using a command line prompt.

Start the Finder on your Mac:

1. Click Apps , and then double-click the Utilities folder.
2. Double-click on the terminal to start it.
3. First, back up the host file. This is an important step in case any problems arise. To back up the host file, type " sudo /bin/cp /etc/hosts /etc/hosts-original " in the new line and press Return .
4. When prompted, enter your Mac administrator password and press Return again.
5. Type " sudo nano /etc/hosts " and press Return .
6. Using the down arrow keys on your Mac, go to the new line and add the URL of the website you want to block, prefix it with the local IP address "127.0.0.1", and separate it with spaces. Make sure to add all versions of the website in the new line, for example, "127.0.0.1 onlyfans.com" and "127.0.0.1 www.onlyfans.com". Do this for every website you want to block.
7. When finished, press Control-O . Now press Return . The website you blocked is now saved.
8. To exit the terminal , press Control-X .

If you are not used to using this method, there are more ways to block websites in Safari browser.

Block websites in Safari browser on Mac via router

Another way to block websites on your Mac is through the router's settings:

1. Find your IP address on your router; it is usually at the bottom. Alternatively, you can go to Mac's System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced… > TCP/IP . Your IP address will be displayed next to the router .
2. Type the address of the website you want to block in Safari browser.
3. Now type the administrator name and password of the router as required.
4. On the settings page, look for options to block websites and add each website you want to block.

nailed it. Remember that if you get a new router in the future, you will need to do this again.

Block websites in Safari browser on Mac using third-party website blocking app

So far, we have shown you a variety of ways to block websites at the device level. The last way to block a website on your Mac is to use third-party apps. Here are three applications we recommend:

1Focus

As the name implies, 1Focus helps you focus on any work or task you are busy with by eliminating distractions (such as a website). This is one of the more popular focused apps. Blocking a website on 1Focus is easy.

1Focus allows you to block websites on the free version, but you can get more features with in-app purchases. The free version lasts for 14 days, after which you will have to pay approximately $2/month or $10/year unless you cancel the trial before the end of the trial period.

Session

Session allows you to work in a 25-minute session. It’s unique in that it has a healthy element – ​​the app prompts you to breathe before you start a new session and rests after you complete the session. You can block websites while working or studying to limit distractions. The app is free, but to use the website blocker feature, you have to upgrade to the Pro version.

If you are impressed with the free version of the app and are willing to upgrade, you will pay about $4/month.

Freedom

Unlike other device-specific website blockers, this focused app helps you limit interference on all devices at the same time. Like other applications, Freedom allows you to create lists of blocked sites. Select the optional lock mode check box to lock your session by not allowing you to edit the block list while working.

Freedom offers you six free sessions. When you run out of them, you will have to pay $7/month to continue using the app.

Easily block unwanted websites on your Mac

Mac offers a variety of ways to block websites in Safari browser. Most of these are built-in solutions, but you can also block websites with apps found on the App Store and online. Choose the best method for you from the options listed in this article.

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