How to Block Websites on Android (Easy Setup, All Browsers)

What website blocking on Android should cover

Before choosing a method, decide what you want it to do. A Chrome-only rule may not help if you can open the same site in Firefox, Samsung Internet, Brave or an in-app browser.

• All browsers and apps: useful when you want site filtering beyond one browser.
• Categories: adult content, social media, gambling or other groups can be quicker to manage than a long list of individual sites.
• Custom URLs: add specific sites that are not included in a category filter.
• Control: choose whether the block should be enabled now and when to turn it off.
• Privacy: understand where filtering happens and whether browsing data leaves your device.

Keep these needs in mind as you compare the methods below. For parents, the right option also depends on whether the child uses a supervised account or can change network and browser settings.

Method 1: Use a filtering Private DNS

Android’s Private DNS setting lets you use a DNS provider that filters selected categories, often including adult sites. It is free to configure and can work across browsers without installing a separate blocker. The exact sites and categories filtered depend on the provider.

Steps on stock Android or Pixel:

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → Private DNS.
2. Choose Private DNS provider hostname.
3. Enter a family-filter hostname, for example family.cloudflare-dns.com, family.adguard-dns.com or family-filter-dns.cleanbrowsing.org.
4. Tap Save.

Menu names can differ on Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus and other brands. Search Settings for “Private DNS” if you cannot find the menu. Always confirm the current hostname and filter coverage on the DNS provider’s own website before using it.

Pros: free, no extra blocker app, and can cover multiple browsers and mobile data. Limits: filtering is limited to the provider’s categories; custom lists may require a separate dashboard. A browser’s own secure-DNS setting or another network configuration may affect filtering.

Method 2: Use a browser extension

Firefox for Android supports add-ons, so you can use a site-blocker extension to manage specific sites within that browser. This can be enough if you only need browser-level rules and do not mind other browsers remaining available.

Steps:

1. Install Firefox from Google Play.
2. Open Menu → Add-ons and look for a site-blocker extension in the Android add-on list.
3. Install the extension, then add the sites or keywords you want it to block.

The available add-ons can change, so check the current list in Firefox. Pros: free and customisable. Limits: it only applies inside that browser. Chrome, Brave, Samsung Internet or an in-app browser may still open the same site.

Method 3: Block sites on your router

Many routers let you block domains or enable filtered DNS for devices on your home network. This can be useful when you want the same Wi-Fi rule for several household devices.

Steps: sign in to your router’s admin page or app, find parental controls, content filtering or DNS settings, then add the domains or enable the filter. The exact setup depends on the router model and internet provider.

Pros: can cover devices connected to that network. Limits: it applies only on that Wi-Fi. Switching to mobile data or another network bypasses the router rule, and setup varies by router.

Method 4: How to block websites on Android with a website blocker

A dedicated website blocker for Android can give you categories and custom URLs without limiting the rules to Chrome. ScreenBreathe filters sites across browsers and apps using a local, on-device VPN. Android asks for VPN permission so the app can filter network connections; the filtering happens on the phone, and browsing data is not sent off-device.

How to block websites on Android with ScreenBreathe

1. Install ScreenBreathe: Install ScreenBreathe: Screen Time from Google Play on your Android phone.
2. Open website blocking: Open the website-blocking feature in the app.
3. Allow the VPN permission: Accept Android’s VPN permission prompt so ScreenBreathe can filter connections locally on your device.
4. Choose categories: Select the adult, social media, gambling, gaming, streaming or news categories you want to block.
5. Add custom URLs: Add specific website addresses that are not covered by the categories you selected.
6. Turn on website blocking: Enable website blocking. It runs continuously in the background until you turn it off, and you can enable or disable it at any time.

Choose categories for adult sites, social media, gambling, gaming, streaming and news. Lists include India-regional domains, and you can add custom URLs for sites that need individual rules.

Website blocking is standalone. It runs continuously in the background while enabled, without requiring a session or mode. You remain in control and can enable or disable it at any time. If you leave it on, it can run 24/7.

You can also use website blocking alongside a Pomodoro, countdown or stopwatch focus session. Detox is integrated: when a Detox session starts, website blocking is forced on for that session, even if it was off beforehand.

ScreenBreathe also brings app blocking with Gentle, Focus, Deep and Kids Profile levels, focus sessions, Detox and screen-time reports into one app. Parents looking to block websites for kids on Android can use its website and app-blocking options to help manage a child’s phone; students and working adults can use the same tools to reduce distractions.

Limits to know: Android allows only one active VPN at a time, so another VPN app can conflict with website filtering. Someone with access to the phone can turn website blocking off. Choose the settings that suit your needs and explain the rules together if you are setting up a child’s device.

For more on focus routines, see ScreenBreathe’s study focus guide. To learn about digital detox, explore how a planned break can fit into your device habits.

Get ScreenBreathe on Google Play

Which Android website blocker should you choose?

Coverage and filtering can depend on the provider and your phone’s network settings. Test the method you choose on the browsers and connections you use.

Common mistakes when blocking websites on Android

• Blocking in one browser only: another browser may still open the site. Use a phone-level filtering method for broader coverage.
• Blocking only “www.site.com”: add the base domain and other relevant addresses your chosen tool supports.
• Forgetting mobile data: router blocks stop applying when you leave that Wi-Fi network.
• Running two VPNs: Android allows one active VPN at a time, so choose which VPN should be connected.
• Turning blocking off: website filtering runs while enabled. If you want it active during a Detox session, starting Detox forces it on for that session.

Frequently asked questions

Choose how to block websites on Android

Private DNS is a useful free starting point for the categories a provider filters, while browser extensions and router rules have limits on where they apply. ScreenBreathe gives you custom URLs and category filtering across browsers and apps, with private on-device processing. It runs continuously while enabled, can be switched off whenever you choose, and Detox forces it on for that session. You also get app blocking, focus sessions and screen-time reports in the same app.

Get ScreenBreathe on Google Play