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When you know how to block websites on the Google Chrome mobile app, you can protect your children on the internet or avoid distractions when working for productivity’s sake.
With so much content on the internet, not all of it is good or safe. Some websites can be a waste of time or even dangerous, like those with inappropriate material, scams, or malware that could harm your device.
Luckily, most web browsers, including Google Chrome, allow you to block certain websites you don’t want to visit.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to block websites on Google Chrome by using the mobile app or without. And if you ever decide to unblock a website later, we’ll cover that too, so you’re always in control.
There are a few key reasons why you might want to block a website:
It’s super easy no matter why you want to block websites on Google Chrome. In just a few clicks, you can control which sites are accessible, making it easy to customize your online experience to fit your needs.
If you’re looking for a way to control your browsing, Chrome’s website-blocking feature is a great choice because it’s both powerful and flexible.
See also: How to Share Google Chrome Tabs Between Android and PC | Full Guide
Now, what exactly does it mean to block websites on Chrome? When blocking a website entirely, you will prevent browser users from accessing any content on those websites.
This includes images, videos, text, and file downloads. This tool can also be used for harm reduction. Adults and children will be interested in digital desserts like social media, video games, streaming, etc.
But prolonged exposure to screens, especially at a young age, can breed addiction akin to those who struggle with substances and trigger mental health problems. That doesn’t mean the only way to avoid this is to cut these pleasures out of your digital diet.
But you can better regulate yourself and your loved ones by setting time limits on these sites using the same methods you would use to block them entirely. For many, this can provide a major boost to your work-life balance!
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To unblock it later, follow the same steps and click Remove next to the website.
While Chrome does let you block websites through its settings, you might find it limiting. That’s where extensions come in handy—they give you extra features and customization. There are also some Chrome extensions to boost productivity when working.
Head to the Chrome Web Store and click Extensions on the left menu to get one. Choose the one you want and hit Add to Chrome. Afterward, confirm by selecting Add Extension in the pop-up box. You can find and manage your extensions by clicking the puzzle piece icon near the address bar.
Some popular extensions to block websites include:
See also: How to Access Your Windows Laptop When You’ve Forgotten Your Password
Parental controls are found in Google’s Family Link, not directly in Chrome. Family Link allows you to monitor your child’s online activity.
You and your child must create Google accounts, download the Family Link app, and follow the steps to set up a supervised account. Once set up, you can control which sites your child can access.
Here’s how to block websites using Family Link:
If you don’t want to mess with browser settings or extensions, you can block sites by editing your device’s host file. This method is more technical, and you must be careful not to mess up your system. Keep in mind that this won’t block sites across all browsers, just Chrome.
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Be cautious when using this method. If you make a mistake, you could accidentally block sites you don’t want to. It’s always easier to stick with Chrome’s built-in tools or extensions.
Here are how to block websites on Google Chrome Mobile on your iOS and Android
With these quick steps, managing what websites you or your kids can access becomes super easy, keeping things safe and distraction-free!
See also: How to View and Remove Google Chrome’s Incognito History
Unblocking websites on Chrome depends on how you blocked them in the first place. Don’t worry, and it’s easy to get access back! Here’s how to do it based on the method you used:
If you used the BlockSite extension, click on its icon in your browser. Choose Edit block list, then find the URL you want to unblock under the Blocked sites section. Click the trash can icon next to it, and that site will no longer be blocked.
For sites blocked using Windows parental controls, head to the Microsoft account manager for the child’s account. Navigate to Content filters, find the site’s URL under Blocked sites, and remove it to unblock access.
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If you blocked sites by editing your computer’s host file, you must reopen that file using a text editor (like Notepad for Windows).
Scroll to the bottom, delete any blocked URLs you no longer want to be restricted to, and then save the file.
Log into the console and go to the URL blocking section if you blocked websites using Chrome’s URL Blocklist through the Google Admin Console. Find the site’s domain on the blocklist and remove it to unblock the site.
Each method only takes a few quick steps, so you can easily regain access whenever you’re ready!
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There are several ways to block websites on Chrome. The browser has built-in settings to help you block access, but extensions are available to boost functionality if you need more advanced features. These are great for productivity or parental control. And if you’re tech-savvy, you can even block websites before you open the browser by tweaking some settings.
Some of the top website blockers include SiteBlock, Freedom, Serene, and Y-Productive. Some are available as apps you can download to your device, while others are compatible with operating systems like Windows or Mac. Each has different features so you can choose the best fit for your needs.
Blocking websites can be super helpful, depending on your situation. Blocking distracting sites during work hours can improve productivity if you want to focus better. Parents can also block harmful or inappropriate websites to keep their kids safe online and set time limits on specific sites.
Definitely! Everything mentioned in this post can be easily reversed. You can block and unblock websites whenever possible, so it’s flexible. It’s all about finding what works best for you, whether you’re trying to improve productivity or protect your family.
While blocking methods, like editing the hosts file, are more challenging to bypass, people with some tech skills might find ways around it. Extensions like BlockSite offer password protection to prevent changes to the block list, adding an extra layer of security.
Blocking certain websites on Chrome is a great way to protect young users from inappropriate content, avoid risky files from shady sites, and boost your productivity.
You have now learned to block websites on Google Chrome mobile apps and Windows. This is a simple yet powerful tool for improving your online experience!
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