How to Block and Unblock Websites on a Mac

This article was co-authored by Yaffet Meshesha and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Yaffet Meshesha is a Computer Specialist and the Founder of Techy, a full-service computer pickup, repair, and delivery service. With over eight years of experience, Yaffet specializes in computer repairs and technical support. Techy has been featured on TechCrunch and Time.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

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Blocking certain websites can keep you productive during the workday or minimize the chance of your child finding adult content. You can create a website "blacklist" for your Mac with the built-in Screen Time options, in Terminal, using third-party browser extensions or apps, or even on your router. If you’re struggling to access certain websites, we’ll also teach you how to unblock them.

The easiest way to block websites on a Mac is with Screen Time, but you can also do it with third-party apps or even in Terminal. If you can't get to a website, check your Screen Time settings or try using a VPN or proxy to get around regional blocks.

Blocking and Unblocking in Screen Time

• If you’re using a pre-Ventura version of macOS, this will be called System Preferences.

• If you are using an older version of macOS (pre-Catalina), click Parental Controls instead. You may need to set up a new account with parental controls.

• If you have an older macOS version, click the lock icon in the lower left corner and enter your user password. Then click the user you want to restrict.
• Skip this step if you’re trying to restrict websites on your own account.

Click Content & Privacy . In Ventura and later, it’s in the main Screen Time window on the right. In older versions of macOS (Monterey and earlier), it's at the bottom of the sidebar menu to the left.

• If you want to disable all web and content restrictions, click the toggle switch or the Turn Off button to turn content restrictions off.

• On pre-Catalina versions of macOS, click the Web tab at the top of the Parental Controls menu.

• Alternatively, you can select Allowed Websites Only. This will block all websites except for the ones you allow.

Click Customize . This option will appear once you’ve selected either Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only. This allows you to customize what sites you want to allow and restrict.

• Alternatively, if you block all but allowed websites, you can enter the websites you want to allow by clicking the "+" button below the "Allow" box.

• If you want to remove a website from the restricted website, click the website you want to remove and click the "-" button below the box.

• In some versions of macOS, click OK instead.

• Add specific websites to the Allow box or remove them from the Restricted box to unblock them.
• Toggle off Content & Privacy in the main Content & Privacy menu of Screen Time to turn off all restrictions.

Unblocking with a VPN or Proxy

• If you prefer, you can set up your VPN manually.
• Once the VPN is set up, choose a server in a location where the website you’re trying to reach is unrestricted.

• Do a search for public web proxies.
• Select a proxy from the results. If it’s blocked, try another one.
• Paste the URL for the website you’re trying to access into the text box on the proxy site and select a region for your proxy server. Click Go.
• Just keep in mind that proxies aren’t as secure as VPNs, so it’s possible someone could see information you’re sending or receiving.

• In Firefox:
  • Click the ☰ menu in the top right corner of the browser and select Add-ons and themes.
  • Search for proxy or vpn in the search box next to Find more add-ons at the top of the page.
  • Install an add-on such as FoxyProxy Standard or Hoxx VPN Proxy.
  • Go to ⋮ > Extensions > Visit Chrome Web Store.
  • In the Search extensions and themes box, search for proxy or vpn.
  • Install an extension such as Proxy SwitchySharp or Urban VPN Proxy.

  

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  • With the Safari browser open, click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then select Settings…. Click the Advanced tab.
  • Next to “Proxies,” click Change Settings…. This will open your Mac’s proxy settings.
  • Toggle on the type of proxy you will be using (e.g., Secure web proxy) and enter the server and port information.
  • Click OK when you’re done.
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  Unblocking with Hacks and Workarounds

  

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  • Use the Internet Archive’s WayBack Machine to browse older versions of websites.
  • Enter the URL of the website into the Google search bar with “cache:” in front of it. For example: cache:https://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page .
  • Use a special bookmarklet: [3] X Research source
    • Create a bookmark in your favorite browser called “Google Cache.”
    • Paste the following code into the URL field: javascript:location.href='http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:'+document.location.href;
    • Go to a website and click this bookmarklet in your browser toolbar to view a cached version.

    

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    Use a URL shortener. This simple hack can sometimes trick your network into letting you visit blocked websites or domains. Feed the URL into a shortener such as Bitly or TinyURL. Paste the short URL into the address bar on your browser and try visiting the site that way.

    

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    • While this might help you get around blocks sometimes, just be careful—unsecured websites aren’t the safest to use, especially if you need to enter information about yourself to use the site.

    

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    • The PDF should save to the Downloads folder on your Mac by default, or it might open in your browser.
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    Blocking with Apps, Extensions, & Router Settings

    

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    • You can access the Google Chrome store at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions. You can access the Firefox extension store by typing "about:addons" in the address bar. You can download extensions for Safari in the App Store.
    • Some extensions you can use to block websites include "BlockSite," "Stay Focused," "Simple Blocker," and more.
    • Be careful of apps with low ratings or too few reviews to judge accurately. Untrustworthy extensions may install malware on your computer.
    • This will only block websites on the browser the extension is installed on.
    • Once the extension is installed, you can go into the settings and add or remove websites from your block list.

    

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    • Some of these apps block websites completely, while others allow you to block certain sites for a specific period of time.
    • You will be able to block and unblock websites from within the app.

    

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    • To find your IP address, go to System Settings (or Preferences) → Network → Wi-Fi. In Ventura or later, click Details… next to your network. You can find the router IP address in the main tab or in the TCP/IP tab.
      • For earlier versions of macOS, click Advanced, then click the TCP/IP tab.
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      Blocking Sites with the Hosts File

      

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      \n"> Open the Terminal application. To do so, click the

      

      • This method does not have a 100% success rate and is not too difficult to bypass. It's a quick way to block a website on your personal computer for productivity reasons. While not recommended as the only way to block other users' access, you can try it alongside another method for greater effect.

      

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      • To back up the host file, type sudo /bin/cp /etc/hosts /etc/hosts-original in the Terminal exactly as it appears. Then press Return.

      

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      Enter an administrator password. The Terminal should prompt you for your password. Type it in and press Return. You won’t see your cursor moving as you type in the password.

      

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      • Alternatively, you can edit the hosts file in the main Terminal window using the command sudo nano -e /etc/hosts .
      • Enter your administrator password again if prompted to do so.

      

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      • Don’t edit any other text that comes before this line.

      

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      \n"> Type 127.0.0.1 and press Tab ↹ . On your new line, type out 127.0.0.1 . Hit tab to create a space.

      

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      • Do not copy-paste from another document. This can introduce invisible characters that prevent the text from working.

      

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      • In theory, you can include multiple URLs on one line (entering the IP address only once), up to a maximum of 255 characters. [4] X Research source However, this may not work on all versions of macOS. [5] X Research source

      

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      • If editing in the main Terminal window, press Control + O to save, then Control + X to close the file.

      

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      • If you’re using Sonoma, Ventura, or Monterey, type or paste in the command sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder , then press return or enter.
      • For earlier versions of macOS, check out our guide to flushing your cache.
      • You may restart your computer instead to get the same effect. In many cases, the sites will be blocked even without this step.

      

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      • 127.0.0.1 (URL) without the "www"
      • 127.0.0.1 m.(URL) will usually block the mobile version of the site
      • 127.0.0.1 login.(URL) or apps.(URL) are a couple common variations of home pages. Visit the website and check your address bar for the exact variation.
      • Entering "fe80::1%lo0 (URL)" blocks IPv6 access to the site. Most sites do not automatically connect you via IPv6, but Facebook is a notable exception.
      • If none of these variations work, there is probably no hosts file workaround. Try one of the other block methods on this page.

      

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      • To undo all changes and restore from your backup, enter sudo nano /etc/hosts-original in Terminal. Press Control + O , delete the "-original" in the name, and confirm the save.
      • You can also add a # before the line containing the website you want to unblock to indicate that the line should not be read. That way, you can always keep the line and delete the # in case you want to easily block it again.
        • For example, you would write #127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com to unblock Facebook.
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        Expert Q&A

        How do I block a website on Safari? Yaffet Meshesha
        Computer Specialist

        Yaffet Meshesha is a Computer Specialist and the Founder of Techy, a full-service computer pickup, repair, and delivery service. With over eight years of experience, Yaffet specializes in computer repairs and technical support. Techy has been featured on TechCrunch and Time.

        Computer Specialist Expert Answer

        Each browser will have it's own security and privacy settings where you can add sites you want to block or unblock.

        Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
        Thank you for your feedback.
        If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

        How do I use Parental Control without needing access to an Administrator account? Community Answer This can't be done. An Administrator account is required to change Parental Control settings.

        Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
        Thank you for your feedback.
        If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

        Is there any way to do this without a password? Community Answer No. An Administrator account is required to change parental control settings.

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        Thank you for your feedback.
        If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

        Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Advertisement

        If websites are blocked in your region or by your internet service provider, you may be able to get around the blocks by installing a VPN on your Mac.

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