The Chrome browser offers access to the wealth of human knowledge with just a single click. Unfortunately, on the other hand, it provides a way to access harmful content to your children. In this scenario, you can use website blockers to prevent them from accessing harmful content like social media or adult sites. Fortunately, there are other easier ways to block any website on Chrome on your Mac computer running the latest macOS. We have covered all ways, so continue reading the article.
5 Assured Ways to Block Any Website on Chrome on Mac
Here are five different ways to block any website on Chrome on Mac. But before that, let’s understand how blocking websites on Chrome works.
How does blocking websites in Chrome work?
To block websites in Chrome on Mac, you can use different ways, for instance, extensions, screen time, and terminal. Blocking websites in Chrome works by preventing the Chrome browser from loading the blocked domain. Doing so will efficiently enhance your productivity by reducing the distraction.
Way #1. Using the Screen Time
Screen Time is a feature that allows users to control their Mac usage. It can be used to restrict particular apps and websites as well. The process for this is pretty straightforward using Screen Time. Here is how you can block websites in Chrome on Mac using Screen Time.
Step 1: Click on the Apple Menu located at the top left corner of the Mac screen. Choose System Settings… from the prompted menu.
Step 2: Click on Screen Time from the left pane. Select Content & Privacy.
Step 3: Now, Enable Content & Privacy toggle > Content Restriction from the right side.
Step 4: After this, select the drop-down next to the Access to Web Content.
Step 5: Choose Limit to Adult Website. Click on Customize Button and add the URL.
At last, to save changes, click on Done Button.
That’s It!
Way #2. Using the Terminal
If you aren’t a fan of Screen Time as easiest way to block websites in Chrome on Mac, then another way to block websites is by modifying the host file within Terminal. However, it may seem to be a complicated way, but in reality, it’s pretty straightforward once you get habitual to it.
One of the most significant advantages of blocking the host file rather than using the specific extension or plugin is that this method remains valid across all the browsers installed in your macOS. Further, using Screen Time or Terminal makes it harder for a child to undo the changes you have made. To do so, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Press Command + Space to access Spotlight Search. Enter Terminal and click on it to open.
Step 2: First of all, we’ll be backing up the host file first. This lets the users restore the original file in case something goes wrong. To do so, enter the below-mentioned line of code within Terminal and then press the Return Button.
- sudo /bin/cp /etc/hosts /etc/hosts-original
Step 3: Jot down the administrator name and password, and then press the Return Button. Remember that the cursor won’t move from the position as enter the password.
Step 4: After the completion, enter the command mentioned below and press the Return Button on Mac keyboard. This will access the host file.
- sudo nano -e /etc/hosts
Step 5: Take the help of the arrow button of the line. Enter 127.0.0.1 and the website address you’re willing to block—for instance, YouTube.
- 127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com
Step 6: Enter each website in a separate command line. Once you’re finished, press Control + O and then Return Button. After this, press Control + X to exit the file. Step 7: Jot down the below-mentioned command to clear the cache, which will make these changes across all the browsers installed on your Mac. Then press the Return Button to initiate the command.
- sudo dscacheutil -flushcach
Step 7: Now, after this, when you block the website in the Chrome browser, you’ll receive a message saying that you cannot connect.
Way #3. Using Safe Search
Are you looking for a way to block the content on your specific account? Safe search is one of the efficient ways for such a task. This feature is pre-installed in the Google search and designed to block the explicit content on the Chrome browser. To enable it, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Access the Google Chrome on your Mac. After this, navigate to www.google.com/preferences.
Step 2: Then, click on Privacy & Safety from the left pane.
Step 3: Go to SafeSearch on the right side. Step 4: At last, select the box next to the Filters.
That’s It!
Way #4. Use Chrome Extensions
As we all know, blocking websites on Chrome requires an extension. The best part of Chrome you can find the extension via Web Store. Here’s how you can do so.
Step 1: Open the Google Chrome on your Mac.
Step 2: From the main screen, open the “Apps Icon,” or you can directly visit Web Store Tab. Step 3: Make sure the extensions are chosen.
Step 4: Enter Block Site in the search field.
Step 5: Select the blocker you’re willing to add. In this procedure, we have selected Block Site.
Step 6: From there, click on “Add to Chrome.”
Step 7: Within the resulting pop-up, select Add Extension. Then, you have to agree to Block Site in the window.
Jot down the URL of website you want to block, then click on the Plus Icon. Remember, you can add as many as a website you want.
Way #5. Block the Website in Incognito Mode
Private browsing, also known as Incognito Mode, has been one of the popular ways as it leaves traces of all browsing activity. It’s one of the efficient ways to prevent certain websites and ads from collecting your private cookies and further targeting you. If that is what you want, great!
To access incognito mode on Google Chrome: Access Chrome App > More Icon (Three Vertical Dots) > New Incognito Window.
Bonus Tip: How to Block Website on Chrome Via iPhone
On iPhone, you can’t directly block the websites in Chrome Browser. However, you can enable the built-in screen time feature on your iPhone. Remember, you must have same Apple ID on Mac & iPhone to block website on Chrome.
Note: Ensure you have Apple ID across Apple peripherals. Further, you must turn on Share Across Devices to imply same screen time settings across Apple Peripheral.
Step 1: First, ensure you have the same Apple ID on iPhone and Mac.
Step 2: Then, turn share across devices; for that, go to the Settings App on your iPhone. Select Screen Time. After this, scroll down and enable toggle next to Share Across Devices.
Step 3: On the same screen, tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Step 4: Next, hit toggle next to Content & Privacy Restrictions to enable.
Step 5: Then, go to Content Restrictions.
Step 6: After this, select Web Content from Web Content Menu.
Step 7: Select Limit Adult Websites.
Step 8: In the never-allow section, hit on Add Website.
Step 9: To restrict the website, enter the URL.
Tap Done.
Final Verdict!
That’s mate! That’s how you can easily block the website in Chrome on Mac. All the methods mentioned above are easy to execute. Which one did you prefer? Do let us know in the comment box below.
How do I block a website on Mac Chrome without an extension?
There are different ways to block websites in Chrome on Mac without using an extension. For instance, you can go with Screen Time. It can block multiple websites on Chrome, and the procedure for this is pretty straightforward. We have covered it in the above article.
How do I block certain websites on Mac?
Your Mac includes a built-in search called Screen Time invoked in the System Settings… The feature is designed to block certain websites you want your kid to visit.
Go to the Apple Menu > System Settings… > Screen Time > Content & Privacy > enable toggle next to the Content & Privacy, then select Content Restrictions. From the drop-down menu, select Limit Adult Websites > Customize > Now add the URL of website > Done.
How to block websites on Chrome?
There are a variety of extensions available to block websites on Chrome. For that, you can navigate to the Google Web Store and jot down Block Site within search field. Install and activate it on your Chrome.
