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    How to Block Specific Websites on iPhone or iPad?

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    For organizational productivity, IT admins must know how to block specific websites on iPhones or iPads to restrict corporate-owned devices with content privacy restrictions for employees. Browsing distractive websites during work hours can cause employees to lose focus. At the same time, many websites are laden with malware that can harm corporate data and devices. Therefore, it’s imperative to block specific websites so that employees do not divert to unauthorized content or access harmful sites.

    How to Block Specific Websites on iPhone or iPad
    Blacklist websites on iPhone and iPad with Scalefusion

    In general, it makes sense to restrict the use of iOS devices, whether for personal or professional use. A personal reason might be children using iPhones and iPads for social media, YouTube, games, and movies. There can also be a fear of them browsing explicit content and adult websites. Also, professional reasons like accessing various job portals and inappropriate content apply for employees. To maintain productivity, employers have realized the importance of iPhone restrictions. As well as limiting unwanted websites and content of the iOS device. Scalefusion provides the solution to these challenges by its offering. ProSurf’s iOS Kiosk Browser, an alternative to Safari to block websites.

    Download the ProSurf iOS kiosk browser app and block unwanted websites. Restrict the usage to specific websites on iPhone or iPad.

    ProSurf browser also enables you to whitelist websites. A whitelist is a list of web pages that can be selected and allowed to access by employees with corporate devices. After whitelisting websites, you can access the website from the ProSurf browser and have a privacy restriction-based controlled browsing experience. In other words, you can block specific websites and their content on the iPhone or iPad.

    How to Control App Access and Privacy on iPhone

    To control app access and privacy on an iPhone, you can follow these steps:

    1. App Permissions:
      • Go to “Settings” on your iPhone.
      • Scroll down and select the specific app for which you want to manage permissions.
      • Toggle on or off the permissions such as Camera, Microphone, Location, Contacts, etc., according to your preferences.
    2. Privacy Settings:
      • In the “Settings” app, go to “Privacy.”
      • Here, you can find various categories like Location Services, Contacts, Calendars, Photos, etc.
      • Review and adjust the settings for each category to control which apps have access to specific data.
    3. App Store Privacy Labels:
      • When downloading apps from the App Store, pay attention to the privacy labels provided by developers.
      • These labels give insights into the data the app collects and how it is used.
    4. App Tracking Transparency:
      • With iOS 14.5 and later, Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency.
      • Apps now need explicit permission to track your activity across other apps and websites.
      • You can manage these settings in “Settings” under “Privacy” > “Tracking.”
    5. Limit Ad Tracking:
      • In “Settings,” go to “Privacy” > “Tracking.”
      • Enable “Limit Ad Tracking” to prevent advertisers from tracking your iPhone’s Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA).
    6. Screen Time:
      • Use the “Screen Time” feature in Settings to set app limits, content restrictions, and downtime.
      • This helps control your overall usage and can be useful for managing privacy.
    7. Restrictions:
      • In “Settings,” go to “Screen Time” > “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
      • Enable restrictions and customize settings to control app downloads, explicit content, and other privacy-related features.
    8. Manage App Subscriptions:
      • For privacy and financial control, review and manage your app subscriptions.
      • Go to “Settings” > [your name] > “Subscriptions” to view and modify subscription settings.

    By carefully adjusting these settings, you can enhance privacy and control the access that apps have to your personal data on your iPhone.

    How To Block Specific Websites on iPhone or iPad: A Step-by-Step Guide

    With the Scalefusion iOS kiosk browser, an IT admin can block websites on iPhones and iPads by following the step-by-step instructions below:

    Step 1

    Browse to www.scalefusion.com and click on login. You can sign in to your Scalefusion account through personal email ID, G-suite, or Office 365.

    Click on Enroll Devices located on the left-hand side of the dashboard and select the iPad or iPhone tab. Follow the enrollment method on screen and start managing your iOS devices virtually after configuring the device profiles to be pushed.

    Enrollment dashboard of iPad or iPhone in Scalefusion

    Step 2

    Launch ProSurf browser on your iOS device.

    ProSurf browser in iPhone

    Step 3

    Tap on the settings icon.

    Settings section in ProSurf App

    Step 4

    You will need to enter the passcode to access the settings. Input the default passcode ‘2323’ and tap on ok.

    Passcode to access ProSurf settings

    Step 5

    Among the list of settings, tap on Whitelist Websites. Herein, we will be adding the URL of websites you intend to whitelist and make accessible for the end-users.

    Whitelist website settings of ProSurf browser

    Step 6

    Click on Add (alternatively, you can also tap on the ‘+’ icon on the top right-hand side of the screen). This will redirect you to the next screen where you will input the URL to be Whitelisted. 

    Adding the websites to be whitelisted in ProSurf

    Step 7

    Choose the URL protocol on the top right-hand side of the screen. You can choose between ‘HTTP’ or ‘HTTPs’. Add the URL name and URL link on the ‘Name’ and ‘URL’ fields. Click on done.

    Adding the URL to be whitelisted in ProSurf with HTTP/HTTPs protocol

    Step 8

    Once done, one will only be able to access the Whitelisted website as shown below.

    Access to whitelisted website and all other URLs will be blocked

    N.B.– The following error message will prompt if any URL apart from the Whitelisted URL is entered on the browser to be accessed.

    Access denied to unauthorized website and only whitelisted website will be available to be accessed

    You’ve successfully blocked specific websites on your iPhone. The procedure is similar for iPads as well.

    Choose Scalefusion to Block Websites on iOS Devices

    Following the simple process mentioned above, organizations can easily block specific websites via the ProSurf Kiosk browser on iPhones & iPads. If you have a bulk of devices managed over the air from a single laptop or PC, then follow this link.

    For Android Phones or Tablets, See: How to Block Websites on Android Phones or Tablets.

    Speak to our experts and book a demo or start your 14-day free trial now!

    FAQs

    1. Why block websites on iPhone/iPad?

    Blocking websites on iPhone/iPad is done to control access to inappropriate content, enhance productivity, and ensure a safer online environment, especially for children or in professional settings.

    2. Is there a better way than Screen Time?

    It depends on your specific needs, but alternatives like Scalefusion MDM offer more robust features for device management compared to Screen Time.

    3. How to block specific sites?

    To block specific sites, you can use website-blocking features in your router settings, install a third-party parental control software, or use browser extensions/add-ons that offer site-blocking functionality. Otherwise, opt for an MDM solution like Scalefusion to block websites across device fleets.

    4. Can I set schedules for website access?

    Yes, Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions often allow you to set schedules for website access on devices. The schedule can be set from the MDM dashboard and applied to devices as per end-user needs.

    5. How to track website usage?

    To track website usage, use analytics tools like Google Analytics. Insert a tracking code into your website, and the tool will provide insights into visitor data, page views, demographics, and more.

    Nema Buch
    Nema Buch
    Nema Buch is a Research & Marketing professional, also writes for Scalefusion on Enterprise Mobility trends, SaaS, and different Industry Verticals.

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