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There are a lot of pop-ups, video ads, offending, and phishing sites lurking on the web so knowing how to block websites on your android phone is crucial, especially if there are minors in your home or you are browsing in sensitive areas like your workplace.

Continuously seeing unnecessary marketing advertisements or offending websites is irritating. But the good news is, you can prevent these websites from popping or prohibit your children from accessing adult contents especially if you’re not looking.

There are different ways on how to block any website on Android. This article will show you 4 simple methods, you don’t need to be an Android geek.

Install Apps

Parents are probably the first to grab any website blocker they could lay their hands on just to make sure that their children are using the internet safely.

The fastest and easiest way to track and restrict your kid’s internet activity is to install website blockers. Below are several apps which are available on Google Playstore that you can download.

a. SPIN Safe Browser

SPIN is a great alternative to your traditional browser. It keeps Google, Bing, and Yahoo searches safe.

SPIN is free and is compatible with Android 4.1 or higher. This browser is integrated with internet filters which lets you track your children’s browsing history and blocks inappropriate contents.

Unlike traditional browsers, SPIN has no incognito mode. It requires nothing to configure and you don’t need to sign-up to use it.

b. BlockSite – Block Distracting Apps & Sites

If you want to regain your focus but doesn’t want to uninstall your social networking apps or you simply want your family members to stay away from malicious websites, BlockSite is a great app to use.

BlockSite is primarily designed for people who are always distracted by the digital world; individuals who cannot get their hands off social media. However, parents can also use this app to ensure that adult sites are blocked.

You can also sync this app between your mobile and your desktop by selecting Settings >> Sync BlockSite.

c. Parental Control & Kids GPS: Kaspersky SafeKids – USD12.99

Developed by Kaspersky Lab, this app was rated by PC mag as excellent. It offers a 14-day free trial which lets you block the access to mature apps, content, and suspicious searches. It will also let you set a screen time limit.

To use, install the app on your device using the Parent’s mode. Alternatively, install the same app on your child’s device and run it in Kids mode. Follow the instructions provided.

Browsers like Firefox or Opera does not block any website by default. Google Chrome, on the other hand, has a Safe Browsing option which protects your device from dangerous sites. However, you can install add-ons/extensions like Blocksite to these browsers to ensure that no malicious threats or unwanted websites are accessed.

Install a Firewall

There are a lot of websites that poses as potential information predators. Blocking them from accessing your smartphone through a firewall protects it from viruses and hackers.

The below firewalls can help you block websites without the need to root your phone/tablet.

a. NoRoot Firewall

As the name implies, NoRoot Firewall is the most trusted firewall without rooting your device. It filters websites based on IP address or domain name giving you full control over the connections.

To use:

Go to the Global Filters tab.
Tap on the New Pre-filter.

Type the domain name/website address on the Address tab.

On the Port tab, select *. Press OK

Tick the boxes beside the WiFi and Signal icons to make sure that these sites doesn’t access your phone if you are connected to either WiFi or mobile data.

Go back to Home and press Start.

Related: Best Android Ad Blockers

b. NetGuard – No-root firewall

NetGuard denies and allows specific applications and websites from accessing your data and/or WiFi connection.

To use:

Launch the app.

Enable Netguard and confirm the VPN connection.

Select the apps or the browser that you want to restrict.

c. Mobiwol: NoRoot Firewall

Mobiwol is another firewall app that doesn’t require rooting. It is automatically launched at start-up to make sure that your smartphone is protected all-throughout. Mobiwol uses the same technology from the VPN packing module but no VPN connection being made. So, if you ever notice that it seems like it is using a VPN connection, Mobiwol guarantees that it’s artificial.

To use:

Launch the app.
Confirm the VPN connection. You will see a prompt on your notifications that Mobiwol is active.

On the Main Menu, turn on the Firewall Status

Select Firewall Rules. Select the app you want to block. You can either/both block them from the WiFi or mobile data.

Install an Anti Virus

Another effective way to block certain websites if you are running an android phone is through installing an anti-virus app. One of the leading anti-virus apps is called Mobile Security by Trend Micro. It has more than 1 million downloads and has a rating of 4.6 stars in the Playstore.

There are 2 ways to get maximum security using Mobile Security by Trend Micro. One is through Safe Surfing and the other is through Parental Controls.

To use Safe Surfing (USD 20/year):

Download and launch the app.
Scroll through the Safe Surfing option and turn it on.

To use Parental Controls (USD 20/year):

Download and launch the app.
Scroll through the Parental Controls option and turn it on. You can also add websites manually

Editing Host files

Probably the most complicated way to block websites on an Android device is by editing the host files. Why? Because you need to root your android device first. Else, this will not work.

Be very careful in rooting your device because you could either brick your phone or some features might not be able to function.

There are certain apps that you can use to edit the host files of your phone. ES File Explorer is a free app that lets you effectively restrict the websites your android device.

To use:

Launch the app.

Tap on the Menu Icon

On the Local Menu, tap on Device

Tap on the Etc Folder.

Scroll on Hosts folder and open it as Text.

Select ES Note Editor

Tap on the pencil icon, add a new line with the following syntax: ‘127.0.0.1[website url]’

The Best Method

When it comes down to it, we all want not only the simplest way to block unwanted websites. Rather, we look for the most effective ways to do it.

Out of the methods enumerated above, which one are you likely to use? Have you tried using any of the these? What are the other effective ways/applications that you know?