Site blocking: how it works and how to fix it

Descreened blocks sites in every browser — Safari, Chrome, Brave, and in-app web views — using iOS's built-in content filtering. There's no VPN, and a blocked site shows Apple's own restriction page. The Safari extension is not what blocks; it counts your Safari time toward site limits.

If a blocked site still loads, check these:

Already-open tabs keep working

The filter stops new page loads, not pages already on screen. Refresh the tab or open a new one and the block kicks in. In Safari, the Descreened extension switches already-open tabs of newly blocked sites to a block screen for you.

The 49-site cap

iOS enforces up to 49 blocked sites at a time. If your list goes over 49, iOS silently stops enforcing the whole filter — so Descreened blocks nothing rather than pretend. You'll see a warning like "Your list has 52 sites … nothing's blocking right now. Remove 3 to start blocking again." Trim the list and blocking resumes.

Screen Time permission

Site blocking rides on the same Screen Time permission as app blocking. If the Restrict Settings sheet says "Screen Time permission needed to block sites," tap Open Settings and re-enable access. See apps aren't blocking for the full permission walkthrough.

A pause may be running

Opening the Safari Extension screen can pause site blocking for 2 minutes so you can flip extension switches. Blocking resumes on its own when the countdown ends. See Safari extension switches grayed out.

Tip: Blocking is per domain. If a service is reachable at more than one domain, add each one you actually use.