How to Block Facebook Website and App on Windows, Mac, and Mobile

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Stop yourself or others from accessing Facebook on your devices

Written by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Windows or Mac
|
• iPhone/iPad
|
• Android
|
• Blocking Users/Pages
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

Are you spending too much time on Facebook whenever you use your computer or phone? Or do you want to restrict your child from using social media? Whether you’re trying to keep yourself or your child off Facebook, there are several ways to block both the website and the mobile app. In this article, we’ll explain how to block Facebook on your computer, iPhone, iPad, or Android device. We’ll also cover how to block users or pages on Facebook.

Easy Ways to Block Facebook

The simplest way to block Facebook on your computer is with a browser extension, such as Block Site or StayFocusd. You can also use a site-blocking app like Cold Turkey or Freedom. On mobile, use built-in features like Screen Time on iPhone or a third-party blocking app.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Blocking Facebook on Windows or Mac

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1. 
   1
   Install a site-blocking browser extension. If browsing Facebook is eating up all your time, blocking it with an extension is a simple solution. There are lots of site-blocking extensions, but they all work basically the same way. Install the extension, click the extensions/add-ons icon in your browser toolbar, and hover over the site blocking extension. Select Settings, Options, or similar. Add Facebook to the list of sites you want to block.

   • For example, if you’re using Block Site in Firefox, click the puzzle piece in your toolbar to open a list of add-ons, hover over Block Site, click the gear, then select Options. Under the Add a Rule header, enter www.facebook.com and click Add.
     • You can also enter specific dates/times when you want Facebook unblocked (e.g., on evenings or weekends) under the Schedule Unblocking header.
   • Unfortunately, there are not many options for Safari on a Mac. You can try an extension like Redirect Web (available from the App Store on Mac). With this extension, if you try to visit Facebook (or any other website you’ve set to redirect), Safari will automatically redirect you to another website of your choice.
   • Some popular Facebook-blocking extensions include LeechBlock (Firefox, Chrome, Edge), Block Site (Firefox, Chrome, Edge), FocusGuard (Firefox, Chrome, Edge), StayFocusd (Chrome, Edge), and uBlock Origin (Firefox).
   • Learn how to install extensions in Firefox, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge.
2. 
   2
   Try a productivity app. These apps tend to have more features than browser extensions, offering a more customizable and comprehensive blocking experience. While most of these apps are paid, some offer a free trial or a more limited free version.

   • Cold Turkey is one of the most popular blocking/productivity apps, and it's available for both PC and Mac. While the full version costs a one-time fee of $45, there is a free version that may serve your purposes if all you want to do is block Facebook. You can block the entire Facebook domain, or just specific URLs (like a Facebook profile you don’t want to see while you’re working). Set a schedule or a timer if you don’t want to keep Facebook blocked all the time.
   • Freedom is similar to Cold Turkey and is also available for Windows or Mac. While there’s no free version, there is a free trial. You can choose between a monthly or yearly subscription, or pay a one-time fee for permanent access. You can block websites like Facebook completely, set daily limits, or give yourself a mandatory “pause” before opening the site.
   • The App Store on Mac also offers a couple of website blocking apps that have both free and paid versions. Some well-rated options include 1Focus - App & Website Blocker and Jomo - Screen Time Blocker.
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3. 
   3
   Set up router parental controls. Your router may come with parental controls that allow you to block or limit specific websites. To get started, log into your router by visiting its IP address in a web browser and entering the username and password (usually admin and admin by default, but you can check by looking at the sticker on the side of your router). From there:

   • Look for a section in your router’s page called “Parental Controls,” “Family Wi-Fi,” or something similar.
   • Look for a text field where you can enter domains or pages you want to block, and add www.facebook.com.
   • Many routers will give you the option to schedule specific times when websites are allowed or blocked.
   • Firewalla and Asus routers have a good reputation for strong parental control options.
4. 
   4
   Block Facebook in your hosts file. This option lets you totally block Facebook on one computer without blocking it on your entire Wi-Fi network. This process gets a little more technical than the other methods described here, but it’s not as intimidating as it sounds.

   • Windows:
     • While logged into your PC with an administrator account, open the Start menu and type in notepad. Right-click Notepad in the results and select Run as administrator. Click Yes if you see a pop-up asking if you want to allow the app to make changes to your computer.
     • Go to File > Open and enter %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc\hosts in the address bar at the top of the File Explorer window.
     • Select All Files in the drop-down menu at the bottom right corner of the window.
     • Double-click the hosts file, or select it and click Open.
     • Place your cursor at the end of the last line in the document, then press Enter.
     • Type in 127.0.0.1, press Tab, and type in www.facebook.com.
     • Repeat this process with the urls facebook.com (no “www”) and m.facebook.com.
     • Click File > Save and close Notepad to save your changes.
   • Mac:
     • While logged into an administrator account on your Mac, open Terminal. It’s in Applications > Utilities.
     • Enter the command sudo nano -e /etc/hosts and press Return. Enter your Mac’s password when prompted and press Return again.
     • Use your arrow keys to navigate to the bottom of the hosts file.
     • Type in 127.0.0.1 and press Tab, then enter facebook.com and press Return.
     • Repeat this process with the URLs www.facebook.com and m.facebook.com.
     • Press Ctrl + O to save your changes, then quit Terminal and restart your Mac.
5. 
   5
   Set limits in Screen Time (Mac only). Apple’s built-in parental and productivity controls offer additional options for keeping your kids off Facebook and other time-wasting sites. Since it’s easy to disable, this might not be the best solution if you’re trying to limit your own time on Facebook.

   • Click the
     
     Apple menu icon at the top right corner of the screen and select System Settings.
   • Scroll down and click Screen Time in the left-hand menu bar.
   • If you manage a family group, click the Family Member pop-up menu and select your child from the list. If you’re just managing your own device, skip this step.
   • Click Content & Privacy. It’s under the Restrictions header.
   • Toggle on Content & Privacy at the top of the menu.
   • Click App Store, Media, Web, & Games. A new menu will open.
   • In the drop-down next to Access to Web Content, select Limit Adult Websites.
   • Click Customize.
   • Under the Restricted header, click the + button. Add www.facebook.com and any other websites or domains you want to restrict.
   • If this setting accidentally restricts any websites you want access to, you can add them by clicking + under the Allowed header.
   • Click Done to save your changes.
   • If you haven’t already set a Screen Time passcode, click the toggle next to Lock Screen Time Settings in the main Screen Time menu to do so. This will prevent other people who use your Mac and linked devices from making changes without your permission.
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Section 2 of 4:

Blocking Facebook on iPhone/iPad

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1. 
   1
   Use Screen Time to set limits on the Facebook app. Your iPhone or iPad’s built-in parental controls allow you to set limits on when the Facebook app is available. You can also block family members from installing the Facebook app by setting restrictions on app store downloads and app age limits.

   • Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time.
   • To set limits on when Facebook is available:
     • Tap App Limits > Add Limit.
     • Tap Social in the list of app categories, then select Facebook.
     • Tap Next.
     • Set the amount of time that Facebook will be available each day (e.g., 1 hour).
     • You can also tap Customize Days to set different limits on different days of the week.
     • Tap the checkmark icon in the top right corner to confirm.
   • To completely block the Facebook app on your iPhone or iPad:
     • Scroll down in the Screen Time menu and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
     • Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions on.
     • Tap App Store, Media, Web, & Games > Apps.
     • Set Age Rating to 9+. This will hide all apps that are rated for an audience older than 9+, including Facebook.
     • Alternatively, if Facebook isn’t installed on your iPhone or iPad, you can prevent it from being installed by going to Content & Privacy Restrictions > App Installations & Purchases and setting everything under App Installations to Don’t Allow.
     • If you haven’t already done so, set a Screen Time passcode to prevent anyone from changing your settings without permission. In the main Screen Time menu, tap Lock Screen Time Settings and enter your desired passcode.
2. 
   2
   Block the Facebook website in Screen Time. In addition to blocking or hiding the Facebook app in Screen Time, you can also restrict access to the website.

   • Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and make sure Content & Privacy Restrictions is toggled on.
   • Tap App Store, Media, Web, & Games.
   • Tap Web Content and select Limit Adult websites.
   • Under Never Allow, tap Add Website. Enter www.facebook.com in the URL field, then tap the checkmark icon.
     • If you’re concerned about accidentally blocking a website you want access to, you can add it to the Always Allow list from this same menu.
3. 
   3
   Try a third-party app for additional blocking options. If Screen Time’s restrictions aren’t working for you, there are several third-party apps available that can block the Facebook app and website. A few highly rated options available in the app store include AppBlock, Refocus, Opal, and ScreenZen.

   • Most of these apps are free to download, but you may need to pay a fee to access all the features you want.
   • Apps like these tend to offer a variety of restriction levels, from completely blocking an app or website to making you pause for a few minutes or solve a puzzle to open it.
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Section 3 of 4:

Blocking Facebook on Android

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1. 
   1
   Block the Facebook app on your child’s device in Family Link. If you have Family Link set up on your Android phone or tablet, you can use it to block the Facebook app. Install Google’s Family Link app if you haven’t done so already. Once you’ve set up your account:

   • Select your child in the Family Link app, then go to Screen time > Time limits > App limits.
   • Select Facebook and tap the Allowed toggle. Its status should switch to Blocked.
   • Tap Done.
2. 
   2
   Block the Facebook website in Family Link. You can also block the Facebook website from the Family Link app. To do so:

   • Select your child’s name and tap Controls > Google Chrome and Web.
   • Under the Manage sites header, select Blocked sites.
   • Tap Add a website.
   • Enter facebook.com. You can also add variants, like www.facebook.com and m.facebook.com, to ensure that Facebook is completely blocked.
3. 
   3
   Use a third-party tool for additional blocking options. If you’re hoping to block Facebook for yourself rather than your child, a third-party focus or productivity app might be a better bet. Most of these apps offer flexible options, such as scheduled blocks of an app or website, total blocks, or partial restrictions (such as an enforced pause before you open the app). Some popular app and website blocking options for Android include AppBlock, BlockSite, and RescueTime.
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Section 4 of 4:

Blocking a Facebook User or Page

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1. 
   1
   Facebook for the web If you’re trying to block a specific Facebook user or page rather than the entire website or app, you can do so easily from within Facebook. To block someone on your computer:

   • Click your profile picture at the top right side of the screen.
   • Select Settings & privacy > Settings.
   • Click Audience and visibility > Blocking.
   • Click Edit in the Block profiles and pages section.
   • Click Add to blocked list.
   • Type in the name of the person or page you want to block.
   • Click Block > Confirm.
   • You can also click the ••• icon at the bottom right corner of the person's or page’s cover photo and select Block.
2. 
   2
   Facebook mobile app To block someone in the Facebook app:

   • Tap ☰ at either the top right or bottom right side of the screen, depending on whether you’re on Android or iOS.
   • Tap Settings & privacy > Settings.
   • Tap Audience and visibility > Blocking.
   • Tap Add to blocked list.
   • Type in the name of the person or page you want to block and select them from the search results.
   • Click Block > Block.
   • You can also tap the ••• icon at the bottom right corner of the person's or page’s cover photo and select Block.
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  How do I block Facebook on an Android device?

  

  Community Answer

  Download AppLock. You set up a PIN for access.

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Warnings

• When using Terminal or editing the "hosts" file in general, do not delete any information that is present in the original file. Doing so may permanently damage your computer's operating system.
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