How to Block Websites on Chrome Browser on Android.
Sometimes it is difficult to control yourself. It takes a lot of discipline to be productive, and it’s too easy to make mistakes and distractions at times. Browsing random sites in Chrome is a great way to do nothing. However, this set of handy Android apps will help boost your productivity by helping you block websites on Chrome, restrict access to apps, turn off Incognito Mode, and more.
Now, if you have a rooted Android phone, you can use any of the host file editing apps to block any website, including the Chrome browser. But most people don’t have root access, so we have different workarounds for them depending on the requirements.
Read on to find out how to block websites in the Chrome browser on Android.
1. Blocking the site
For: Users who want to block specific websites in Chrome
The name tells you everything you need to know: Block site blocks access to both websites and applications. The website blocking feature works in all browsers including Chrome. Block Site has a website blacklist feature like FocusMe. This allows you to visit websites that you do not want to provide access to and prevents access only to those.
The way this app works without root access is pretty ingenious, after you install the app you must give it permission to access it. The Block Site function then monitors every website you visit, and an overlay is superimposed on top of it when blocked sites are found.
Block Site also has a scheduling feature built in. You can set the blocking time for the website and app, as well as the timeout. Customizable work mode allows you to set up blocking of websites during work hours. However, blocking a site is not always a good thing. Most importantly, it lacks protection against deletion. This makes it easier to delete if you suddenly get it wrong.
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Pros
- Blacklisting apps and websites means you can customize restrictions.
- Adult Site Blocker blocks all adult sites for added convenience.
Cons
- Missing delete protection
Set site blocking (Android)
2. Qustodio Suite
For: Parents who want to control and restrict their children’s use of mobile websites
Qustodio is a game with the word “keeper” and that’s exactly what it means: a keeper of your kids’ internet use. Qustodio offers a subscription-based premium package that can be installed on various devices and platforms, but the Android app itself is free.
The free Qustodio app for Android is a great option if you just want to block or restrict your kids from using Chrome. The Qustodio app lets you use the Qustodio adult content filter – it automatically filters out sexually explicit content, gambling and other problem areas, so you don’t have to worry about what your child is exposed to.
The Qustodio filter works even in incognito mode.
It uses device administrator rights to prevent deletion, making it very difficult for your child to bypass. The free Qustodio app also lets you track and limit usage. You can set a time frame outside of which access to websites will be restricted. You can also check usage statistics – which websites your kids visit and how long they have been using certain sites.
The Premium package is cross-platform and offers a range of additional features. First, you can install it on almost any platform, from iOS to Windows, other than Android. It also has location tracking, call and text monitoring, and app usage monitoring among other features.
Pros
- Free version allows you to block and control the use of Chrome.
- Device administrator rights provide protection against deletion.
Cons:
- The free version only offers protection on one Android device.
Install Qustodio (Android </em
3. Disable incognito mode
Who’s for: Users who want to turn off Incognito Mode and use an account to reduce access to problem sites.
We are big fans of custom solutions. Disable Incognito Mode (as the name suggests) does not block websites in Chrome. However, it solves the same basic problem – it prevents users from visiting sites they don’t want to tell you about. By disabling Incognito Mode, the app forces users to browse using standard history-tracking tabs.
What makes Disable Incognito Mode great is that it’s easy to use: you just open the app, click on the app’s settings, and turn it on.
Then it will automatically close all incognito tabs that you try to open.
However, disabling Incognito Mode has some drawbacks: while it is intended to make your browsing history visible, users can always clear their browsing history to hide activity. In addition, it does not use device administrator rights, so there is no protection against deletion. This makes it better as a personal discipline tool rather than a control tool for who you are in charge of.
Read:Â How to Set Parental Controls on Popular Video Streaming Sites
Plus, Incoquito is another handy app that lets you turn off Incognito Mode, but it’s much more complicated than Turn Off Incognito Mode. Incoquito also lets you track usage even when incognito mode is enabled. It also allows you to block access to incognito mode on YouTube and several other browsers besides Chrome. It is indeed more functional than Disable Incognito Mode. However, it costs $ 1.60 and, frankly, making such a simple feature a paid option doesn’t seem reasonable.
Pros
- Very simple. Two taps to disable incognito mode.
- Can make the user more accountable and reduce the use of problem sites.
Cons
- Lack of protection against deletion
- Users can always delete their browsing history
Set Disable Incognito Mode (Android)
4. FocusMe
For: users looking for a universal limiter, including Chrome blocking
It’s a personal favorite of mine and a tool I regularly use to stay focused and productive. FocusMe was not created as a website blocker per se, but as a general usage limiter for all your devices. Simply put, it won’t block a specific website in your Chrome browser, but will automatically close the Chrome browser as soon as you open it.
FocusMe lets you select any application on your phone and control how it is used. This includes Chrome, of course. You can set various usage restrictions. You can set a maximum amount of time per day for use, or simply block all access for a specific period of time.
In terms of website blocking, FocusMe allows you to block websites globally using a whitelist or blacklist. If you use the blacklist setting, the blacklisted sites will not be available in Chrome or any other browser. If you use the whitelist setting, only whitelisted sites will be available.
There are also whitelists and blacklists for apps and they work the same way. I would also like to highlight FocusMe’s excellent after-sales support. The app is maintained by one developer, but when I ran into a major bug, they even took the time to personally use Teamviewer to solve the problem.
Pros
- Free version of Android includes all features except uninstall protection.
- Can be used to whitelist and blacklist sites according to your usage preferences.
- Blocks sites in all browsers, not only Android
Cons
- The subscription required to protect against deletion on Android.
- An annual price of $ 29.99 can be quite expensive.
Install Focus Me (Android </em
5. PornAway (root only)
For: users who especially want to restrict access to adult content
PornAway is a modified version of the Adaway app (an app that blocks ads on your Android). However, PornAway is designed to block porn sites instead of ads. The best part about this app is that PornAway blocks adult content from all over your Andriod. However, you will need root access to use PornAway.
Also Read:Â How to Block Websites on Chrome Browser on Android
Also, if you are not rooted, you can try “Manage SPIN” – filter my Chrome. This app has a free version and a paid subscription. Oddly enough, the free version blocks all browsers except Chrome. You must pay for a premium subscription to enable Chrome blocking. However, paid subscribers have access to a granular management solution – although the limiter for adult content cannot be changed, you can change the extent to which other content such as gambling and violence is displayed.
Pros
- Free
- Works with every application
- Blocks all kinds of porn
Cons
- Require root access
- By default does not block other browsers, which should be
Install PornAway (Android)
How to block websites on Android Chrome
Each of these apps has advantages and disadvantages, and each is better suited to a different target audience. If you need a versatile self-discipline kit, FocusMe will serve you best – it doesn’t just block websites. It gives you granular control to restrict access to apps and other content on your phone. However, this can be quite expensive. If you want an easy way to be more responsible to yourself, Turn Off Incognito Mode does what it says on the label and forces you to use the standard browsing tabs. Importantly, it lacks protection against deletion, making it more of a self-discipline tool than a dedicated website blocker. If you are a parent, Qustodio provides you with a solution to block access to websites and track your kids’ Internet browsing habits. The free version only works on one device, so you’re out of luck if your child has a spare tablet. If you are interested in blocking websites, most likely you are also interested in security. Check out our list of the best security apps here.
How to Block Websites on Chrome Browser on Android