---
title: "How to Block Apps on iPhone: Guides for 17 Apps (iOS 27)"
description: "Block apps on iPhone with Screen Time Time Allowances (iOS 27) or App Limits (iOS 26) and a passcode, plus guides for 17 apps with their own limits and websites."
url: https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/block-apps
lang: en-gb
published: 2026-10-31
updated: 2026-10-31
author: "VaultForYou Editorial Team"
publisher: VaultForYou
---

# How to block apps on iPhone, app by app

> Screen Time blocks any app the same way. Many apps also have their own limits or parental controls, and most have a website that needs blocking too.

Published 2026-10-31 - Updated 2026-10-31 - By VaultForYou Editorial Team - Checked against iOS 27 - 31 Oct 2026

## Quick answer

On iOS 27, go to Settings -> Screen Time -> Time Allowances, make a category for the app and set the lowest time. On iOS 26, use App Limits. Then set a Screen Time passcode so nobody can change it. It takes about 2 minutes. Built-in apps like Camera are blocked under Content & Privacy Restrictions instead.

- **Guides:** 17 app-specific guides.
- **Works on:** Any recent iOS (paths differ on iOS 26).

On iOS 27, go to Settings -> Screen Time -> Time Allowances, make a category for the app and set the lowest time. On iOS 26, use App Limits. Then set a Screen Time passcode so nobody can change it. It takes about 2 minutes. Built-in apps like Camera are blocked under Content & Privacy Restrictions instead.

Below: the method that works for every app, then a table of 44 apps with a guide for each one that has something of its own to hide, lock or limit. We checked every step against Apple's iOS 27 documentation and each app's help pages in October 2026.

## The method that works for every app

1. **Open Time Allowances** Go to Settings -> Screen Time -> Time Allowances.
2. **Make a category for the app** Tap Manage Categories, tap the add button, and create a category that contains only the app.
3. **Set the allowance** Tap the new category and drag the slider to the lowest daily time.
4. **Set a Screen Time passcode** Go to Settings -> Screen Time -> Passcode & Management -> Lock Screen Time Settings and enter a four-digit passcode twice.

## Block apps: all 44 apps

| App | Category | Own limits | Website | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messages | Messaging | Communication Safety | -- | [Messages privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/messages) |
| WhatsApp | Messaging | Parent-managed accounts | whatsapp.com | [How to block WhatsApp on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/whatsapp) |
| Facebook Messenger | Messaging | Supervision (Meta Family Center) | messenger.com | [How to block Facebook Messenger on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/messenger) |
| Signal | Messaging | -- | signal.org | [Signal privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/signal) |
| Telegram | Messaging | -- | telegram.org | [Telegram privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/telegram) |
| LINE | Messaging | -- | line.me | [LINE privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/line) |
| Viber | Messaging | -- | viber.com | [Viber privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/viber) |
| WeChat | Messaging | Guardian Mode | wechat.com | [How to block WeChat on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/wechat) |
| YouTube | Social | Remind me to take a break | youtube.com | [How to block YouTube on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/youtube) |
| Instagram | Social | Daily time limit | instagram.com | [How to block Instagram on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/instagram) |
| Snapchat | Social | Family Center | snapchat.com | [How to block Snapchat on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/snapchat) |
| TikTok | Social | Daily screen time | tiktok.com | [How to block TikTok on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/tiktok) |
| Facebook | Social | Your time on Facebook | facebook.com | [How to block Facebook on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/facebook) |
| Reddit | Social | -- | reddit.com | [Reddit privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/reddit) |
| Discord | Social | Family Center | discord.com | [How to block Discord on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/discord) |
| X (Twitter) | Social | -- | x.com | [X (Twitter) privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/x) |
| Pinterest | Social | Parental passcode | pinterest.com | [How to block Pinterest on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/pinterest) |
| Threads | Social | -- | threads.com | [Threads privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/threads) |
| Tinder | Dating | -- | tinder.com | [Tinder privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/tinder) |
| Bumble | Dating | Snooze Mode | bumble.com | [How to block Bumble on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/bumble) |
| Grindr | Dating | -- | grindr.com | [Grindr privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/grindr) |
| Hinge | Dating | Pause | hinge.co | [How to block Hinge on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/hinge) |
| Amazon Shopping | Shopping | -- | amazon.com | [Amazon Shopping privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/amazon) |
| Google Chrome | Browsers & search | -- | -- | [Google Chrome privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/chrome) |
| Brave | Browsers & search | -- | brave.com | [Brave privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/brave) |
| DuckDuckGo | Browsers & search | -- | duckduckgo.com | [DuckDuckGo privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/duckduckgo) |
| Firefox | Browsers & search | -- | mozilla.org | [Firefox privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/firefox) |
| Google | Browsers & search | SafeSearch | google.com | [How to block Google on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/google) |
| Photos | Apple apps | -- | -- | [Photos privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/photos) |
| Safari | Apple apps | -- | -- | [Safari privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/safari) |
| Notes | Apple apps | -- | -- | [Notes privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/notes) |
| Camera | Apple apps | Screen Time restriction | -- | [How to block Camera on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/camera) |
| Files | Apple apps | -- | -- | [Files privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/files) |
| FaceTime | Apple apps | -- | -- | [FaceTime privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/facetime) |
| Health | Apple apps | -- | -- | [Health privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/health) |
| Mail | Apple apps | -- | -- | [Mail privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/mail) |
| Gmail | Email & cloud | -- | mail.google.com | [Gmail privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/gmail) |
| Google Photos | Email & cloud | -- | photos.google.com | [Google Photos privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/google-photos) |
| Dropbox | Email & cloud | -- | dropbox.com | [Dropbox privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/dropbox) |
| Google Drive | Email & cloud | -- | drive.google.com | [Google Drive privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/google-drive) |
| Roblox | Entertainment | Screen time limit | roblox.com | [How to block Roblox on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/roblox) |
| Netflix | Entertainment | Maturity rating | netflix.com | [How to block Netflix on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/netflix) |
| Spotify | Entertainment | Allow Explicit Content | spotify.com | [How to block Spotify on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/spotify) |
| Life360 | Location | -- | life360.com | [Life360 privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/life360) |

### Messaging

- [How to block WhatsApp on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/whatsapp)
- [How to block Facebook Messenger on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/messenger)
- [How to block WeChat on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/wechat)

### Social

- [How to block YouTube on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/youtube)
- [How to block Instagram on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/instagram)
- [How to block Snapchat on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/snapchat)
- [How to block TikTok on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/tiktok)
- [How to block Facebook on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/facebook)
- [How to block Discord on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/discord)
- [How to block Pinterest on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/pinterest)

### Dating

- [How to block Bumble on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/bumble)
- [How to block Hinge on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/hinge)

### Browsers & search

- [How to block Google on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/google)

### Apple apps

- [How to block Camera on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/camera)

### Entertainment

- [How to block Roblox on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/roblox)
- [How to block Netflix on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/netflix)
- [How to block Spotify on iPhone](/en-gb/block-apps/spotify)

> **Keep them out of Photos entirely.** VaultForYou opens only with a pattern you draw. [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/vaultforyou/id0000000000)

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I block an app on my iPhone?

Use Screen Time. On iOS 27, set a Time Allowance for a category that contains the app. On iOS 26, set an App Limit. Then add a Screen Time passcode so the limit cannot be changed without it. Built-in features like Camera are switched off under Content and Privacy Restrictions.

### What happened to App Limits in iOS 27?

Apple replaced App Limits with Time Allowances in iOS 27. You set a daily time for a category, such as Social Media or Games, or for a category you create. Downtime became Screen Time Schedule. On iOS 26 and earlier, App Limits and Downtime work as before.

### Does blocking an app also block its website?

Apple says a Time Allowance also applies to a website the app declares as its own. For other sites, block them for a child from Settings, Family, or on iOS 26 under Web Content, Never Allow. Other browsers may need restricting too.

### Can my child get around a blocked app?

Not easily, if you set the limit from your own iPhone through Family Sharing and use a Screen Time passcode they do not know. Children can still ask for more time, and you approve or decline the request. A website version or another browser is the usual gap.

### Does blocking an app delete it?

No. A Time Allowance, App Limit or restriction only stops the app from opening. The app and its data stay on the iPhone. Remove the limit to use it again.

## Bottom line

The iOS method above works for most apps in seconds. The guides add what each app can do on its own, which is where the real differences are.

## Sources

- [Apple Support: Lock or hide an app on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/lock-or-hide-an-app-iph00f208d05/ios)
- [Apple Personal Safety User Guide: Lock or hide apps on your iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/personal-safety/ipsd0be4c185/web)
- [Apple Support: Set schedules and Time Allowances on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-schedules-and-time-allowances-iphb0c7313c9/ios)
- [Apple Support: Create, change, or remove a Screen Time passcode on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/create-change-remove-a-screen-time-passcode-iph272b4c4bd/ios)

## Related hubs

- [Hide apps on iPhone](https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/hide-apps)
- [Lock apps on iPhone](https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/lock-apps)
- [Hide photos on iPhone](https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/hide-photos)
- [Privacy settings for every app](https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/apps)

---

Our guides are written and fact-checked by the VaultForYou team against Apple's own documentation. We make VaultForYou, a private vault app for iPhone. Download on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/vaultforyou/id0000000000