Your iPhone is packed with apps, and not all of them deserve real estate on your device. Maybe you’re trying to cut screen time. Maybe you want to keep your kids from downloading sketchy games. Maybe you just need to lock down your phone before handing it to someone else. Whatever your reason, knowing how to block apps on iPhone is one of those skills that saves you headaches down the road.
The good news? Apple built multiple ways to restrict app access right into iOS. You don’t need jailbreaks, sketchy third-party tools, or a degree in computer science. We’re talking about built-in features that actually work.
In this guide, we’ll walk through every legitimate method to block apps on iPhone—from Screen Time restrictions to hiding apps entirely. We’ll cover the differences between each approach, when to use them, and how to troubleshoot when things don’t go as planned.
Using Screen Time to Block Apps on iPhone
Screen Time is Apple’s main weapon for controlling app access. It’s been the go-to since iOS 12, and honestly, it’s solid. Think of it like putting a velvet rope around certain apps—they’re still on your phone, but they’re blocked until you decide otherwise.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Open Settings on your iPhone
- Tap Screen Time
- Tap App Limits
- Select Add Limit
- Choose the category or individual app you want to restrict
- Set your time limit (you can set it to just 1 minute if you want to basically block it)
- Tap Add
Once the time limit is reached, the app gets blocked. You’ll see a message saying “Time Limit Reached” and you can either request more time or ignore the notification.
Pro Tip: If you want to block an app completely without relying on time limits, set the limit to 1 minute. It’s technically still accessible after you request more time, but it creates a friction point that works surprisingly well for breaking habits.
The real power of Screen Time is that it works across all your Apple devices if you use Family Sharing. Block TikTok on your iPhone, and it’s blocked on your iPad too (if you’ve set it up that way).
One thing to know: if you set a Screen Time passcode, you’ll need that passcode to change your limits. Write it down somewhere safe—if you forget it, you’re looking at a factory reset to regain control.
Setting App Limits and Downtime
App Limits and Downtime are cousins in the Screen Time family, but they work differently. Downtime is like a “do not disturb” period for your entire phone (except calls from favorites). App Limits target specific apps or categories.
To set Downtime:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Tap Downtime
- Toggle it On
- Set your start and end times
- Choose which days this applies to
During Downtime, only phone calls, messages, and apps you’ve marked as “Always Allowed” will work. Everything else shows a lock screen. It’s aggressive, but it works.
The difference between App Limits and Downtime comes down to control. App Limits let you be surgical—block just Instagram while allowing Maps. Downtime is more of a sledgehammer approach. For blocking apps on iPhone, App Limits give you more flexibility.
Here’s a real-world scenario: you want to block social media apps between 9 PM and 8 AM, but you need Maps and Messages available. Set up Downtime for those hours, then add Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to your App Limits with a 1-minute daily cap. When Downtime hits, those apps are already blocked anyway, but during the day, they’re still restricted.
Hiding Apps from Your Home Screen
Sometimes the best way to block an app is to make it invisible. Hiding apps doesn’t delete them or prevent installation—it just removes them from your home screen and app library visibility. It’s perfect for apps you occasionally need but don’t want staring at you every day.
To hide an app on iPhone:
- Press and hold the app icon on your home screen
- Tap Remove App
- Select Remove from Home Screen (not “Delete App”—that removes it completely)
- Tap Remove
The app stays installed but disappears from your home screen. You can still find it by searching Spotlight (swipe down from the top), but it’s out of sight and out of mind.
This method pairs well with turning off active status on Instagram or other privacy tweaks if you’re trying to reduce your social media presence. It’s not a hard block—you can still access the app if you search for it—but it removes the temptation.
If you want to go further and hide apps from the App Library entirely, you’ll need to use Screen Time restrictions (covered below).
Using Restrictions and Parental Controls
This is where things get serious. If you’re setting up parental controls for a child’s device or you want to completely lock down your own phone, Restrictions (sometimes called Content & Privacy Restrictions) is your tool.
To set up Restrictions:
- Open Settings
- Tap Screen Time
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions on
- You’ll be asked to create a Screen Time passcode (different from your regular passcode)
- Scroll down to Allowed Apps
- Toggle off any apps you want to block
Once you toggle an app off in Allowed Apps, it becomes completely inaccessible. The app won’t appear on the home screen, in search, or in the App Library. It’s gone from a user perspective.
This is different from hiding apps because it’s enforced by your Screen Time passcode. Without that passcode, the app stays blocked. Someone can’t just search for it and open it.
Safety Warning: If you’re using this on a child’s device, they can’t bypass it without your passcode. If you’re using it on your own device and you forget the passcode, you’ll need to do a factory reset. Apple doesn’t have a backdoor for this. So seriously—remember your passcode or write it down in a secure place.
For families, this is where understanding how to hide text messages on iPhone becomes relevant too. You might want to block certain messaging apps while allowing others, depending on your family’s needs.
Offloading Apps Without Deleting Them
Offloading is Apple’s middle ground. It removes the app from your phone but keeps its data intact. When you reinstall it, all your settings and data are still there. It’s useful if you want to free up space or temporarily disable an app without losing your progress.
To offload an app:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Find the app you want to offload
- Tap it
- Tap Offload App
- Confirm by tapping Offload App again
The app icon stays on your home screen with a cloud icon, but the app itself is removed. If someone tries to open it, they’ll get a prompt to reinstall it from the App Store. For blocking apps on iPhone, this works if you want to prevent accidental access while keeping the option to reinstall later.
The downside? It’s not password-protected. Anyone can tap the icon and reinstall the app instantly. So it’s more about managing your own behavior than truly restricting access.
Password-Protecting App Installations
If you want to prevent anyone (including yourself, in weak moments) from downloading or reinstalling apps, you can require a password for app installations. This works through your Apple ID settings.
Here’s how:
- Open Settings
- Tap your name at the top
- Tap Media & Purchases
- Tap Password Settings
- Toggle on Require Password (or set it to “Always Require”)
Now whenever someone tries to install, update, or reinstall an app, they’ll need to enter your Apple ID password. It’s not a hard block on specific apps, but it creates friction that prevents impulse app downloads.
This pairs well with the other methods. You could hide an app, offload it, and require a password for reinstallation. That’s three layers of friction.
Permanently Deleting Apps
Sometimes the nuclear option is the right option. If you really don’t need an app and you want it gone completely, delete it.
To delete an app:
- Press and hold the app icon
- Tap Remove App
- Select Delete App
- Confirm by tapping Delete
The app is gone. All its data is gone. If you ever want it back, you’ll need to reinstall it from the App Store (and you can password-protect that step, as mentioned above).
This is the most straightforward way to block an app, but it’s also the most permanent. Use it for apps you’re absolutely certain you don’t want.
For managing your digital life more broadly, you might also want to check out how to record phone calls on iPhone or forward calls on iPhone if you’re consolidating communication tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block an app without the person knowing?
– Yes, if you use Screen Time restrictions with a passcode that only you know. The app will be blocked from view and inaccessible without the passcode. However, if someone has physical access to your phone and knows your Screen Time passcode, they can unblock it. For true security, you’d need to delete the app entirely or offload it and require a password for reinstallation.
What’s the difference between hiding an app and blocking it?
– Hiding removes an app from your home screen and app library, but you can still find it via Spotlight search and open it. Blocking (via Screen Time or Content & Privacy Restrictions) prevents the app from being accessed at all without a passcode. Hiding is about reducing temptation; blocking is about enforcing a rule.
If I set a Screen Time passcode and forget it, can Apple reset it?
– No. Apple doesn’t have a way to reset a forgotten Screen Time passcode. Your only option is to do a factory reset of your iPhone using iCloud or a computer. This is why it’s critical to remember or write down your passcode.
Can my child bypass app restrictions?
– If you’ve used Content & Privacy Restrictions with a passcode, no—they can’t bypass it without the passcode. However, they could potentially factory reset the phone if they know your Apple ID and password. So keep those credentials secure and consider enabling two-factor authentication on your Apple ID.
Does blocking an app on iPhone also block it on iPad?
– If you use Family Sharing and set up restrictions through Screen Time, yes—they sync across all your devices. But if you’re just hiding an app or deleting it, it only affects that specific device.
What happens to my data if I offload an app?
– Your data stays on your iPhone. When you reinstall the app, everything comes back. The app itself is removed, but the data associated with it (settings, documents, etc.) is preserved.
Can I block apps on someone else’s iPhone?
– Only if they’re part of your Family Sharing group and you have parental controls enabled on their device. Otherwise, you don’t have access to their phone’s settings. If you’re trying to monitor a child’s device, set up Family Sharing and use Screen Time from your own device to manage their restrictions.
Is there a way to block apps without using Screen Time?
– Partially. You can hide apps from the home screen, delete them entirely, or offload them. But for true blocking (where the app is inaccessible without a passcode), Screen Time is your only built-in option. Third-party MDM (Mobile Device Management) solutions exist for enterprise, but for personal use, Screen Time is it.
Why would I block an app instead of just deleting it?
– Because you might want it back later, or you might want to allow access under certain conditions (like during specific hours or after completing a task). Blocking gives you flexibility. Deletion is permanent until you reinstall from the App Store.
Can I set different restrictions for different times of day?
– Yes, using Downtime. You can set Downtime to run from, say, 9 PM to 8 AM, and during those hours, most apps are blocked. During the day, they’re accessible (unless you’ve also set App Limits). You can customize which days Downtime applies to as well.
Wrapping Up: Choose Your Method Based on Your Goal
Blocking apps on iPhone comes down to what you’re trying to achieve. Here’s a quick decision tree:
- Reduce temptation but keep access? Hide the app or set a 1-minute App Limit.
- Block access during specific hours? Use Downtime or App Limits with a schedule.
- Completely prevent access without your passcode? Use Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Free up space but preserve data? Offload the app.
- Never want to see it again? Delete it permanently.
- Prevent anyone from downloading apps? Require a password for App Store purchases.
Most people benefit from combining methods. For example, you could hide an app, set a 1-minute daily limit on it, and require a password to reinstall it. That’s three layers of friction that work together.
Remember: Screen Time is powerful, but it requires a passcode to manage. If you’re setting it up for yourself, write that passcode down somewhere safe (not on your phone). If you’re setting it up for a child, keep it secure and don’t share it.
And if you’re managing multiple devices, check out how to check if iPhone is unlocked or turn off iPad to get a full picture of device management.
The goal isn’t to turn your iPhone into a prison. It’s to use the tools Apple built in to align your device with your actual goals. Whether that’s reducing screen time, protecting your kids, or just removing clutter—you’ve got options. Choose what works for you and stick with it.
