A Complete Guide on How to Block Websites on Chrome

While Google Chrome does not offer a direct “block website” button, you can still restrict access using built-in tools available on different platforms. Below are some of the most effective methods for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

1. How to Block Websites on Chrome on Windows 

Windows offers multiple ways to block websites on Google Chrome, ranging from simple built-in methods to advanced browser policy configurations. While methods like the hosts file can help block websites locally, configurations such as ADMX policies and URLBlocklist provide more granular control. However, most of these approaches require manual configuration, administrative access, and ongoing maintenance, making them difficult to scale across multiple devices.

• Blocking Websites on Chrome on Windows Using Hosts File

Windows allows you to block websites on Chrome using the built-in hosts file. Hosts file is a system file that can be used to map hostnames to IP addresses. It works by redirecting a website’s domain to a non-existent or loopback IP address.

• Open Notepad as Administrator
  Click the Start button and search for Notepad. Right-click on it and select Run as administrator (this is required to save changes).
• Open the Hosts File
  In Notepad, go to File > Open
  Navigate to:
  C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\
  Change the file type to All Files (*.*) and open the file named hosts
• Add Websites to Block

Scroll to the bottom of the file and add type 127.0.0.1 followed by a space, then the website's domain (eg 127.0.0.1 www.example.com).

• Save the file and Restart Chrome
• Blocking Websites on Chrome on Windows Using ADMX Configuration

Google Chrome provides a powerful way to manage web access through Group Policy using ADMX templates. One of the most commonly used policies for this purpose is URLBlocklist.

The URLBlocklist policy allows administrators to block access to specific websites or URL patterns in Google Chrome. Once configured, Chrome will prevent users from loading any URLs that match the defined patterns.

• If the policy is not configured, no websites are blocked.
• Administrators can define multiple URL patterns.

1. Open Group Policy Editor
   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Google → Google Chrome

• Locate the policy:
  "Block access to a list of URLs"
• Enable the policy.
• Add the URLs or patterns you want to block
• Click OK, then Apply and OK to save the policy
• Run gpupdate /force or restart the device to apply the changes
• Restart Google Chrome and verify that the specified websites are blocked

If you prefer direct registry configuration, use the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist

Each blocked URL is added as a numbered string value.

Example:

Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist\1 = example.com

Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist\2 = https://ssl.server.com

Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist\3 = hosting.com/bad_path

Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist\4 = https://server:8080/path

Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist\5 = .exact.hostname.com

Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist\6 = file://*

Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist\7 = custom_scheme:*

Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist\8 = *

Here’s what each example does:

• example.com → Blocks all traffic to that domain
• https://ssl.server.com → Blocks a specific secure site
• hosting.com/bad_path → Blocks a specific path
• https://server:8080/path → Blocks based on port and path
• .exact.hostname.com → Matches only that exact hostname
• file://* → Blocks local file access
• custom_scheme:* → Blocks custom protocols
• * → Blocks all URLs (use carefully!)

2. How to Block Websites on Chrome on macOS and iOS

Apple devices provide multiple ways to restrict website access on Google Chrome using built-in controls and browser policy configurations. Users can block websites using Screen Time for basic restrictions. Though plist-based policy configurations may provide deeper browser controls, they involve multiple manual steps making them difficult to manage at scale.

• Blocking Websites on Chrome on macOS and iOS Using Screen Time 

For Apple devices, users can leverage a built-in tool called Screen Time. Apple Screen Time allows setting app limits, downtime schedules, and content restrictions, with data syncable across all devices via the same Apple ID. It is heavily used for parental controls and personal digital health.

• Open Screen Time

Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) on your Mac and open Screen Time.

• Enable App & Website Activity

Select App & Website Activity and click Turn On App & Website Activity.

• Open App Limits

Once enabled, additional settings will appear. Navigate to App Limits.

• Add Website Restrictions

Scroll down to Websites and click Add Websites.

• Add Websites to Block

Enter the websites you want to block on Chrome.

• Set Time Limit to Zero

Set the allowed usage time to 0 hours and 0 minutes to completely block access to the websites.

The settings apply across other App Limits and website restrictions as well. The users with administrator privileges can bypass the restriction by selecting options such as Ignore Limit for Today.

• Blocking Websites on Chrome Using Plist File

Chrome browser configuration on macOS can be managed using a Plist file deployed as a mobileconfig profile.

However, this approach requires significant manual effort and often depends on third-party tools for creating the configuration profile.

IT administrators need to:

• Manually create the configuration profile
• Deploy the mobileconfig file to devices
• Install and manage the profile on each device

This process can become time-consuming and difficult to scale across multiple devices.

Google Chrome on macOS also supports website blocking through policy configuration. Organizations can manage browsing restrictions using the URLBlocklist policy.

On macOS, the policy is configured using the following preference key:

URL Blocklist

Below is an example of how the URLBlocklist policy is defined in XML format for macOS:

URLBlocklist

example.com

https://ssl.server.com

hosting.com/bad_path

https://server:8080/path

.exact.hostname.com

file://*

custom_scheme:*

*

Android users can restrict website access on Google Chrome using Google Family Link. It provides basic parental control capabilities such as content restrictions, approved website access, and browsing filters.

• Blocking Websites on Chrome Using Google Family Link

For Android users, blocking websites on Chrome can be done by using Google Family Link.

Step-by Step Guide on How to Block Websites on Chrome

• Open Family Link

Launch the Family Link app on your device

• Select Your Child’s Account

Tap on your child’s profile to manage their settings

• Go to Chrome Restrictions

Navigate to Controls > Content restrictions > Chrome

• Choose a Browsing Setting
• Allow all sites

No restrictions—your child can access any website.

• Try to block explicit sites

Automatically filters adult or inappropriate content, though some sites may still get through.

• Only allow approved sites

The strictest option—only websites you manually approve will be accessible.

• Manage Specific Websites

If you choose a restricted mode, you can manually allow or block specific websites for better control.

While these built-in methods work well for individual users, organizations managing hundreds or thousands of devices require a more centralized and scalable approach.

Although platform-level restrictions are effective for individual users, enterprises require centralized control mechanisms to enforce consistent web access policies across all managed devices.That's where SureMDM enters. With SureMDM, admins can lock devices to access only business approved websites. Users cannot access any website that is not allowed by the admin. That’s not it, admins can also track the website usage data for more efficient data driven analysis.

Here is how it is done on

1. Windows:

Blocked Websites feature allows admins to block users from accessing specific websites.

Step-by Step Guide on How to Restrict Websites on Chrome Using SureLock

• Open SureLock and go to Settings.
• Navigate to Browser Settings and enable Allow All Websites.
• Note: This will enable the “Block Websites” option in settings.
• Open Block Websites and click Add URL.
• Select the URL type (http / https / file).
• Enter the website URL and a display name.
• Click Add to save.
• Repeat the process to block additional websites.

Click here to know more on how to restrict websites on Chrome using SureLock

Another way of restricting URLs on Chrome is via Browser Management. This is how it can be done in your SureMDM console:

• Navigate to SureMDM Web Console > Profiles > Windows > Add > Browser Management > Configure.
• Enter a profile name.
• Select and configure supported browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox.
• List down the URLs to be allowed or blocked 
• Save the browser settings and apply the profile to Windows devices or groups.
• Use Custom ADMX payload for unsupported browser version settings.

2.  macOS:

The Push Custom Payload job allows admins to remotely deploy custom payloads to enrolled macOS devices or MacBooks, enabling tailored configurations and device-specific changes based on organizational requirements. Admins can upload the plist file configuration and push into devices with just a few clicks.

Step-by Step Guide on How to Restrict Websites on Chrome Using Custom Payload for MacBook

1. Navigate to Jobs > New Job > iOS > Push Custom Payload on the SureMDM Web Console.

• Enter the Job Name and add the payload in the Command box.
• Enable User Profile if the payload should apply to the user profile instead of the device profile.
• Alternatively, import a .mobileconfig file using the Import option.
• Save the job.
• Go to the Home tab and select the macOS device(s) or group(s).
• Click Apply, select the created job, and click OK.

This setup ensures the selected URLs are blocked across all managed macOS devices under the applied profile.

Click here to know more on how to restrict websites on Chrome using Custom Payload for MacBook.

• Always include full URLs starting with https:// or http://
• Add separate entries for both versions if needed
• Redirected URLs must also be added manually
• Supported OS: macOS 10.15 or later
• Supported enrollment: Device Enrollment & Automated Device Enrollment

3. iOS

The Web Content Filter feature in SureMDM helps administrators control and restrict web access on supervised iOS and iPadOS devices (iPhones/iPads) by blocking specific URLs through policy enforcement.

Step-by Step Guide on How to Restrict Websites on Chrome on Managed iOS Devices:

1. Go to SureMDM Web Console → Profiles → iOS/iPadOS → Add

• Select Enrollment Type → Security → Web Content Filter
• Click Configure → Blocklisted URLs → Add
• Enter the URL(s) you want to block and click Add
• The URL will appear under the Blocklisted URLs section
• Enter a Profile Name and click Save
• The profile will be listed in the Profiles section
• Go to the Home tab and select iOS/iPadOS device(s) or group(s)
• Click Apply to open the Apply Job/Profile prompt
• Select the created profile under All Jobs/Profiles
• Click Apply to enforce the policy

Click here to know more on how to restrict websites on Chrome on managed iOS devices.

This configuration ensures that the specified websites are blocked across all managed iOS/iPadOS devices where the profile is applied.

Note:

• Supported OS: iOS 7.0 and iPadOS 7.0 or later
• Supported Enrollment Types:
  • Device Enrollment and Automated Device Enrollment
• Shared iPad Enrollment

4. Android

On Android devices, blocking websites on Chrome can be achieved via managed App Configurations.

• Go to SureMDM Web Console → Profiles →Android 
• Select New Profile → Application Policy → App Management
• Select Play for Work → Search and Select Google Chrome App → Click select
• In Managed Configuration pop up → Configure Allow access and block access URLs
• Save the Profile and deploy onto devices

Note: Supported only for apps that allow Managed App Configuration..

5. SureAccess:

Admins can use 42Gears’ built-in Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution, SureAccess, to block specific URL categories across devices. Categories such as Gambling, Adult Content, Violence, and other high-risk websites can be restricted to create a safer and more controlled browsing environment. Centralized URL filtering also helps IT teams maintain compliance standards while ensuring a consistent and secure browsing experience across all managed endpoints.

Blocking websites on Chrome is not limited to a single method or device. Depending on your needs, you can use system-level tools like the hosts file on Windows, Screen Time on Apple devices, or Google Family Link on Android to control and manage online access effectively. These built-in options are especially useful for parents, students, and professionals looking to reduce distractions and improve digital safety.

For organizations managing multiple devices, manual methods may not be practical. In such cases, enterprise mobility solutions like SureMDM offer centralized control, allowing administrators to enforce browsing policies, restrict access to non-approved websites, and monitor usage across all devices efficiently.

You can block websites on Chrome using built-in tools such as the hosts file on Windows, Screen Time on Apple devices, Google Family Link on Android, or browser policies like URLBlocklist. Organizations can also use SureMDM to centrally manage website restrictions across multiple devices.

Yes. Chrome users can restrict websites using native operating system features like the Windows hosts file, Screen Time on macOS and iOS, or Google Family Link on Android. Enterprises can use SureMDM for centralized management.

URL Blocklist is a Chrome policy that allows administrators to block access to specific websites or URL patterns. It can be configured through Group Policy on Windows or policy files on macOS to enforce browsing restrictions across managed devices.

Businesses can use SureMDM to deploy browser policies, block unauthorized websites, manage approved URLs, and enforce consistent browsing rules across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices.

Yes. Using SureAccess, admins can restrict entire categories of websites, such as gambling, adult content, or malicious websites, helping improve security and maintain compliance.

Yes. Restricting access to non-work-related or distracting websites helps employees stay focused, reduces time spent on unauthorized sites, and improves overall productivity while enhancing organizational security.

Yes. With SureMDM, admins can remotely configure browser restrictions, update website blocklists, deploy policies, and monitor compliance across managed Chrome devices without requiring physical access.