How to Block Apps on Your Child’s Phone (Android and iPhone, 2026)

Here is how to block apps on your child’s phone in a few minutes. On Android, open Google Family Link, pick your child, and block or approve each app under Controls and Apps. On iPhone, open Screen Time, turn on Content and Privacy Restrictions, and use App Limits and content ratings to stop apps you do not want. Both tools are free and built into the phone.

Last updated: October 2026

A clear note first. This guide is for parents and guardians who set rules on their own child’s phone. It is not about blocking apps on a phone that belongs to another adult. Talk to your child about what you block and why, so the rule feels fair and clear.

How we check facts. We use the official help pages from Google and Apple for every step below. We do not claim hands-on testing of paid apps. Some links on this site may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

Why do parents block apps on a child’s phone?

Parents block apps for three main reasons. Some apps are made for adults, with content that is not safe for kids. Some apps waste a lot of time, such as endless games or short video feeds. Others let strangers send messages to your child.

Blocking an app is stronger than a time limit. A limit lets a child use an app for a short time, then stops it. A block removes the app from daily use until you allow it again. Use blocks for apps that are not age fit, and use limits for apps that are fine in small amounts.

Start with a short list. Block only the apps that worry you most, and review the list each month. If you block too much at once, your child will look for ways around the rules. Our roundup of the best parental control apps shows when a paid tool adds more control than the free tools.

How do you block apps on Android with Family Link?

Google Family Link lets you block apps that are already on the phone and approve new ones before they install. Your child needs a supervised Google Account, and you manage it from Family Link on your own phone. The child can see that supervision is on, so nothing is hidden.

Block an app that is already installed

Open Family Link and pick your child. Tap Controls, then App limits or Apps, and open the app list. Pick the app you want to stop and choose Block. The app icon stays visible in some views, but your child cannot open it. You can unblock it later from the same screen.

You can also set a time limit instead of a full block on the same screen. Many parents block social apps on school days and allow them with a limit on weekends. Pick the option that fits the app and your child age. For the full account setup, read our Android parental controls guide.

Approve or block new app downloads

Open Family Link, pick your child, and tap Controls, then Content restrictions, then Google Play. Turn on approval for purchases and downloads, and set it for all content or only paid content. When your child asks for a new app, you get a request and you can approve or deny it.

In Google Play settings you can also set a maturity level for apps and games. Pick the age rating that fits your child. Apps above that level will not show as normal results for download. This works best when you also keep download approval on.

How do you block apps on iPhone with Screen Time?

Apple Screen Time gives you two ways to stop apps. App Limits set a daily time for app groups or single apps. Content and Privacy Restrictions set ratings and can stop the App Store, the browser, and adult content. Use both for a firm but fair setup.

Content restrictions and allowed apps

On your iPhone, go to Settings, then Family, then your child name, then Screen Time. Tap Content and Privacy Restrictions and turn it on. Tap Allowed Apps to hide built in apps you do not want, such as the camera or mail, and tap Content Restrictions to set age ratings for apps, films, and web content.

Set a Screen Time passcode that only you know. Without it, your child can change the settings back. Our iPhone Screen Time setup guide walks through each screen. It also shows how to manage the settings from your own phone, so you do not need to take the child phone each time.

App limits for apps you do not want to block fully

Tap App Limits and Add Limit when an app is fine for a short time. Pick the app or group, set the time, and tap Add. When time ends, the app stops until the next day, unless you approve more time. This is a good fit for games and video apps.

For a full stop on iPhone, use the content rating and the Allowed Apps list together. You can also delete the app and block new installs, as the next part shows. This gives a clear block for apps that are not age fit at all.

How do you block new downloads on both phones?

Blocking new downloads stops the most common bypass. On Android, keep Family Link download approval on in Google Play. Your child sends a request, and no new app installs until you say yes. Check the request with your child and talk about the app before you decide.

On iPhone, go to Content and Privacy Restrictions, then iTunes and App Store Purchases. Set Installing Apps to Do Not Allow. You can also set Deleting Apps to Do Not Allow, so a child cannot remove an app to hide its use. Keep the Screen Time passcode private.

Review the app list once a month. Kids find new apps through friends fast. A short review keeps your block list current and gives you a reason to talk. See our guide on monitoring your child phone safely for how to run these reviews without turning them into a fight.

What about browsers and app store loopholes?

A child can use a browser to open web versions of apps you blocked. On Android, block the browser app you do not want, or set it to a strict time limit, and keep Chrome filters on in Family Link. On iPhone, set Web Content to Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only for young kids.

App stores are the other gap. A second app store or a web download can add apps outside your approval flow. Keep install from unknown sources off on Android, and keep Installing Apps blocked on iPhone when your child is young. For teens, download approval is a fair middle step.

Games can also open chat and video inside the game. Check the game settings too, not only the phone settings. Turn off open chat for young kids where the game allows it. This is one area where our screen time limits guide helps, because a time limit lowers exposure even when you cannot block every feature.

Which blocking method should you pick?

Use the table to pick the right method for your phone and goal. All four methods below are free. Paid parental apps add reports and alerts, but the block itself comes from these tools in most homes.

For most families, start with the free row for your phone type. Add a paid tool only if you need one dashboard for many devices or more detailed reports. Our list of free parental control apps shows what free tiers really include before you pay.

What workarounds do kids use, and what are the honest limits?

Kids are smart, so be honest about the limits. Common tricks include using a web version of an app, borrowing a friend phone, or making a second account. Some teens search for ways to turn off supervision. On Android, a teen over the age Google sets for their country can choose to stop supervision, and you get a notice. On iPhone, a child who learns the Screen Time passcode can change settings.

Tools lower risk, but they do not remove it. Keep the passcode and your parent account safe, and update the phone system when updates arrive. Most of all, keep talking. A child who understands the reason for a block is less likely to hunt for a way around it.

If your child finds a gap, stay calm and close it together. Ask how they found it and what app they wanted to use. Sometimes the talk leads to a fair change, like allowing an app with a time limit. Trust and tools work best together.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions parents ask us most about blocking apps.