2.1
Block websites on iPhone
Choose between Screen Time restrictions and a Safari pause.
The deliberate reader
Block news websites.
Keep your choice.
A Safari website blocker for iPhone, iPad and Mac, with a little room for second thoughts.
BlockTheNews puts a six-second pause between you and 670 news domains. Decide why you want to read, then open the site for ten minutes. A familiar click becomes a deliberate decision.
Pro subscriptions: monthly or yearly. Safari · iOS 15.4+ · macOS 12.3+
How the news blocker works
A small boundary, right where you need it.
1.1
Choose what gets a pause.
670 news domains are preloaded. Add other websites to your block list, and put sources you rely on in your allow list. Make the boundary fit your reading.
1.2
Give the impulse six seconds.
When you open a blocked website in Safari, a pause replaces the page. Wait six seconds, then write why you want to visit. Your reason needs at least six characters and is never saved.
1.3
Read, then get back to your day.
Continue to give that website ten minutes of access. When the window ends, the pause returns. You can also leave at the pause without opening the news at all.
Choose your boundary
Do you need a pause or a firm restriction?
The useful blocker is the one that matches the problem. Start with how you arrive at the news and how much access you want to keep.
| Approach | What changes | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Turn off news notifications | Fewer alerts inviting you back. Websites remain available. | Headlines interrupt you before you choose to read. |
| BlockTheNews pause | Six seconds and a written reason before ten minutes of Safari access. | You open news automatically but want to keep intentional visits. |
| Website restrictions | Device controls or a dedicated blocker restrict access according to their settings. | You want a firmer limit, including on devices shared with children. |
For device restrictions, start with our guide to blocking websites on iPhone.
Your reading, your business
The reason you type is never saved.
Blocking decisions and browsing history stay on your device. Subscription checks use installation and platform information; payment providers handle purchases. Read the privacy policy for the full details.
Before you install
A few reasonable questions.
Does BlockTheNews permanently lock me out of the news?
No. It puts a six-second pause and a written reason before a blocked website. You can then open the site for ten minutes. Choose device restrictions or a dedicated lockout tool if you need a firmer boundary with no deliberate reading window.
Can I block websites beyond the preloaded news list?
Yes. You can add websites to your own block list. You can also allow a website you want to reach without a pause, so an essential local source can stay available.
Does it work in news apps or other browsers?
This app is a Safari extension for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Its pause applies to website visits in Safari. Native news apps, social feeds and other browsers need their own limits or notification settings.
Is BlockTheNews a paid app?
BlockTheNews Pro is offered through monthly and yearly subscriptions. Check the current pricing and subscription terms in the app before purchasing.
What happens to my browsing information and written reason?
Blocking decisions and browsing history stay on your device, and your written reason is never saved. Subscription checks send an installation identifier, extension version and platform to the subscription service. The privacy policy explains those details and how settings may sync through private iCloud storage.
Further reading, with an ending.
All guides2.2
Block websites on Safari
Find a practical boundary for browsing on your Apple devices.
2.3
How to stop doomscrolling
Change the habit around the headline, one small step at a time.
Let the news wait a moment
Make your next visit a choice.
Safari on iPhone and iPad with iOS 15.4 or later, and Mac with macOS 12.3 or later.
