Now that most news websites or personal blogs have mobile, desktop, browser, etc. notifications enabled (not counting the newsletter) block websites on android it becomes a much appreciated knowledge.
There may also be other reasons why block a web page in google chrome: as inappropriate, false or directly worthless content. The procedure to block a page or website is very similar among all browsers, however in this article we will take Google Chrome as an example (only because it is the most used worldwide).
The content of this article comes from Google's official support for these cases where a website becomes a nuisance. In the same way, they teach you how to block pop-ups or pop-up windows in Chrome (another type of notification that websites can use).
How to block web pages on Android
Considering that the browser installed on the system is Google Chrome, I am sorry to inform that there is no native method to block a website in android.
Contrary to the desktop version of Chrome, on phones it is not possible to access the section where access to a specific website is restricted, in the same way that extensions cannot be installed in the application.
To solve this problem you can do two things: use an app called BlockSite, specialized in blocking access to a certain web page or switching to the safe mode of the default browser for Android, leaving aside Chrome. Next we will develop these options:
How to block websites on Android with BlockSite
The BlockSite app can completely block access to internet content on domains you specify. It can be downloaded for free from the Play Store and, for the purpose of this article, it will not be necessary to pay for a subscription to its premium version.
If you decide to use this app to block web pages on Android, you just have to follow these steps:
- Unlock your device.
- Open the app from the Play Store and type BlockSite in the application search engine.
- After completing the installation, when you open it for the first time it will ask you for the permissions it needs to fulfill its function.
- Below you will see a list of categories about websites that you can block instantly.
- In case you want to block a specific web page, you can paste the url in the text field that appears at the top of the app.
- After saving the configuration, all the pages that are added to the "black list" will be blocked. To do the test, try to enter some web page that you just entered in the list of this application, you will notice that you cannot view the content.
Among the advantages offered by this application for its Premium users (completely optional to the main function of blocking pages) is the following:
- Prevention when uninstalling the BlockSite application.
- Possibility to configure a redirection for websites after accessing a specific url.
- Ability to unlock previously blocked websites, using a customizable password.
- Specify image blocking for web pages that are blocked on BlockSite's blacklist.
Enable safe browsing on Android
Because the default browser on most Android devices doesn't allow you to block web pages, Google has enabled an option that may replace this aforementioned feature. Is about a “safe mode” that warns you (and temporarily stops access) of websites that could be dangerous to hackers, sensitive content, etc.
To enable safe mode just do the following:
- Unlock the device.
- Open the Chrome app.
- Tap the three vertical dots icon in the top right.
- Choose the "Settings" option.
- Enter the section called “Privacy and security”.
- After this, tap on the “Safe Browsing” option.
- Once inside this screen, you can choose between the protection modes offered by Chrome, I recommend the improved one.
Modify hosts file to block web pages on any version of Android
A universal file used by all operating systems is one called "hosts", it is special for block access to a web page by specifying its domain. However, we must bear in mind that to carry out this configuration, you must have root access on the Android device, if we have it ready we can continue.
The steps to be carried out are the following:
- Download a file manager on the Play Store.
- Once installed, open the app and select the device's internal storage (to view its folders and files).
- Touch the menu at the top right and enable the display of hidden files or folders.
- Now go into the “etc” folder.
- Among the list of files, locate the one called “hosts”.
- Open it with a note app or one that is capable of editing text, there is usually one installed by default on Android devices.
- Once this file has been opened, navigate to the end of the document and add a line with the following: 127.0.0.1 (the domain to be blocked is placed in the parentheses), for example: 127.0.0.1 (www. website.com).
- Save the changes and exit the file so that you can test in the Chrome browser or any other that you have installed, that the web page has been blocked correctly.
Reasons to block a web page on Android
There are several the reasons that a person may have to block a web page both in Android and in any other operating system, below we will describe a little two different situations:
- You want to avoid sensitive or inappropriate content: if the device will be used occasionally by minors, it is best to restrict access to adult websites.
- For work and time optimization reasons: when there is a website that distracts our attention from what we should be doing, sometimes it is best to block it so as not to lose concentration.