Block social media

How to block social media on iPhone, and make it actually stick.

Blocking Instagram, TikTok, X, and the rest is easy for about a day. The hard part is keeping the block on after the novelty wears off. This guide covers the practical steps with Apple's Screen Time tools, plus where a dedicated blocker helps when raw settings keep getting switched back.

Download Stillpoint See setup help

The basic method

What Apple's built-in tools can do on their own.

iOS ships with Screen Time, which can limit or block individual apps and app categories. It is a reasonable starting point and it is free.

Open Settings, then Screen Time, then App Limits to cap or block social apps by category.
Use Downtime to switch off whole groups of apps during set hours.
Set a separate Screen Time passcode so the limits are not trivial to undo in a weak moment.

The catch is the same one most people hit: the limits are easy to extend or disable on the spot, and the browser is left wide open as a backdoor.

Where Stillpoint helps

For when the basic block keeps getting turned back on.

Apps and sites together

Close the Safari backdoor too.

Blocking the Instagram or TikTok app does nothing if you just open the site in Safari. Stillpoint blocks the websites alongside the apps so the obvious workaround is covered.

Recurring schedules

Stop deciding every single day.

Set a weekly schedule once and the social block switches on automatically during your weak hours, instead of relying on you to flip it each time.

Stronger protection

Make the off switch cost something.

Face ID, PIN, and uninstall friction mean ending a block early takes deliberate effort rather than one bored tap.

Progress

See the social time actually drop.

Track streaks and completed sessions so cutting back registers as real progress instead of a vague intention.

FAQ

Common questions about blocking social media on iPhone.

Can I block Instagram and TikTok specifically?

Yes. You can select individual social apps to block, and add their websites so the Safari version is covered too. Stillpoint uses Apple's Screen Time picker, so the apps you choose are blocked system-wide.

Why does my block keep turning off?

Usually because the off switch is instant and there is no separate passcode. Adding a Screen Time passcode plus Stillpoint's Face ID or PIN gate makes disabling a block a conscious act instead of a reflex. Read more on the harder-to-bypass page.

Do I need an account?

No. You can complete setup, grant Screen Time access, and start blocking locally without creating an account.

Is it free?

The core focus blocker is free to start. Stronger protection and advanced schedules are an optional paid upgrade.

Related guides

Want the broader blocking setup?

These guides cover blocking apps and websites in general, and the evening scroll loop specifically.

Block apps Block websites Get the app