TikTok has become one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. Its algorithm, designed to be as engaging and attention-grabbing as possible, has resulted in users spending an average of 58 minutes per day on the app. With the time spent on TikTok growing every year, some are looking to find out how to block TikTok on iPhone and iOS devices.
In this article, we will share why blocking TikTok can be helpful and how you can block it on your phone in a few different ways.
Reasons to Block or Restrict TikTok
TikTok is an incredible source of entertainment, inspiration, and knowledge. While you may not want to save goodbye to the app entirely, you may want to reduce how much time you are spending on it.
A neverending feed of videos can end up keeping you on the app for hours each day. Too much of anything can start causing consequences, with an overconsumption of social media content potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This can be especially true for younger users.
You may find that excessive use of TikTok can lead to FOMO, lower self-esteem, and envy. There is a fine line between where TikTok content can be inspiring to you and make you feel like you’re not doing enough or not doing well enough. This can be especially true with beauty, health, and wellness content, as well as finance content.
If you are a parent of a minor, you may want to restrict your child’s use of TikTok. Child brain development is especially sensitive to overuse of social media. It is why the so-called “TikTok brain” has led to shortened attention spans in children who endlessly scroll on the video sharing app. If you want to improve your child’s ability to focus and pay attention, limiting their TikTok use can be helpful.
It is for these reasons that you may decide to give yourself a break or time restrictions when it comes to using TikTok.
Block TikTok on an iPhone via App Limits
A helpful way to prevent you from being on TikTok too much involves leveraging the Apps Limits feature on your iPhone. With this feature, you can decide how much time you allow yourself to use TikTok on your phone or the phone of a minor.
The benefits of using this method of blocking or restricting TikTok usage include:
- No need for third-party apps – App Limits comes built into iOS
- Better time management – Set a time limit every day to manage TikTok usage
- Flexibility with restrictions – Customize and schedule the limitations you set
- Temporary blocking – Limit but don’t completely block using TikTok
Blocking TikTok via the App Limits feature on iPhones lets you take a more balanced approach to restricting TikTok use. This ensures that you or your child can still enjoy TikTok without it becoming too much of a time-consumer and attention-grabber.
How to Block TikTok on iPhone via App Limits
Here are the steps you need to take to block TikTok via App Limits:
- Tap on the Settings icon on your phone
- Head to Screen Time either by scrolling or searching for it and tap it to open it
- Go to the App Limits section and tap on App Limits
- Tap on Add Limit to add a new TikTok time restriction
- Tap on the Social category to find TikTok
- Select and tap on TikTok
- Tap on Next to set the time limit, customizing the settings to your preference
- Tap on Add to complete the time limit for TikTok
After taking these steps, you will have successfully set up a time limit for how much time can be spent on the app for a given day. Once the limit is reached, it will not be possible to use TikTok for the rest of the day.
Block TikTok on an iPhone via Content Restrictions
Another method you can use to prevent yourself or a child from accessing TikTok on an iPhone is via Content Restrictions. This is a built-in feature within the iPhone that lets you prevent certain apps, like TikTok, from being used.
The benefits of using the Content Restrictions method of blocking TikTok on an iPhone include:
- Block TikTok completely – You can fully restrict TikTok from being accessible
- Native solution – Use a built-in solution that does not require getting third-party apps
- Highly customizable – Restrict TikTok usage according to age, needs, etc.
- Free feature – You do not need to pay extra to use this feature
While the previous method we shared is for restricting TikTok usage to a certain amount of time each day, this alternate method blocks it entirely. This could be a helpful solution for not necessarily blocking TikTok permanently, but for extended periods of time, such as during a larger digital detox.
How to Block TikTok on iPhone via Content Restrictions
Here are the steps you need to follow to block TikTok using the Content Restrictions feature:
- Tap on the Settings icon on your phone
- Tap on Screen Time
- Enable Screen Time if it is not activated yet
- Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions after enabling Screen Time
- Enable Content & Privacy if it is not activated yet
- Tap on Content Restrictions
- Tap on Web Content
- Select Limit Adult Websites
- Include the URL for TikTok’s website www.tiktok.com in the Never Allow section
- Go back to the Content & Privacy Restrictions screen and tap on Allowed Apps
- Enable the blocking of TikTok by toggling the switch beside TikTok to the off position
Once you have followed all of these steps, TikTok will no longer be accessible via web browser or the TikTok app.
Block TikTok on an iPhone via Your Internet Router
A third method of blocking TikTok is to prevent it from being accessible on the router level. This will involve adding a filter to restrict access to the social media platform’s website and app on any device that tries to connect to TikTok.
Note: This is a heavy-handed approach to blocking TikTok so proceed with caution.
The benefits of using this method of blocking TikTok access include:
- Block all network devices – TikTok will be blocked for any device trying to access it
- No third-party software – Your router’s built-in filters are all you need to block TikTok
- Customizable filters – You can tailor restricting TikTok according to your needs
- Free solution – There is no cost involved in using this method
If you need the most complete and comprehensive method of blocking TikTok, this is it. You will not need to access individual devices, and can set up filters based on the degree of limitation you are looking for.
Depending on your router, the steps to block TikTok on it will vary, so consult with the manual or instructions for your router to learn how to use this method.
Note: This method only works if the device is using the internet connection provided by the router.
Conclusion
TikTok is used by over one billion people around the world, making it one of the most popular social media platforms around today. However, using the app could end up seeing you scrolling for hours, making it challenging to focus on work, tasks, and errands. Too much TikTok usage could also negatively affect mental health. Thankfully, you now know of a few different ways you can block or restrict TikTok to enjoy a more balanced approach to using the app.
