Block VPN
How to Block VPNs on an iPhone
Prevent bypass of content filtering by blocking VPNs on an iPhone. Restrict changing VPN settings and block VPN apps.
VPNs tend to cause issues if you're using a content filter on an iPhone, so if you're an adult or parent trying to filter web content on an iPhone, blocking VPNs and (preferably) preventing them from being added to an iPhone is very important. Depending on how strict a setup you need, there are several options to consider if you need to completely block VPNs on your iPhone.
For adults (or accountability partners helping an adult), blocking VPNs is an important part of creating an effective blocking system that blocks adult content on an iPhone . Because you often have full control over your own iPhone, you'll need to go further than the traditional Screen Time or app blocker approach and consider Supervised Mode as a better alternative.
For parents, it's important to note that a VPN will not prevent Screen Time from working , but VPNs do present a challenge if you rely on a DNS-based content filter on a child's iPhone. There are still several options that parents can consider.
Enable Supervised Mode for Advanced VPN Restrictions (Recommended for Adults)
The main reason why adults block VPNs is that it introduces a bypass method on iPhones; without taking any steps, you could download a VPN app from the App Store and effectively override a filtered VPN.
Unfortunately, recent iOS updates and changes to App Store ratings have made it very difficult to just "block all VPN app downloads". If you want to prevent conflicting VPNs from being added to your iPhone, you'll need to use a creative approach that most people don't know about.
Apple provides an alternative to Screen Time , called supervised mode, which can be used to effectively restrict VPNs on an iPhone. If Supervised mode is enabled on your iPhone, then it's possible to install Apple Config Files and control how the device behaves, and this includes the ability to completely disable the iPhone's ability to add new VPN profiles.
Supervised mode manages settings on your iPhone in a way that can't be disabled and is the most reliable way to block VPNs. This is the most effective approach we can recommend for adults and accountability partners.
Block VPN Services with a Content Policy
You can also cause some VPNs to not function even if they are downloaded on the iPhone, and this is more effective if you're concerned about VPNs being accessed in non-traditional ways on your iPhone. This also locks down related loopholes, like proxy websites and services, and works on the network level for all apps on your iPhone.
For example, if you've connected your iPhone to a Content Policy , you can block entire categories of websites and even pick specific apps, domains, or domains containing keywords that you want to block. To block VPNs (and proxy websites/services), create a new block rule and select the Anonymizer category:
This will cause certain anonymous browsing websites to not function properly.
Next, you should add the CIPA Filter category to a block rule.
You can also block domains containing keywords using the domain section of the block rule:
Once you add a word like "vpn," any website containing that word in the domain will be blocked.
Control Apps with Screen Time to Block VPNs (Recommended for Parents)
If you're a parent managing a child's iPhone, then it's possible to use features like Ask To Buy to restrict your child's device and prevent new apps from being purchased from the App Store. See our dedicated guide for parents about how to set up Ask to Buy .
However, it's worth pointing out that if you've deleted a VPN app from your child's iPhone, there is still the possibility that they could redownload it from the App Store, bypassing Ask to Buy. To fix this issue, check out our guide on how to stop a child from redownloading apps .
Block Conflicting Apps
There are some apps that can be added to an iPhone from the App Store that function like a VPN, even if they don't add a VPN configuration in iOS settings. For example, there are some web browsers marketed as "privacy web browsers" that function similarly to a VPN.
There are several nuances about how to do this effectively, depending on what your goals are. Here are the options you can choose to match your blocking approach:
- Install the apps you want to keep, then disable the App Store
- Consider using a supervised app allowlist, which automatically blocks all apps other than the ones you specify. If you need to keep currently-installed apps updated, this doesn't disable the App Store.
- Use an App Blocklist to block a list of apps you curate and customize.
Check out our dedicated guide to blocking VPN apps on iPhone for full instructions.
Use a Filtered VPN and Enforce It
Some VPNs, like the one included with a Tech Lockdown membership, can be installed and enforced reliably on an iPhone. This can help you block other VPNs much more effectively for a few key reasons:
- VPNs accessed through a browser or other non-traditional ways can be blocked at the network level.
- iPhones can only have one VPN enabled at a time. If you have a filtered VPN enforced properly, then it's significantly harder to switch to a different one later.
Check out our dedicated guide for enforcing a filtered VPN on iPhone for more steps. For the full content-filter enforcement walkthrough, see our iPhone content filter enforcement guide .