Facebook is one of the most widely used social media apps in the world. However, in our day and age, sometimes it can become too distracting, or become an enabler of unhealthy online habits. This is why it is important to know how to block the Facebook app from an iPhone.
While there are clear benefits to using the Facebook app, the platform might become an obsession or even border on an addiction. It can also be used to escalate the types of content you see to explicit or sensitive content. There is a variety of different ways to block apps on an iPhone, with the simpler option being Screen Time. However, there are many other ways that are far more effective at blocking content in general than just using Screen Time.
Using a DNS Filter to Block Facebook on an iPhone
Apple's built-in content filter can work to provide a basic level of blocking. While the app itself can be blocked, as well as the website, the most effective way to block content is with a DNS Filter. However, due to the way that Apple has decided to handle which settings can be changed on their devices, a managed device will be required in order to properly enforce on an iPhone. Tech Lockdown provides guides for how create a managed device for their members.
Using a DNS Filtering App on your iPhone to Block Facebook
facebook.com fbcdn.net facebook.net
You might notice that there are more domains being used that just the normal Facebook website. The reason is because Facebook, like most social media platforms, use something called a Content Delivery Network to host video and image content. The extra domains block these networks and will prevent Facebook content from working on your filtered devices.
Setting up a DNS Filter on your Router to Block Facebook on your Home Network
You can also set up filtering on your home network, and block Facebook for all your devices connected to your Router. To do this, you will need to follow the instructions provided by the DNS Filtering service in order to change your Router's DNS settings.
You can also prevent devices from being able to bypass your filtering settings by enabling your filter's Proxy & Avoidance category. For Tech Lockdown, it looks like this:
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Set up filtering on all your devices and prevent common bypass techniques.
Using Screen Time to Block Facebook on an iPhone
Screen Time provides a very basic way for you to block either apps or websites on your iPhone. To do this, you can create device limits, prevent the installing of apps, and properly lock down Screen Time settings.
iPhone can be set up to block certain websites or restrict apps by using the built-in Screen Time settings. Screen Time is accessible through the Settings app.
We recommend setting up the device using the "This is my Child's Phone" option when setting it up for the first time. This allows you to set up a pin.
You can limit an app by setting it's time limit to the lowest possible value.
You can also block the website from being accessed in Safari. To do this from the Screen Time Settings page, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, and then Content Restrictions.
There are a couple of options that you can choose. You can choose to Limit Adult Websites, and then add the website to the Never Allow Category:
Or you could choose the Allowed Websites Only, and manually decide which websites are available on the device.
An important note, it is strongly recommended that you set up a Screen Time pin, if at all possible, with another Apple ID. This will prevent you from resetting your pin.
The websites that you can add to your Screen Time's Never Allow list:
facebook.com fbcdn.net facebook.net
This can get the job done, but it is important to remember that Screen Time is not a true Content Filter and will not provide the best filtering solution while online.
Using a Supervised iPhone to Block the Facebook App
If you have a supervised device, you can add Facebook to your devices App Blocklist.
You can use a Device Manager, like Apple Configurator, to add these settings your profile's app blocklist.
You can then search for which apps you want to add to this list:
Get Supervised DNS Filtering
Add an additional level of blocking with a DNS Filter enforced on supervised devices.
Using a Mobile Device Manager to Block Facebook on a Managed iPhone
With a managed iPhone, blocking Facebook is even easier.
A managed device is a step above a supervised device. In addition to the features available to a supervised device, you also have some other advantages:
- Remote Management, you will be able to make changes to your device's profile without needing to physically access the device.
- DNS Proxy, which allows you to enforce a DNS filter on your device. This is not a supported feature for a standard or supervised device.
- Kiosk Mode, which allows you to disable all but a selected few apps.
To learn more about how to set up a managed device, check out our guide for creating a Healthy iPhone .
Blocking Apps on a managed device requires a piece of software called a Mobile Device Manager. One example of a Mobile Device Manager (also known as an MDM), is called ManageEngine.
You can then add the App store to an App Blocklist, which will then automatically uninstall the blocked apps on your managed device.
Closing Thoughts
There are many different ways for you to block Facebook content on an iPhone. The most effective path for blocking apps is to use a Managed device, however, there are other methods that can work.
The most effective way to block any kind of content online with an iPhone is to use a Content Blocker, like a DNS Filter. Tech Lockdown offers a comprehensive solution for blocking content for all kinds of devices, not just iPhone. If you are interested in learning more about how Tech Lockdown can help you, check out our main page to get started!
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