One of the easiest places to fall into the trap called "doom scrolling" is TikTok. The TikTok social media platform has become an international phenomenon, captivating millions of users from around the world. However, in the interest of self-control, it is important to know how to block TikTok on your iPhone, to avoid the distractions it creates.
In order to promote self-control and well-being online, it may become necessary to block the app entirely. But how do you do that? This guide will provide you with several different techniques that work on an iPhone.
Using a DNS Filter to Block TikTok 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 TikTok
tiktok.com tiktokv.com tiktokcdn.com
It is important to note that we are blocking more than just the main website. TikTok has something called a Content Delivery Network, which is how it stores and shares it's video content. In order to effectively block TikTok, you should also block the content on the site as well.
Setting up a DNS Filter on your Router to Block TikTok on your Home Network
You can also set up filtering on your home network, and block TikTok 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:
Get Powerful DNS Filtering
Set up filtering on all your devices and prevent common bypass techniques.
Using Screen Time to Block TikTok 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:
tiktok.com tiktokv.com tiktokcdn.com
While this is a decently effective approach, this is not as effective as a supervised or managed device.
Using a Supervised Device to Block TikTok on an iPhone
If you have a supervised device, you can add TikTok 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 Managed Device to Block TikTok on an iPhone
With a managed iPhone, blocking TikTok 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
You can Block TikTok in a variety of ways on an iPhone. Whether it's by using Screen Time, or setting up and managing your device, some methods are more effective than others.
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!
Go Beyond Beyond Basic Blocking
Elevate your content blocking and bypass prevention.