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How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

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Ava Arnold

Updated on March 29, 2026

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

How to Stop Safari From Launching Apps on iPhone and iPad

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

How to Stop Safari From Launching Apps on iPhone and iPad: Safari for iPhone and iPad will automatically open many web links in apps. For example, if you tap a LinkedIn, Reddit, or YouTube link on a web page, you’ll be taken to the associated app. Here’s how to stay in Safari.

Option 1: Uninstall the App

Here’s why Safari does this: App developers can choose to register their apps with URLs. For example, if you install the LinkedIn app, it will register itself with linkedin.com addresses. Whenever you tap a linkedin.com link in Safari with LinkedIn installed, Safari will take you to the LinkedIn app. Apple doesn’t offer a way to disable this for individual apps.

If you really don’t like using a service’s app and prefer its website, you can uninstall the app from your iPhone or iPad. Safari won’t open the app if it’s not installed.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Option 2: Long-Press on a Link

To avoid opening an app when opening an individual link, you can long-press it in Safari. A preview of the web page will appear. Tap “Open” to open the link in Safari in the current tab or “Open in New Tab” to open the link in Safari in a background tab.

This will bypass opening the link in the associated app, but you’ll have to use the context menu each time. If you find yourself doing this all the time, uninstalling the service’s app may save you some time.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Option 3: Use Safari in Private Browsing Mode

In Private Browsing mode, Safari’s behavior changes to protect your privacy. Safari will never open a private browsing link in its associated app before asking you first. This helps protect your privacy—after all, you may be signed into the app and it may reveal personal information.

When in Private Browsing mode, you’ll receive an “Open in [App]?” prompt after tapping a link if that link would normally open in an app. Tap “Cancel” and Safari will open the link in a normal Private Browsing tab.

However, there is still that extra step after enabling Private Browsing mode—you have to tap “Cancel” rather than just instantly opening the link.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Option 4: Lock Safari With Guided Access

Guided Access mode is a feature on your iPhone or iPad that lets you “lock” your iPhone to a specific app. For example, you might enable this if you want a child to use a specific app on your device (like a game or video player) without accessing anything else (like your email or online banking.)

This feature can stop Safari from opening apps, too: With Guided Access enabled, you can’t leave Safari until you disable Guided Access mode. Safari won’t even try to open links in other apps.

To set up Guided Access mode, head to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access. (You can use the search box to search for the Guided Access page in settings, too.) Activate “Guided Access” here.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Next, switch to Safari and triple-click the side button, as explained on the Guided Access settings screen. Tap “Start” to enable Guided Access mode. You’ll be prompted to enter a PIN the first time you do this. You’ll need this PIN to leave Guided Access mode.

You can now browse and Safari won’t offer to open any apps. To leave Safari, you’ll have to exit Guided Access mode by triple-clicking the side button once again and entering your PIN. You can tap “Passcode Settings” on the Settings screen where you enabled Guided Access to enable other authentication methods like Touch ID and Face ID.

None of these methods are perfect. You’ll either have to uninstall the associated app or do some extra tapping around to avoid opening its links in Safari.

Ideally, Apple would offer a Settings screen that lets you control which apps can take over links just as you can control other app features like location access and notification permissions.

I upgraded my iPhone to iOS 7. Previously, when I clicked on a link from an e-mail telling me about a group discussion in LinkedIn, it opened LinkedIn in Safari and took me right there. Now, Safari launches, but then as it processes, it then launches the LinkedIn app. The problem is, most times the discussion in LinkedIn is really just a link to a webpage. I’d rather just stay in Safari, especially since the LinkedIn app takes forever to load. I’m sure Safari does this with other apps, however, the circumstances haven’t come up yet for me. I can’t find it in the Safari settings or LinkedIn settings to stop this.

Updated to add: I have found that if I go back to Safari after it tries launching LinkedIn and force a page refresh, Safari will load the mobile (rather than app) version of LinkedIn as desired.

8 Answers 8

In iOS 9, I’ve had success doing a long tap on the link and selecting “Open” from the pop-up menu. That opens a link and keeps it in Safari rather than jumping into an app (recently tested with an IMDB link from Google search results).

I found this post helpful, which is simple and easy to do:

  1. Go to settings.
  2. Search “guided access” (or go to General > Accessibilty > Guided Access)
  3. Click on Guided Access
  4. Turn on Guided Access

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

I would uninstall the LinkedIn app. That would solve the issue – however you may not want to do that. LinkedIn data mines your phone, contacts and emails, I use linkedIn but do not trust the company.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Just use the workaround you found – going back to Safari after it tries launching LinkedIn and force a page refresh so that it loads the mobile (rather than app) version of LinkedIn.

Also contact LinkedIn about the slowness you see in the app.

But if you want the choice of not uninstalling the app and trying other solutions, then there is at least one very tedious (really, really tedious) way to deal with it. I’m listing these here more as an exercise in imagination (and humor) than as practical solutions.

One tedious way is to tap on the link, and the moment you’re in Safari hit the stop (x), modify the initial part to to go to the mobile site. I’m not sure if this works well all the time. You can also do this by copying the link, pasting it in Safari and modifying it.

Another tedious way is to follow this routine every time you open your mail:

If your computer is running slow and taking a long time to start up, it is likely that the problem is due to unwanted Apps starting up automatically and running in background. You will find below the steps to Stop Apps from Opening on Startup in Windows 10.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Stop Apps from Opening on Startup in Windows 10

Many Apps and programs, including Microsoft Apps like Skype, Teams, OneDrive have an inherent tendency to automatically start with the computer and keep running in the background.

This can often lead to problems like delayed startup, slowing down of the computer and frozen or stuck screen due to High CPU and RAM usage by the startup programs.

In certain cases, you may even be surprised to find unknown and unauthorized Apps running in background, unnecessarily using up or draining resources on your computer.

Luckily, it is easy to Stop Apps from Opening at Startup in Windows 10 and prevent them from having an adverse impact on the overall performance of your computer.

Stop Apps from Opening at Startup Using Task Manager

Follow the steps below to stop any App or Program from opening at startup in Windows 10 using Task Manager.

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Task Manager in WinX menu that appears.

2. On Task Manager screen, switch to Startup , select the Program that you want to prevent from automatically starting and click on Disable option.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Note: If you cannot see the Startup Tab, click on More Details option located at the bottom left corner of your screen.

3.Similarly, you can repeat the above steps to prevent all unnecessary Programs from opening at Startup on your computer.

Note: If the “Disable” button is greyed out or unavailable, you need to login with you Admin Account.

2. Remove Apps from Startup Folder in Windows 10

Another way to Stop Apps from opening at Startup in Windows 10 is to remove the App from the Startup Folder on your computer.

1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Run . In the Run Command window, type shell:startup and click on OK to open the Startup Folder on your computer.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

2. In the Startup Folder, right-click on the Program that you want to prevent from opening at startup and click on Delete .

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Once the program is removed from Startup Folder, it will no longer bother you by automatically starting with your computer and running in background.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Safari for iPhone and iPad will automatically open many web links in apps. For example, if you tap a LinkedIn, Reddit, or YouTube link on a web page, you’ll be taken to the associated app. Here’s how to stay in Safari.

Option 1: Uninstall the App

Here’s why Safari does this: App developers can choose to register their apps with URLs. For example, if you install the LinkedIn app, it will register itself with linkedin.com addresses. Whenever you tap a linkedin.com link in Safari with LinkedIn installed, Safari will take you to the LinkedIn app. Apple doesn’t offer a way to disable this for individual apps.

If you really don’t like using a service’s app and prefer its website, you can uninstall the app from your iPhone or iPad. Safari won’t open the app if it’s not installed.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Option 2: Long-Press on a Link

To avoid opening an app when opening an individual link, you can long-press it in Safari. A preview of the web page will appear. Tap “Open” to open the link in Safari in the current tab or “Open in New Tab” to open the link in Safari in a background tab.

This will bypass opening the link in the associated app, but you’ll have to use the context menu each time. If you find yourself doing this all the time, uninstalling the service’s app may save you some time.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Option 3: Use Safari in Private Browsing Mode

In Private Browsing mode, Safari’s behavior changes to protect your privacy. Safari will never open a private browsing link in its associated app before asking you first. This helps protect your privacy—after all, you may be signed into the app and it may reveal personal information.

When in Private Browsing mode, you’ll receive an “Open in [App]?” prompt after tapping a link if that link would normally open in an app. Tap “Cancel” and Safari will open the link in a normal Private Browsing tab.

However, there is still that extra step after enabling Private Browsing mode—you have to tap “Cancel” rather than just instantly opening the link.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Option 4: Lock Safari With Guided Access

Guided Access mode is a feature on your iPhone or iPad that lets you “lock” your iPhone to a specific app. For example, you might enable this if you want a child to use a specific app on your device (like a game or video player) without accessing anything else (like your email or online banking.)

This feature can stop Safari from opening apps, too: With Guided Access enabled, you can’t leave Safari until you disable Guided Access mode. Safari won’t even try to open links in other apps.

To set up Guided Access mode, head to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access. (You can use the search box to search for the Guided Access page in settings, too.) Activate “Guided Access” here.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Next, switch to Safari and triple-click the side button, as explained on the Guided Access settings screen. Tap “Start” to enable Guided Access mode. You’ll be prompted to enter a PIN the first time you do this. You’ll need this PIN to leave Guided Access mode.

You can now browse and Safari won’t offer to open any apps. To leave Safari, you’ll have to exit Guided Access mode by triple-clicking the side button once again and entering your PIN. You can tap “Passcode Settings” on the Settings screen where you enabled Guided Access to enable other authentication methods like Touch ID and Face ID.

None of these methods are perfect. You’ll either have to uninstall the associated app or do some extra tapping around to avoid opening its links in Safari.

Ideally, Apple would offer a Settings screen that lets you control which apps can take over links just as you can control other app features like location access and notification permissions.

Stop safari from launching apps: link long press, Guided Access mode and Safari private browsing mode, three solutions for stop opening app from Safari.

There are some cases where iPhone or iPad user need to access web links. For example links in search result, links in email, and link in message. Sometime user wants to open such links in Safari browser new or existing tab instead of iPhone or iPad installed app.

Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and more are common apps which exist in most cases in mobile. If user click related app links in Safari, app will open. To stop this process following are available solutions and settings.

Table of Contents

Solution #1: Link long press

  1. Long press link
  2. Select Open or Open in Background option
  3. Link will open in Safari instead of app

Safari will remember your choice for future access and open link in Safari itself. In future if you required launching app, you can long press link and select app name from open with options.

Solution #2: Guided Access mode

Guided Access mode is iPhone and iPad accessibility setting. Guided access mode keeps the iPhone or iPad in a single app. It means you not move from one app to other app, in current case (Safari to other app).

You can enable Guided Access mode from Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access option. Next, move to Safari and triple-click side button to use Guided Access for Safari.

In this solution, when you want to launch some app using link, you need to follow same triple-click side button step to exit Guided Access mode.

Solution #3: Safari private browsing mode

When you use Safari with private browsing mode, browser will not open link associate app without your confirmation. When you click link browser open popup and ask “Open in ”, you need to press cancel to stop launching associate app and open link in Safari.

Above given are possible solutions, if you want to stop safari from launching apps when click any link and related app installed in your iPhone or iPad. Suggested solution here is Link long press options. Using this solution, you are free to open link in Safari or in app.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Websites in Safari often bother you to allow them access to your location services to find out where you are. You can turn off these signals on the iPhone and iPad and even prevent the browser from having full access to location services. How is it here

Related: How to prevent a website from asking about your location.

How to disable location requests in Safari on iPhone and iPad.

To get started, open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and select “Safari”.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Scroll down until you see the “Website Settings” section. Tap “Location” there.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Now, Safari will automatically stop the website from forwarding signals asking for your location. Unfortunately, as of this writing, Safari does not allow you to have a whitelist of sites that can request your location.

Related: How to create iPhone apps Always ask for location access.

How to disable location services for Safari on iPhone and iPad.

If you want to prevent Safari from completely accessing location services for all websites, you can disable its access.

Note: Keep in mind that you will never use your iPhone’s location in Safari. You may want to disable accurate location services instead and allow apps to view only your estimated location.

First, open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad and select “Privacy.”

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Tap “Location Services”.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Select “Safari Websites”.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Select the “Never” option under “Allow location access”.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

After disabling it, websites will no longer be able to use location services in Safari on your iPhone or iPad.

It’s important to know if apps respect your privacy, so be sure to check the privacy details of an app before installing it.

Related: How to check the privacy details of the iPhone app before installing it.

I know there is a lot wrong with the world, and one should not be so infuriated by such a thing, but I have never encountered something for which I desire to burn things before. Lol.

Random pop ups in both safari and chrome, suddenly open with only the option to “ok” disabling the browser, disabling any ability to press the back button. And proceed to open the App Store, closing chrome/safari and sending me to rubbish casino apps and spartan wars. Etc. This is completely forced, no choice disgusting advertising that frankly should be banned out right without question.

I am sincerely getting board of this ipad now. It’s like late 1990’s with the thing. I once got 9 pops ups in one shot over and over. Unbelievable. But this thing is infuriating. For a random pop up to have so much power on ones device is disconcerting, to be able to close your browser, open App Store, delete ability to press back button. Grey out your browser completely. Scary.

Question is. How on earth do I stop it. I’m even more worried that I can’t find any info online.

iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi

Posted on Sep 3, 2013 11:21 AM

Helpful answers

This should be the accepted answer , the limit ad tracking stopped the App Store automatically opening with random apps

Jan 24, 2014 3:15 AM

There’s more to the conversation

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To be honest, I’m not having that problem.

However, your verbiage suggests you may be using a browser like Safari or Chrome to view iTunes content. If that’s the issue – and I believe it is – then the easist way of addressing this is by previewing Apps only by using the App Store. It’s possible to view Apps through the browser. but it’s a lot easier simply to tap the App Store icon – and that brings you all the apps, 100% searchable by several criteria.

Sep 3, 2013 11:46 AM

You’re totally missing the point with that reponse.

Its got nothing to do with app shopping or itunes browsing.

Some websites have popup code in them containing itunes or app store links. The ipada response to these links is to dump the browser and then open the app store at the advertised app.

Its a total pain in the backside, apple need to submit a fix for ios 7 to block this kind of behaviour.

Its just like being on the internet on a lat 90s windows pc before the windows xp service pack 2 security patches.

Typical sites exhibiting this behaviour are and amongst many others.

Oct 16, 2013 5:25 AM

Under settings and safari you can block pop ups. However, if sites are hijacking your browser to send you ads. stop going to the sites.

Or shop the app store and find a browser that has better blocking.

You can complain to apple (there’s a ‘contact us’ link on the bottom of this page), but you’ll get faster results either altering your behavior or finding a different browser or communicating to the site about their aggressive advertising. It’s entirely possible that those sites don’t even realize that their ads are doing that.

Oct 16, 2013 5:58 AM

I already have my browsers configured correctly, it makes no difference.

Ive tried a large number of browsers and settled on chrome as its better than the competition.

That said the main issue is from the facebook app, and there isnt a viable alternative.

Patching the app store’s response to non user initiated links would be a viable fix.

“Changing my behaviour” not a suitable alternative as i want to enjoy the sites i want to enjoy safely.

Even windows has safeguards to prevent websites automatically opening programmes other than the browser. Poor show in ios 7 allowing this.

Oct 16, 2013 9:39 AM

Hello. It’s not just you – I just saw this yesterday, although mine was a bit different. My browser didn’t grey out and no buttons appeared, my iPhone just switched to the App Store and opened the page of one of those games that ask you to pay. The problem is infuriating, possibly a security breach, but doesn’t seem very common. The best discussion I’ve seen on this is at where it happens on both iOS and Android.

On Android, it doesn’t seem associated with any specific page and seems to happen after an amount of time, suggesting the problem lies within the system. On iOS, it seems to be caused by malignant ads on specific pages. The theory I believe for now is the ad uses JavaScript to open a popup window that links to the App Store – just the same as you clicking on an App Store link on a page yourself, except this doesn’t require you to click it.

Oct 19, 2013 12:49 AM

This is more of an issue with bad advertising services trying to force there ads on viewers. I believe most of the time this issue is not the intended behavior of the owner or developer of the web site. It is usually caused by the advertising service they are using to help pay for their web site and may not be aware this is happening since it is related to only a few ads pushed to their website from the advertising service. If the owner of the website is not aware of this behavior and wants to provide a good service they will address this issue if you bring it to their attention. If they do not they will quickly lose me as a user of their web site. Most will want to provide a good service and will go to the advertising agency to get this behavior changed and taken off there site.

I would also hope Apple will see this issue and make some changes to prevent it from happening.

Send AppleFeedback a note.

Oct 19, 2013 7:02 AM

This is my opinion also (I’m getting sooooOOOOOOO MAD with these in-app pop-ups), some of the devs are probably unaware their advertisers are using these means, HOWEVER, I’m sure an equal or greater number are completely aware and likely encourage it.

For example; the prime violater in my experience is topoffer.mobi with Candy Crush Saga, a game I assume is designed by the same people who design poker-machines to suck people into throwing away their money for bright lights and pretty noises. I don’t think they’d hesitate for one second to utilise an unavoidable click-through.

At the end of the day, the devs can cry ignorance all they want. If Apple gets off their fat lazy ***** and enforces fines for TOS violations or pulls the offending devs app until they stop, then *******, you see how fast the devs will pull their shonky ads.

Worth noting that in Australia, where I reside, under the commercial trade practises act it is NOT LEGAL for these pop-up ads to operate the way they do, and Apple can be held responsible for unwanted/unavoidable advertising material as ultimately, it’s their device, their appstore. It’s only a matter of time before the ACCC here fines Apple for operating outside of a reasonable expectation of service, as I’m sure there are cases already underway. If you don’t think this is likely, maybe look into how Apple and Coke to name but a few, have all been fined in Australia for false advertising claims they were able to get away with in UK, US and Canada under the ‘No Reasonable Person’ gambit. We don’t take that kind of crap here.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Apple users frequently use the Safari browser to connect to the world of the internet. But, after the iOS 15 update, users worldwide have been facing some issues with it, such as safari not being connected to the internet, random safari crashes, freezes, or Web links not responding.

If you are also struggling with Safari not working on iPhone or Safari not working on iPad issues, you should make sure that the Safari system setting is proper. For that, go to Cellular option Under Settings > check if Safari option is checked ON or not, if not, checked it ON to authorize Safari Browser so that you would be able to use it. Further, you should make sure to close all the tabs which are open to avoid data redundancy.

Let us learn 6 Tips on fixing Safari not working on iPhone/iPad after iOS 15 update.

  • Tip 1: Re-launch Safari App
  • Tip 2: Restart the device
  • Tip 3: Update iOS of iPhone/iPad
  • Tip 4: Clear history, cache, and website data
  • Tip 5: Disable the Suggestion option of Safari settings
  • Tip 6: Check for restriction

Tip 1: Re-launch Safari App

Sometimes continuous usage of Safari App causes deadlock or some system issue. So, to resolve it, let’s start with some quick fixes for the app by relaunching the Safari app.

To re-launch the app, you need to double click the home button on your device screen (To open the multitasking screen to view all the running apps)> Then Swipe up Safari app to close it down > after that wait for few seconds say 30 to 60 seconds > then re-launch the Safari app. See if this resolves your concern. If not then move on to next step.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Tip 2: Restart the device

Next tip will be to restart the device, although primary, but very effective process as doing so will refresh the data and apps, release extra used memory that sometimes causes a delay in the working of an app or system.

To restart your iPhone/iPad you are required to hold the sleep and wake button and press it until the slider appears, Now swipe the slider from left to right till the screen turn off > Wait for a while > then press the sleep and wake button once again to restart your device.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Tip 3: Update iOS of iPhone/iPad

The third tip is to update your iOS to the latest version in order to avoid any bug. This helps the device to work smoothly by repairing the device as well as providing protection features. So, you should make sure that your iPhone or iPad is updated.

How to update iOS software wirelessly?

In order to update the software of iPhone/iPad wirelessly you need to Switch On your internet Wi-Fi connection > Go to Settings> Select General option > Click on Software Update, > Click on download > after that need to Click on install > Enter the Passcode (if any asked) and finally confirm it.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

How to update iOS software with iTunes

In order to update software with iTunes, first of all, install the latest version of iTunes from: you need to connect the device (iPhone/iPad) with the computer system > Go to iTunes > select your device from there > Select the ‘Summary’ option > Click on ‘Check for Update’ > Click on ‘Download and Update’ option > Enter the passkey (if any), then confirm it.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

To know how to update iOS in detail, please visit:

Tip 4: Clear history, cache, and website data

Clearing your device’s cache memory or junk data is a good idea as doing so will make the device run faster and side by side resolve unknown bugs or errors. The steps to clear cache/history are quite simple.

To Clear History and Data, go to Settings > Select the Safari > after that Click on clear history and Website data > Finally click on Clear History and data

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

B. Clearing browser history and cookies

Open the Safari app > Locate the ‘Bookmark’ button in the Toolbar > Click on the Bookmark icon at top left side > Click on the ‘History’ menu > Click on ‘Clear’, after that (Select the option last hour, last day, 48 hours, or all)

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

C. Removing all website data

This option will help you delete the website data, however, before that make sure that you will be logged out of any of the websites you are logged in to once you choose to remove all website data. The steps to follow are here under:

Go to Settings > Open the Safari app > Click on Advanced option > Select ‘Website Data’, > Click on Remove all Website data > Then select Remove now, it will ask to Confirm it.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Tip 5: Disable the Suggestion option of Safari settings

Safari Suggestions is an interactive content designer who suggests content about news, article, app stores, movie, weather forecast, nearby locations and much more. Sometimes these suggestions are useful but these might slow down the device’s functioning running in the background or make the data redundant. So, how to turn off the Safari Suggestions?

For that you need to go to the Settings > Select the Safari option > Turn off the Safari Suggestions

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Tip 6: Check for restriction

The restriction is actually the parental control feature, through which you would be able to control and manage your apps or content of the device. There might be the chances that this restriction feature is on for the Safari app. So, you can turn it off by:

Visiting the Settings app > Select General option> Go to the Restrictions >

> Enter the passkey (if any), Under this toggle off the safari sign until it turns gray/white.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Note: Finally, we would like to share the details of the Apple Support page, for further assistance. If none of the above tips help you out, you need not worry about visiting the Apple Support. You can even contact the Safari Customer Support at 1-888-738-4333 to talk to anyone about any of your Safari issues.

We are sure that when you go through the article, you will find some really important tips to resolve the issue of Safari not working on iPhone/iPad or Safari not connected to the internet.

In the above article, we have mentioned the tips in a step by step manner, you need to follow the steps carefully and in order, and also after each step make sure you check whether the Safari not working issue is resolved or not.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Source: Luke Filipowicz / iMore

If you have children with iPhones or iPads, or who frequently use yours, and you want to control the type of content they can access when browsing the web in Safari, you’re in luck — Apple lets you do just that. Whether you want to automatically limit all adult content to prevent a child from accidentally hitting a link they shouldn’t, blacklist specific websites, or shut off all sites except for the ones you specifically whitelist, you’ll find everything you need right in Settings and Restrictions.

Here’s how to block websites in Safari and manage the parental controls (restrictions) for web content.

How to limit adult content in Safari for iPhone and iPad

If you’re not overly worried and just want to try to prevent your kids from hitting links that take them to adult material, or there are only a few sites you want to make sure they never land on, you can use the automatic settings and the blacklist feature. Before you start, you’ll need to make sure you have set up Screen Time on your device.

  1. Launch Settings from the home screen.
  2. Choose Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Source: iMore

Choose Limit Adult Websites.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Source: iMore

How to block specific websites in Safari on iPhone and iPad

If limiting adult content isn’t enough, or you happen to notice a URL that has slipped through the cracks, you can always block any URL you want with restrictions.

  1. Launch Settings from the home screen.
  2. Choose Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Source: iMore

Choose Limit Adult Websites

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Source: iMore

Select Back at the top left.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Source: iMore

Repeat this process for each site you’d like to block. Keep in mind that if certain websites have mobile sites, you may need to block them separately. If you find a site that’s still getting through after you attempt to block it, visit that site and look in the Address Bar of Safari to make sure you’re blocking the correct URL. Copy it if you need to and paste it into restrictions.

How to block everything and whitelist only specific sites in Safari for iPhone and iPad

For very young children, or if you simply want to make sure nothing is accessible except what you specifically allow, you can disable everything and then only turn back on the sites you consider absolutely permissible, like Apple or Disney.

  1. Launch Settings from the home screen.
  2. Choose Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Source: iMore

Choose Allowed Websites Only.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Source: iMore

Choose Back.

How to stop safari from launching apps on iphone and ipad

Source: iMore

Did we miss anything?

Do you have additional questions on how to block websites? Sound off in the comments below.