How to Block Apps on Android

Tech Lockdown Team

|

Updated December 16, 2024

If you've ever wanted to block apps on your smartphone, chances are you've noticed just how hard this is. Without an AppLocker app, it might seem almost impossible. Fortunately, there are several ways I've found that allow you to fully block apps on an Android smartphone.

Some apps can become a source of temptation, even if it's not for adult content. Apps that consume time can lead to unhealthy habits, even if the content you consume is normally healthy.

Many apps can be used to bypass a content filter by changing DNS settings or creating an unfiltered VPN connection. Additionally, the traditional approach to blocking apps has several limitations:

• If you try to rely on App Timers to block apps, it typically means that the app you're trying to block is already installed on your smartphone.
• Many apps can be easily accessed without an app using a web browser, like Chrome.
• If you're trying to limit an app, for example, with an app timer, it's typically easy to request more time or ignore limits you've set.

That's why we've considered many different ways to block apps on Android smartphones?

1. More effectively use built-in features and AppLocker apps. 
2. Create a Content Policy on your smartphone that blocks, schedules, or restricts you access to apps.
3. Enable managed mode on your Android device to unlock full app blocklisting capabilities, including the ability to prevent apps from being removed.

There first (and easiest) place to start is to use an AppLocking app in combination with App limits, so let's start there.

How to Block Apps on Android Using Built-In Features and Settings

One of the ways that I've found you can attempt to block apps is by using a combination of AppLocker apps and app limits. However, there two main problems with this approach:

1. Settings limits for an App requires it to be already installed on your smartphone.
2. AppLockers or Screen Time apps tend be clunky, insecure, or full of ads.

Note: installing third-party apps (apps from the app store) can sometimes be dangerous, especially if you provide those apps with administrative access to your Android device. You should only install trusted apps and work with trusted companies. 

Android malware apps with 2 million installs spotted on Google Play

Choose an AppLocker App

With all of the different apps out there, choosing on that works for you can be tricky.

The original AppLock app is a pretty good place to start, but there are a couple of notable drawbacks you might want to consider:

• The free version of the app puts a bunch of ads on your device if you need to change its settings. You may want to pay for the premium version if you use this app.
• The app tends to a bit buggy, for example, notifications might be blocked unintentionally.
• It can be difficult to find the original AppLocker app, since there are dozens of copycat options.

There are a few other apps you might want to consider instead, for example, Freedom blocker might be a slightly better option.

In general, you should expect to pay at least a little bit if you want to use an AppLocker app. 

Use the built-in App Limit settings to block apps

Most Android devices have a setting called Digital Wellbeing and parental controls. These features usually have more limitations that an AppLocker app, but they are officially supported by the operating system of your smartphone. As a result, they tend to be better performing and free.

On Google Pixel phones and Samsung phones, you can find parental control options offered by Google in the device's general settings.

It is also possible to use Google's Family Link feature to block apps from your smartphone. I wouldn't recommend it to those trying to self-manage, since it can require you to set up multiple accounts in order to work successfully.

Using an App Hider

Instead of blocking apps, you might try using an App Hider to prevent the app from being opened. 

App Hiders usually have a bad rap, since they are used to hide apps from parents or spouses. I would keep this in mind if you decided to use one. 

Some App Hiders might also need root access to your device (that means full control). When you choose an App Hider app, try to choose one that doesn't require root access (it will usually say "no root").

Combining an App Hider with App Lock

Sometimes it's useful to use an App Hider to make it less obvious that an app exists on your device. Then, the app lock can be used to lock access to the App Hider and the app that you are hiding.

However, if you are willing to go these lengths to block apps, I would highly recommend using parental controls instead. Family Link might be a bit tricky to set up on your smartphone, since you'll need to create multiple Google accounts. However, you will have a much better time preventing certain apps from being installed in the first place.

If you're looking to the best possible way to fully block apps, prevent apps from being installed in the first place, and restrict device settings, this is possible. You won't be able to achieve these results with an app, but I'll explain more about how you can do this.

There are better ways to block apps

Using AppLockers, parental controls, or other settings can work for most people. I wouldn't recommend relying on one method by itself; you might need to combine multiple approaches in order to be successful.

Even if you are able to prevent apps from being opened on your smartphone, that still doesn't address some important problems:

• AppLockers won't prevent you from using the web version of app through your browser. You will most likely have to also block your browser.
• AppLockers won't prevent apps from being downloaded onto your smartphone, unless you block the Play Store completely.
• Most AppLockers don't let you set your own schedule for apps. There are exceptions to this, although finding good options is difficult.

However, I've found even better ways to block apps:

• Enforce a DNS Content Policy that will prevent apps from working, both in the app and web versions.
  
• Create and enforce an app blocklist with managed mode.

Block Apps by Connecting Your Smartphone to a DNS Content Policy

The most effective way I've found to disable apps is to enforce a DNS Content Policy . A Content Policy lets you customize what kind of internet traffic is allowed on your device, included whether apps can function.

Using a DNS Content Policy won't stop apps from being downloaded onto your smartphone. Instead, it prevents those apps from functioning correctly. While this might seem like a limitation, it means that web versions of most apps will also be blocked.

Plus, a proper DNS Content Policy can let you do more than just block an app outright. You also have the option to:

1. Block apps and websites according to a schedule (for example, at night).
2. Choose who blocked rules should apply to, instead of applying the same restriction to everybody at your home.
3. Customize your policy even further by limiting certain features within various apps, such as enforcing browser SafeSearch, setting YouTube restricted mode, or blocking images and videos within a social media platform.

This is great if you don't want to block an app entirely and just need to restrict it in certain key areas.

Plus, you can see traffic logs related to your device's activity, so accountability partners can see what kinds of websites or apps have been allowed or blocked for you. Accountability partners can also see if changes have been made to rules.

Aside from blocking apps, you can use a Content Policy to filter out your internet traffic:

1. Block whole website categories, like adult content, security threats, and other VPNs.
2. Invite members to your account, like a spouse, family member, or accountability partner. Rules can be applied to specific members, for example, if you both share different work or school schedules.
3. Enforce filtering on your device with an always-on VPN.
4. Lock you Profile, so changes can't be made without a password.
   

It's possible for Android smartphones to connect to your Content Policy. Once connected, you get access to all of these features. 

This is only part of the full solution I've found; the next part is to create a blocklist to restrict which apps are allowed to be installed onto your device. Unfortunately, this isn't possible to do effectively on a standard Android smartphone using an app - it requires you to enable managed mode.

Block Apps Using Managed Mode

If you want to allow yourself to download apps from the Play Store while selectively preventing a list of apps from being downloaded onto your smartphone, then managed mode is much more effective than an AppLocker app.

Managed mode allows you to:

1. Block apps you choose. This will prevent these apps from being downloaded from the Play Store without disabling it entirely.
2. Choose whether apps can be removed or installed on your smartphone at all. This is ideal if you have a content filter installed that you don't want removed.
3. Hide the Settings app to prevent changes to your device's Settings, for example, prevent the device from creating or joining unauthorized VPN connections.

With managed mode enabled on your smartphone, prevents apps from being download at all on your device:

You can also hide built-in apps and limit your smartphone to just the essentials with the kiosk feature (this is perfect if you want to prevent Settings from being edited easily):

On your smartphone, using the kiosk feature will look something like this:

You can also remotely install apps you choose, and set configurations for those apps (for example, the Play Store):

Restrict the built-in web browser to heavily reduce distractions and temptation:

Plus, managed mode is the best way to enforce a DNS Content Policy on your smartphone. You can remotely configure your device to be connected to your Content Policy, prevents required apps from being uninstalled, and much more.

The Best Way to Block Apps on Android

It's very difficult to block apps on a standard Android smartphone (one that you get out of the box). AppLocker or App Hider apps tend to be a bit clunky and slow, and while they can block most settings, a little determination is usually enough to bypass those restrictions.

The best way I've found to block apps is with managed mode. It's much more powerful than an AppLocker app, especially since you don't need to disable these settings on your smartphone at all to change them. You need to use another device if you want to change settings.

Tech Lockdown members will get access to our premium guides that cover how to manage all of your own devices at home. This will include answers to common questions, step by step instructions, and guides for each of your devices.