Block Apps

How to Block Apps on a Supervised iPhone

Using supervised mode, you can block apps on the iPhone in a more permanent way that is hard to bypass.

Tech Lockdown Team

Updated October 26, 2024

If an iPhone is configured with supervised mode, you can block apps in a more enforceable way. Compared to the built-in screen time feature provided by Apple, supervised mode allows you to create permanent app blocklists that are difficult to bypass.

Here are a few reasons why you might consider using supervised mode app blocking:

You want to block app on the iPhone in a more enforceable way for yourself or another person.
The app should be completely disabled from being opened at all - not just a low app time limit.
The app should not have to already exist on the iPhone.

Prerequisites

In order to block an app with supervised mode, there are a few prerequisites:

The iPhone has supervised mode enabled. Learn how to configure supervised mode .

You have either a Mac computer or Windows computer that you can connect the iPhone to with a charging cable.

If you've already gone through the process of supervising an iPhone, then you should be able to follow this guide.

Enable Supervised Mode on iOS

Reliably enforce content blocking on an iPhone

Supervised App Blocking Approaches

There are two approaches to blocking apps using device supervision for iOS:

App Blocklists
App Allowlists

To create your own lists, we recommend using our Supervised App blocker for iOS to easily search for and add apps to your own list. Tech Lockdown members can access these tools on the dashboard by going to Tools > iPhone > App Management.

First, choose whether you want to create an App Blocklist or Allowlist. For the vast majority of people, we recommend blocking only specific apps with a Blocklist. If you're trying to achieve a dumb iPhone setup, then you can consider using an App Allowlist to block all but a small collection of apps.

Use the search functionality to add apps to your list. Note that apps do not need to be already installed onto your iPhone in order to add them to the list. You can block any app that could be downloaded on the iPhone.

Download the list to your iPhone. You have the option to download the list by scanning a QR code or by manually downloading the file.

Install the downloaded list onto your supervised iPhone.

After a few seconds, the apps are now blocked and hidden on your iPhone.

These apps are completely blocked and can't be accessed, even when using the App Store to search for the blocked app.

Reliably Block Apps on iOS

Native app blocking for supervised devices

Blocking Web Versions of an App

You should be aware that many applications have a web version of that app available as well. It's possible that the app could be accessed via Safari or another web browser on the iPhone. An app blocklist would only account for the version of the app downloaded from the app store.

To account for these situations, you might want to consider blocking social media domains as well to limit access via the browser.

That's why we recommend combining supervised App Management Tools with a DNS Content Policy . You can disable the internet connection for both the web version and app store version of an app in a comprehensive way with this app blocking approach.

Furthermore, you can block entire app categories and selectively allow apps within that category.

This blocking approach works on all kinds of other devices as well and you can manage these block rules in a single unified dashboard.

Another advantage to this approach is that you can schedule app usage on all kinds of devices to disable the internet connection for the app store or web version of apps that you specify depending on the schedule you specify.

This approach works great alongside supervised app blocklists. By blocking both the domain and app, you've effectively made it impossible to access these apps.

Create a DNS Content Policy

Enforce content filtering rules on all your devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enable Supervised mode on an iPad?

Yes. Supervised mode applies to most iOS devices, like iPhones and iPads.

How do I enable Supervised mode on an iPhone or iPad?

In general, you will reset the iPhone and use device supervision software on a connected Mac or Windows device to prepare the iPhone.

For the exact steps and process, check out our guides .

How do I get started with App Management Tools?

The first step is to become a Tech Lockdown member .

Next, you'll need to enable supervised mode on your iPhone. See our premium guides for more information.

After supervised mode is enabled, create and install your App Blocklists or Allowlists by going to Tools > iPhone > App Management.