SafeSearch
How to Force SafeSearch on iPhone
Learn how to force SafeSearch on an iPhone and prevent the setting from being disabled.
If you are trying to restrict access to explicit online content on an iPhone or iPad, enforcing SafeSearch is a critical step. Although it's possible to block websites discovered through searching online, it's still helpful to limit what results can be found with a search. This is especially important considering that search engines like Google have a video and image search feature, so it's important to limit those results. In this guide, I'll breakdown how to properly enforce SafeSearch on iOS so that a user of the device can't bypass the restriction.
Force SafeSearch on Safari with Screen Time
Screen Time can be used to force Apple's built-in content filter on iPhone devices. This can be fairly easily disabled if you know what you're doing, so consider supervised mode for a more enforceable alternative.
While this is a solid option, I'd recommend using supervised mode instead.
Reliably Protect SafeSearch Settings with Supervised Mode
The most reliable way to turn on SafeSearch, and to prevent an iPhone or iPad user from turning off this mode, is to enable supervised mode on the iOS device. This allows you to protect certain iPhone settings , like SafeSearch.
First, you need to enable supervised mode on the iOS device. Supervised mode unlocks powerful features on your iPhone that are especially helpful if you're an adult managing your own restrictions. Once this mode is enabled on the device, you can easily install config files that enforce settings in a way that can't be overridden.
Config Files need to be configured and created with an Apple Config Generator . To generate a config file that enables SafeSearch, make sure that Apple's adult content filter is enabled.
As an example, here's what it looks like when using Tech Lockdown's Config Generator:
Supervised Mode is required to properly enable and enforce Config Files.
Force SafeSearch on supported Search Engines using a DNS Content Policy
Another way to toggle on SafeSearch is to use a DNS SafeSearch rule. This approach can be used alongside the supervised approach I mentioned above. In fact, this enforcement approach is an ideal compliment because it has a few additional advantages:
- Block search engines that don't have a SafeSearch mode
- Enforce SafeSearch across all web browsers
- Enforce SafeSearch on all supported search engines, such as Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Brave Search.
First, create a Content Policy and add a SafeSearch rule. Consider blocking categories of content in addition to the SafeSearch rule.
If you're trying to block porn on iPhone , you should restrict the Adult Themes website categories in addition to the SafeSearch rule.
Next, connect the iOS device to your Content Policy using an always-on VPN. Most DNS services, like Tech Lockdown, provide an app that connects this device.
After connecting via VPN, the supported search engines should have the SafeSearch mode toggled on and protected.
Next, it's important to enforce this VPN connection so that the iPhone user can't turn it off or override it with a conflicting VPN. If the Content Filtering VPN is disabled, SafeSearch may not be enforced properly. Fortunately, it's possible to completely protect the Content Filter VPN provided by Tech Lockdown by installing the provided Supervised Config Files. Here's how the connection is enforced:
- Prevent deleting or turning off the VPN connection in the iPhone settings app
- Disable the ability to uninstall the VPN app , which is responsible for keeping the VPN connection established.
- Prevent apps downloaded from the App Store from being able to add a conflicting VPN connection . This would stop the user from switching to an unfiltered connection or overriding the content filtering VPN connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I block Search Engines that don't support SafeSearch?
Using a DNS Content Policy , you can block the Search Engines category and then add a SafeSearch rule with the allowed search engines specified.