How do I block adult websites on my phone PERMANENTLY?

I’ve tried the basic "Screen Time" settings and "Digital Wellbeing" filters, but let's be honest—it’s way too easy to just toggle them off when I'm feeling weak. The "I'll just change the passcode" trick doesn't work because I still know the passcode.

I’m looking for a "scorched earth" method. I want it to be as difficult as possible to bypass, even if I have a momentary lapse in willpower.

Device: iPhone 15 (iOS) and a spare Android (Pixel 7).

Goal: Total lockout. If it requires a friend to hold a master password or some deep DNS level stuff, I'm all ears.

Please don't just suggest "self-control." If I had that, I wouldn't be posting here. Help a brother out.

If you’re serious about the "scorched earth" approach and need something that actually monitors the content inside apps (where most of the stuff is hidden nowadays), check out VigilKids.

I use it for my kid's devices, but honestly, it’s a beast for self-accountability too. Most filters just block URLs, but this one has Real-Time Screen View and AI detection for harmful images/videos.

The "Accountability Partner" Move: You can sync it up and have a trusted friend monitor the dashboard. Since it tracks WhatsApp and social media content specifically, it’s much harder to "sneak" around compared to a basic DNS filter.

Remote Control: It lets you lock the device or check the surroundings if you're triggered.

It’s definitely a step up from basic Screen Time if you feel like you’ve outgrown the standard iPhone/Android blocks.

A lot of the "urge" is triggered by the vibrant, high-contrast colors of modern screens. You can effectively "kill" the dopamine hit by turning your phone into a 1950s black-and-white newspaper.

iOS: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters > Turn on Grayscale.

Android: Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Bedtime Mode (or search "Simulate color space" in Developer Options).

Why it works: Adult sites and social media apps are designed to be visually addictive. When everything is grey and boring, your brain stops seeking that "hit." It’s much easier to close a tab when it looks like a boring PDF.

I would put VigilKids on the comparison list if you need browser activity monitoring. Just be realistic about what any parental-control app can do: compatibility and permissions matter, and it cannot unlock another adult's private account.

Built-in tools are the first layer, but they are not always enough for families that need stronger oversight.

Start with Screen Time or Family Link, add DNS/content filtering, lock the admin passcode, and keep a visible family rule about what is being monitored.

I would verify that point against the device settings before installing another app.

The safest order is simple: Start with Screen Time or Family Link, add DNS/content filtering, lock the admin passcode, and keep a visible family rule about what is being monitored. If a service cannot explain its requirements and limits, leave it out of the comparison.

Start with Screen Time or Family Link, add DNS/content filtering, lock the admin passcode, and keep a visible family rule about what is being monitored.

I would document what you checked so you do not repeat the same step or hand credentials to a site out of frustration.

With Parental Control & Child Safety parental controls, timing matters here. Built-in controls and third-party parental tools solve different parts of the problem. The useful comparison is what can be restricted, what can be reported, how easily settings can be changed, and whether the child understands the family rule.

If the relevant sharing, backup, export, or monitoring feature was not active before the event, a new app installed afterward usually cannot reconstruct the missing history.

My honest take: start with the official method, check what was already enabled, and ignore guaranteed shortcuts. If a service cannot explain its requirements and limits, leave it out of the comparison.

I would verify that point against the app's compatibility page before installing another app.