iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Use System Settings > Screen Time > Apps & Websites > Restrictions on your Mac. Choose Limit Adult Websites for Apple’s filter with custom site controls, or Approved Websites Only to allow just sites you name. In the same area, block Installing Apps to prevent app installation through the restricted account.
How do I block adult websites on a Mac?
- Open System Settings, then go to Screen Time > Apps & Websites > Restrictions. Apple’s [Screen Time settings guide] and [Restrictions guide] describe these controls. Labels can vary by macOS release or region.
- Under Websites, select Limit Adult Websites. Apple describes this as automatically limiting access to many adult websites; it is a filter, not a guarantee that every adult site will be blocked.
- Use Customize to add specific websites to the allowed or restricted lists. This lets you adjust the filter for sites that should be treated differently.
Choose a website mode
| Mode | What it does | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Access | Permits any website. | No website filtering. |
| Limit Adult Websites | Filters many adult websites and supports custom allowed and restricted entries. | A broad filter that still permits general web access. |
| Approved Websites Only | Allows only websites on the approved list. | A strict policy where access should be limited to named sites. |
To permit only selected sites, choose Approved Websites Only under Websites, then maintain the approved list. Apple documents both website modes in its [App Store, Media, Web & Games settings guide].
How do I stop app downloads on a Mac?
- Open System Settings > Screen Time > Apps & Websites > Restrictions.
- In Features and Restrictions, block Installing Apps.
- If available, use age-rating controls to limit apps by rating. Apple cautions that macOS apps do not always have an individual age rating, so ratings may not cover every app.
- Where ratings do not express the rule you need, use app-specific blocking or allowing controls where available.
Apple’s [Apps & Websites Restrictions guide] covers installation and related restriction options.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Set restrictions for a child in Family Sharing
When managing a child’s Mac through Family Sharing, open Screen Time and select the child from the Family Member menu before applying restrictions. A parent or guardian can manage settings related to installing and deleting apps, and review purchase and download requests. Apple’s [App Store content restrictions guide] and [Screen Time setup guide] explain these options.
#1 Best Overall
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
If the Family Member selector is missing, Apple’s setup guidance says to sign in to an Apple Account and use Family Sharing. Screen Time’s website and installation controls apply to the account being restricted; the cited Apple instructions do not establish that they prevent every route to adult content or every way restrictions might be circumvented.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![WavePad Audio Editing Software - Professional Audio and Music Editor for Anyone [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/B1fcLEGCs6S.png._SL160_.png)
- Full-featured professional audio and music editor that lets you record and edit music, voice and other audio recordings
- Add effects like echo, amplification, noise reduction, normalize, equalizer, envelope, reverb, echo, reverse and more
- Supports all popular audio formats including, wav, mp3, vox, gsm, wma, real audio, au, aif, flac, ogg and more
- Sound editing functions include cut, copy, paste, delete, insert, silence, auto-trim and more
- Integrated VST plugin support gives professionals access to thousands of additional tools and effects
Rank #4
- ALL-IN-ONE PROTECTION – award-winning antivirus, total online protection, works across compatible devices, Identity Monitoring, Secure VPN
- SCAM DETECTOR – Automatic scam alerts, powered by the same AI technology in our antivirus, spot risky texts, emails, and deepfakes videos
- SECURE VPN – Secure and private browsing, unlimited VPN, privacy on public Wi-Fi, protects your personal info, fast and reliable connections
- PERSONAL DATA SCAN - Scans for personal info, finds old online accounts and people search sites, helps remove data that’s sold to mailing lists, scammers, robocallers
- SOCIAL PRIVACY MANAGER - helps adjust more than 100 social media privacy settings to safeguard personal information
Rank #3
![MixPad Multitrack Recording Software for Sound Mixing and Music Production Free [Mac Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51kaO82jYOL._SL160_.jpg)
- Mix an audio, music and voice tracks
- Record single or multiple tracks simultaneously
- Intuitive tools to split, trim, join, and many other editing features
- Loaded with audio effects including EQ, compression, reverb, and more.
- Load an audio file and export to all popular audio formats from studio quality wav to high compression formats
Rank #2
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few clicks, and your info stays protected on public Wi-Fi every time you connect.
- PERSONAL DATA SCANS – Take your info off the market. We’ll find your personal information on sites selling it, then guide you on how to remove it.
- SOCIAL PRIVACY MANAGER – Decide what you share. McAfee finds the privacy settings buried in your social accounts and fixes them.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
