How to block Instagram on a computer or phone

Featured in

    Learn how to block Instagram on a computer or phone to minimize screen time and boost productivity.

    How to block Instagram on a computer or phone

    Many Instagram users admit they can spend hours on their phones, scrolling through their feeds and exploring pages. Social media apps, like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, might be fun, but they can easily distract you from your daily tasks and responsibilities.

    If you’re looking for a way to block Instagram on your computer or phone, you’ve come to the right place.

    How to block Instagram on iPhone

    If you’re an iPhone user, these are two common ways to block Instagram on your phone.

    Use Downtime Schedule

    One of the easiest ways to block Instagram is to use the Downtime Schedule feature on your iPhone. This is how it works:

    1. Go to “Settings” on your home screen.

    2. Find “Screen Time.”

    3. Tap on “Downtime” and enable this option.

    4. Proceed to “Scheduled” to choose the start and end of the Downtime Schedule.

    5. Tick “Every Day.”

    Once you set this up, you won’t be able to use the Instagram app until the Downtime period is over.

    Set app limits

    Another way to restrict your Instagram account is to set limits on your iOS device. This is what you need to do:

    1. Open Settings on your iPhone.

    2. Head over to “Screen Time.”

    3. Tap on “App Limits.”

    4. Choose the “Add Limit” option.

    5. Select the “Social” category.

    6. Tap on “Instagram” and go to “Next” in the top-right corner.

    7. Set the timer for the app limit.

    8. Tap on “Add” in the upper-right corner.

    The time limit you choose is the amount of time you have until the app is blocked. If you want to unblock Instagram, you must go back to settings and delete the app limit.

    How to block Instagram on Android

    If you have an Android device, here are a couple of ways to block the Instagram app.

    Use Digital Wellbeing

    Digital Wellbeing is an app that lets you block apps. If you want to use this app to block Instagram, this is what you have to do:

    1. Download Digital Wellbeing from Google Play.

    2. Open the app and go to “Dashboard.”

    3. Locate Instagram on the list of apps and tap on it.

    4. Choose “Set App Timer.”

    5. Set the timer to your preference.

    6. Tap on the “OK” option.

    The app works by allowing you to use a certain app for a limited time. For example, if you set a 20-minute limit, you won’t be able to use the app once the time is up.

    Set Google Play Store restrictions

    Another way to block Instagram on your Android is to set Google Play Store Restrictions. This is what you need to do:

    1. Run Google Play on your Android device.

    2. Tap on your profile picture in the upper-right corner.

    3. Proceed to “Settings,” followed by “Family.”

    4. Find “Parental Controls” and enable this option.

    5. Set a pin for Parental Controls.

    6. Locate Instagram on the list of apps.

    7. Decide what type of content you want to restrict.

    This method can be used for other mobile apps, games, music, and movies.

    How to block Instagram on your computer

    If you want to block Instagram on your Windows computer, the following methods can help you limit social media screen time.

    Use host files

    An easy way to block websites like Instagram is by editing your hosts file. A hosts file is a local file on your computer that translates long and complex domain names into computer-readable IP addresses. Follow these steps to get started:

    1. Go to the search bar in the bottom-left corner and type in “Notepad.”

    2. Choose “Run as administrator” on the pop-up menu.

    3. Copy this command “c:windowssystem32drivers” and paste it into the file explorer.

    4. Double-click the “hosts” file.

    5. Click on “All Files (*.*)” in the bottom-right corner.

    6. Scroll to the end of the “hosts” file and type in 127.0.0.1 “www.instagram.com.”

    7. Navigate to the “File” tab and choose “Save.”

    This is a great method to block sites that distract you, not just Instagram.

    Set a Group Policy

    Another way to block Instagram on your Windows computer is by configuring the Group Policy settings. Follow this step-by-step plan to see how it’s done:

    1. Type in “gpedit” in the search bar.

    2. Click on “Edit Group Policy,” which will take you to Control Panel.

    3. Proceed to “User Configuration” and then to “Policies.”

    4. Go to “Internet Explorer Maintenance” in “Window Settings.”

    5. Click on “Security,” followed by “Security Zones and Content Ratings.”

    6. Continue to the “Import the current Content Ratings” settings.

    7. The next option is “Modify Settings.”

    8. Select “Approved Sites” and find Instagram.

    9. Right-click on “Allow this website” and select “Never.”

    Changing Group Policy settings doesn’t just help you limit social media distractions. You can also use this method to block specific websites you don’t want your children to use.

    Speechify – Enhance productivity with text to speech

    If you’re looking for new ways to increase your productivity, Speechify can help you.

    Speechify is a text to speech tool that reads aloud digital text using natural-sounding voices. You can use Speechify to listen to news articles, study materials, emails, or other types of text. What’s more, you can do it while completing other daily tasks.

    You can install Speechify as a web browser extension, desktop app, or mobile app. It’s available on Android and iOS devices.

    If you want to see how it works, try Speechify for free today.

    FAQ

    Can you block on Instagram by device?

    If you want to block Instagram on all your devices, you must do it separately for each device. Some app restriction methods only work with apps, while others apply to specific websites.

    Can I block Instagram on my child’s phone?

    You can set up parental controls on your child’s phone to restrict explicit and inappropriate content. You can also install an app blocker on their phone.

    Why is Instagram blocked on my computer?

    There could be a few reasons why Instagram is blocked on your computer. Your IP address may have been flagged as an open proxy. It’s also possible someone blocked Instagram on your computer using one of the two methods we explained above.

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

    Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

    Recent Blogs

    • Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Arrow
    • Voice changer for Discord
      Voice changer for Discord
      Arrow
    • How to download YouTube audio
      How to download YouTube audio
      Arrow
    • Speechify 3.0 Released.
      Speechify 3.0 is the Best Text to Speech App Yet.
      Arrow
    • Voice API
      Voice API: Everything You Need to Know
      Arrow
    • Text to audio
      Best text to speech generator apps
      Arrow
    • The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      Arrow
    • Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Arrow
    • Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Everything to Know About Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Arrow
    • Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Arrow
    • How to listen to scientific papers
      How to listen to scientific papers
      Arrow
    • How to add music to CapCut
      How to add music to CapCut
      Arrow
    • What is CapCut?
      What is CapCut?
      Arrow
    • VEED vs. InVideo
      VEED vs. InVideo
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Arrow
    • Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Hour One
      HeyGen vs. Hour One
      Arrow
    • Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • What is Speech AI: Explained
      What is Speech AI: Explained
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The Best Celebrity Voice Generators in 2024
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      YouTube Text to Speech: Elevating Your Video Content with Speechify
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 7 best alternatives to Synthesia.io
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Everything you need to know about text to speech on TikTok
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 10 best text-to-speech apps for Android
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to convert a PDF to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top girl voice changers
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use Siri text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Obama text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Robot Voice Generators: The Futuristic Frontier of Audio Creation
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Read Aloud: Free & Paid Options
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Alternatives to FakeYou text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      All About Deepfake Voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      TikTok voice generator
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech GoAnimate
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The best celebrity text to speech voice generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Audio Reader
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to get text to speech Indian voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Elevating Your Anime Experience with Anime Voice Generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best text to speech online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 50 movies based on books you should read
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Download audio
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use text-to-speech for Quandale Dingle meme sounds
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 5 apps that read out text
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top female text to speech voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Female voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Sonic text to speech voice generator online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best AI voice generators – The Ultimate List
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech in Powerpoint
      Arrow
    footer-waves