Block Apps on Mac

Some apps can make it harder for children to stay focused, follow routines, or take breaks from screens. With Parental Control, you can block apps on a Mac and protect those restrictions with a password, so they cannot be changed without your approval.

This guide shows how to set up app blocking for everyday situations such as homework time, bedtime, or reducing access to games and other distracting apps.

When App Blocking Can Help

Blocking apps can be useful when you want to:

  • limit access to games, chat apps, or entertainment apps
  • reduce distractions during homework or study time
  • support bedtime and other daily routines
  • make a shared family Mac easier to manage
  • create self-imposed limits on your own Mac

Parental Control is designed for Mac and helps you set clear, password-protected restrictions without monitoring activity.

Set Up App Blocking in Parental Control

Steps (about 5 minutes)

  1. Download Parental Control on the Mac you want to protect.
  2. Open Parental Control.
  3. Set a password:
    • Click “Password” in the toolbar.
    • Enter a password under “New password”.
    • Enter it again under “Confirm password”.
    • Click “Confirm”.
    • Store the password in a safe place. You will need it to change the settings later.
  4. Open the “Apps” tab.
  5. Select Block these apps.
  6. Click the + button under Apps. A dialog will appear.
  7. Add the apps you want to restrict.
  8. Open the “Schedule” tab.
  9. Choose when the restriction should apply:
    • start a block immediately under “Quick Start”, or
    • create a recurring schedule for specific days and times

Once the schedule is active, the selected apps will be blocked during those times.

Want to block websites too? See our guide: How to Block a Website on Mac.

How to Block Access to All Apps Except Specific Ones

If you want to allow only certain apps, you can use Block all apps except these. This is useful if your child should only be able to use a small set of apps, such as school or learning apps.

Note: This feature requires Parental Control Pro.

  1. Download Parental Control on the Mac you want to protect.
  2. Subscribe to Parental Control Pro.
  3. Open Parental Control.
  4. Set a password:
    • Click “Password” in the toolbar.
    • Enter a password under “New password”.
    • Enter it again under “Confirm password”.
    • Click “Confirm”.
    • Store the password in a safe place.
  5. Open the “Apps” tab.
  6. Select Block all apps except these.
  7. Click the + button under Apps. A dialog will appear.
  8. Add the apps you want to allow.
  9. Open the “Schedule” tab.
  10. Choose when the restriction should apply:
    • start a block immediately, or
    • create a recurring schedule for specific days and times

Once the schedule is active, only the selected apps will remain available during those times.

Choose Which Apps to Restrict

A simple starting point is to block only the apps that cause the most problems first.

Examples include:

  • games
  • streaming apps
  • social media apps
  • chat or messaging apps
  • web browsers you do not want your child to use

If needed, you can expand the list later.

Build a Routine Around App Limits

App blocking often works best when it matches a clear routine.

For example, you might block entertainment apps:

  • during school hours
  • during homework time
  • at night
  • before school in the morning

Using scheduled restrictions can make expectations more predictable and reduce daily arguments about screen time.

Check That Blocking Works

After you finish setup, test the restriction:

  1. Make sure a block is currently active.
  2. Try opening one of the blocked apps.
  3. Confirm that access is restricted.

If the app still opens normally, review your settings and check the troubleshooting section below.

If You Want Stronger Restrictions

For a more restricted setup, you can combine app blocking with website blocking.

This can help if your child switches from an app to a browser version of the same service. For example, if a streaming app is blocked, they may still try to access the same service in a web browser unless that website is also blocked.

See also: How to Block a Website on Mac

Advanced Options

Parental Control offers a free plan that supports blocking for up to 6 hours at a time. If you need longer blocking periods or more advanced scheduling options, Parental Control Pro may be a better fit.

Pro can be useful for longer school-day schedules, evening routines, or recurring weekday restrictions.

Troubleshooting

If app blocking is not working as expected, try the following:

If you still need help, contact support.

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