How to Schedule Blocking on Mac

Parental Control is a password-protected app and website blocker for Mac. It helps parents and families block distracting or inappropriate websites and apps, manage screen time, and set clear boundaries on a child’s Mac. It can also help adults who want stronger self-imposed restrictions.

This guide explains how to schedule website and app blocking on Mac with Parental Control. You will learn how to create one-time blocks and recurring schedules for websites and apps.

What You Can Do with Scheduling

Scheduling helps you apply website and app blocking automatically at the times you choose.

With Parental Control, you can:

  • Start a block immediately as a one-time session
  • Create recurring blocking schedules, such as Monday to Friday
  • Permanently block XXX websites on your child’s Mac
  • Create separate block lists for different routines, such as homework or bedtime
  • Block websites across supported browsers
  • Block apps
  • Protect your settings with a password so blocks cannot be canceled without it

Website blocking works across supported browsers: Safari, Google Chrome, Brave, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

If needed, unsupported browsers can be blocked as apps instead.

Free and Pro Scheduling Features

Parental Control offers basic website and app blocking for free. The free plan lets you block for up to 6 hours at a time, with unlimited sessions. Parental Control Pro adds recurring schedules and other advanced blocking features.

Learn more on Pricing.

Create Different Schedules for Homework, Bedtime, or Screen Time

With Parental Control Pro, you can create separate block lists for different purposes or schedules. This helps you keep your rules simple and organized.

For example, you might create:

  • One block list for homework time
  • One block list for bedtime
  • One block list for social media
  • One block list for games or entertainment apps
  • One separate block list for XXX websites

This can be useful if you want different website or app blocking rules at different times of day.

How to Start a One-Time Block

Use Quick Start if you want to block websites or apps temporarily.

Steps:

  1. Open Parental Control. If you do not have it yet, download it from the Mac App Store.
  2. To prevent changes later, create a password under Password in the toolbar.
  3. Add the apps and/or websites you want to block.
  4. Open the Schedule tab.
  5. Under Quick Start, choose how long the block should last.
  6. Click Start Blocking.
  7. Test your settings:
    • Open a supported browser.
    • Visit a website you blocked.
    • Confirm that the website is blocked. You should see the Parental Control logo.

Please note:

  • The free plan supports blocks of up to 6 hours at a time.
  • If you need longer blocks or recurring schedules, Parental Control Pro is required.

How to Create a Recurring Blocking Schedule

Parental Control Pro supports recurring schedules for website and app blocking on Mac. For example, you can create a schedule for Monday to Friday during homework hours.

Here is an example schedule from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00.

Steps:

  1. Open Parental Control. If you do not have it yet, download it from the Mac App Store.
  2. Subscribe to Parental Control Pro.
  3. To prevent changes later, create a password under Password in the toolbar.
  4. Add the apps and/or websites you want to block.
  5. Open the Schedule tab.
  6. Click the + button under Schedule.
  7. Set the Start time to 09:00 and the End time to 17:00.
  8. Set Repeat to Mo–Fr.
  9. Test your settings by trying to open a blocked website in a supported browser or a blocked app.

You can adjust the schedule to match your family’s routine, such as homework time, bedtime, or other daily limits.

How to Block Websites and Apps Permanently

If you want blocking to stay active on a recurring basis, you can create a recurring schedule.

You can also set up these options as separate block lists if you want different permanent blocking rules for different situations.

Option 1

For a full-day block that does not continue into the next day, use a schedule from 00:00 to 23:59.

This is useful if you want to reinforce homework routines during school days, for example.

Steps:

  1. Open Parental Control. If you do not have it yet, download it from the Mac App Store.
  2. Subscribe to Parental Control Pro.
  3. To prevent changes later, create a password under Password in the toolbar.
  4. Add the apps and/or websites you want to block.
  5. Open the Schedule tab.
  6. Click the + button under Schedule.
  7. Set the Start time to 00:00 and the End time to 23:59.
  8. Set Repeat to Mo - Fr.
  9. Test your settings by trying to open a blocked website in a supported browser or a blocked app.

Please note:

  • Permanent blocking through scheduling requires Parental Control Pro.
  • If a password is set, schedule changes require the password.

Option 2 - Permanently Block XXX

If you want the block to continue into the next day, set the End time earlier than the Start time. For example, set Start to 08:01 and End to 08:00, then set Repeat to Daily.

This is useful if you want to permanently block porn websites on your child’s Mac.

Steps:

  1. Open Parental Control. If you do not have it yet, download it from the Mac App Store.
  2. Subscribe to Parental Control Pro.
  3. To prevent changes later, create a password under Password in the toolbar.
  4. Add the apps and/or websites you want to block.
  5. Open the Schedule tab.
  6. Click the + button under Schedule.
  7. Set Start to 08:01 and End to 08:00.
  8. Set Repeat to Daily.
  9. Test your settings by trying to open a blocked website in a supported browser or a blocked app.

Please note:

  • Permanent blocking through scheduling requires Parental Control Pro.
  • If a password is set, schedule changes require the password.
  • If the End time is earlier than the Start time, the block continues into the next day.

Website Blocking and App Blocking Work Differently

Website blocking and app blocking are separate features:

  • If you add a website to Blocked Websites, Parental Control blocks that website in supported browsers. Learn more about blocking websites on Mac.
  • If you add a browser or another app to Apps, Parental Control blocks the entire app. Learn more about blocking apps on Mac.

This means you can:

  • Block a specific website without blocking the whole browser
  • Block an unsupported browser by adding it under Apps
  • Combine website blocking and app blocking in the same schedule

Troubleshooting

If blocking does not work as expected, try the following:

  • Make sure the website URL is entered correctly in “Blocked Websites”.
  • Make sure you started a blocking session in “Schedule” after adding websites to “Blocked Websites”, or make sure your recurring schedule has reached its start time.
  • Make sure you are using a supported browser: Safari, Google Chrome, Brave, Microsoft Edge, or Opera.
  • Website blocking works in supported browsers. To block an unsupported browser, add it under “Apps”.
  • Make sure Parental Control has permission to access your web browsers:
    • Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation → Parental Control.
    • Enable all web browsers listed there.
  • Restart your web browser.
  • Restart your Mac.
  • Uninstall Parental Control, delete it from the Trash, and reinstall it from the Mac App Store.
  • If you are using recurring schedules, make sure Parental Control Pro is enabled.
  • If you want to prevent changes later, make sure a password is set under Password in the toolbar.

If you still need help, contact support.

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