Have you ever tried to visit a website on your iPhone only to be greeted with a frustrating message like, “This website is restricted,” or “Safari cannot open the page”? It’s annoying! Whether you’re trying to access your favorite blog, a work-related site, or just something you stumbled upon, getting blocked can feel like hitting a digital roadblock.
How to unblock this website on your iPhone then?
This guide will walk you through some general reasons for website blocks, the error messages you might encounter, and a step-by-step guide on how to unblock a website on iPhone and get you back online.
1. Parental Controls or Screen Time Restrictions
This is one of the most common reasons for blocking websites. Apple’s Screen Time feature is great for limiting distractions and managing content, but it can also block websites—sometimes unintentionally. This is especially common if you’ve set restrictions for explicit content or specific websites.
Common Error Messages:
- “You cannot browse this page at ‘example.com’ because it is restricted.”
- “This website is not allowed.”
How to Remove Screen Time Restrictions?
If you cannot access some websites because of parental controls on your iPhone, here’s how to fix it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- If prompted, enter your Screen Time passcode.
- Tap Content Restrictions > Web Content.
- Select Unrestricted Access or manually allow the blocked website by tapping Add Website under the “Allowed Websites” section.
2. JavaScript or Cookies Disabled
Some websites rely on JavaScript and cookies to function properly. If these are disabled in Safari, the website may not load or work on your iPhone as expected.
Generally, you might see the following messages if you cannot open certain websites because of cookies or java script issues.
- “Safari cannot open the page because it could not establish a secure connection to the server.”
- “This page requires JavaScript to function.”
Many websites need JavaScript for interactive features and cookies for personalization. Without these, the site might not load properly.
How to Enable JavaScript and Cookies for Blocked Sites?
Enabling JavaScript and cookies ensures that websites can load all their features.
- Go to Settings > Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data.
- Tap Clear History and Data to confirm.
- Scroll down and tap Advanced.
- Toggle on JavaScript.
- Return to the main Safari settings and make sure Block All Cookies is turned off.
3. Unblock a Website on iPhone for IP Blocking
Some websites block specific IP addresses, especially if they detect suspicious activity or if the content is restricted to certain regions. You know, you cannot open TikTok in some countries and you will see “This video is not available in your country on Netflix”, all because of IP blocking.
Common Error Messages:
- “This app is not available in your region.”
- “Access denied: Your IP address has been blocked.”
Solution: Use a VPN to Bypass IP Blocking
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can mask your IP address and let you access region-restricted content by spoofing your location.
Here is how you can unblock a website on iPhone using VPN:
- Download a reliable VPN app like BearVPN from the App Store.
- Choose a server location from the list (preferably one in a region where the website is accessible).
- Tap to Connect.
- Try accessing the website again.
VPNs also encrypt your internet traffic, which adds an extra layer of security while browsing.
4. Website Blocked by ISP Filtering
Sometimes, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) blocks websites due to local regulations, copyright issues, or other policies.
Common Error Messages:
- “This site has been blocked by your ISP.”
- “Access to this website is restricted.”
How to Change Your DNS Settings for Site Unblocking?
You can bypass ISP filters by switching to a public DNS server like Google’s.
- Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap the info icon (ℹ️) next to your connected network.
- Scroll down and tap Configure DNS.
- Select Manual.
- Add Google’s DNS servers:
- 8.8.8.8
- 8.8.4.4
- Save your settings and try accessing the website again.
DNS servers translate website names into IP addresses. Using a public DNS can bypass ISP restrictions and improve browsing speed.
5. The Website’s Server is Down
Sometimes, the issue isn’t on your end at all. If the website’s server is down, you won’t be able to access it no matter what you do.
Common Error Messages:
- “Safari cannot open the page because the server cannot be found.”
- “This site is temporarily unavailable.”
How to Check the Website’s Status
If you cannot access a website, you can simply check if the website is down for everyone or just you by these steps:
- Visit a website status checker like DownDetector or IsItDownRightNow.
- Enter the URL of the website you’re trying to access.
- If the site is down, wait for the server to come back online.
Try accessing the site from another device or network to confirm if the issue is server-related.
Final Thoughts
Understanding why your iPhone is blocking a website is the first step to fixing the problem. Whether it’s Screen Time restrictions, disabled JavaScript, or an IP block, each issue has a specific solution. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to unblock websites on your iPhone and get back to browsing in no time.
If you found this guide on how to unblock a website on iPhone helpful, feel free to share it with others who might be facing the same problem. And if you have any additional tips or tricks, drop them in the comments below—I’d love to hear them!
