Tired of using Instagram all the time? So are we. Sometimes. It can be hard to resist looking at all those cute cat videos. Don’t worry, though, because in this article, you are going to learn how to block Instagram on iPhone.
There are three ways to block Instagram on iPhone:
- Enable “Downtime” in the “Screen Time” settings.
- Set a limit to how long you can use Instagram.
- Block Instagram from the App Store.
There’s no need to download any additional app to do this as you can handle all three methods straight from your iPhone settings. Below, we have provided step-by-step instructions on how to manage your Instagram usage.
Table of Contents
Method 1: How to Block Instagram on iPhone by Setting App Limit
The best way to stop yourself from constantly opening the Instagram app is by setting an app limit. Here’s how you can do that:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down a little and tap Screen Time.
- Under the “Limit Usage” section, tap App Limits.
- Tap Add Limit.
- A list of app categories will appear. Tap the arrow next to Social to expand it, choose Instagram, and tap Next.
- Select the time for how long you want to block Instagram on your iPhone. For this guide, we are going to choose 1 hour.
- You can also select the days on which to apply the limit by tapping Customise Days. For example, you can set a limit of 1 hour on the weekdays and 3 hours on the weekends.
- When you’re done adjusting the time limits for each day, go back and tap Add.
- Once you reach the time limit you’ve set for yourself, a notification will pop up saying, “You’ve reached your limit on Instagram.” Tap OK to go back to the home screen or select Ignore Limit to continue watching cat videos on the app.
- If you tap Ignore Limit, you’ll get the option to extend it by one minute, 15 minutes, or for the entire day.
Method 2: Enabling Downtime to Block Instagram
Enabling Downtime on your iPhone will prevent you from using all apps during the scheduled time. Here’s how you can turn it on:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap Downtime under “Limit Usage.”
- Tap Turn On Downtime Until Tomorrow if you don’t want to set a specific schedule.
- If you want to set a schedule, tap Scheduled and then choose Time.
- Select the start and end times for when you want to enable Downtime.
- If you want to change Downtime for a specific day, tap Customise Days and then select the day you want to change.
After enabling Downtime, all apps will be greyed out. If you attempt to open Instagram, it’ll tell you that you’ve reached your limit on the app.
Method 3: Blocking Instagram on the App Store
Let’s be honest. Just limiting app usage might not be enough for most people to break the cycle. That’s why we recommend blocking it directly from the App Store. Here’s how you can do that:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Scroll down and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions under the “Restrictions” section.
- Enable the Content & Privacy Restrictions toggle.
- Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
- To prevent app purchases and re-downloads, tap Installing Apps and choose Don’t Allow.
Note that this method will not delete Instagram from your iPhone if it’s already installed. It’ll simply prevent you from re-downloading it from the App Store.
Below, we have added a video that walks you through all three methods we have talked about in this article.
Get Rid of Instagram to Improve Your Life
We all know how addictive Instagram can be. That’s why it’s so important to limit your usage and you can do that easily without having to download any app.
You can either enable Downtime or set a limit to how long you can use the app on your phone.
If neither method works, then we recommend blocking it from the App Store so you can’t re-download it. Keep in mind that it’ll take time to break the habit, but with persistence and determination, you can regain control of your time and focus on what truly matters in your life (unless what matters in your life is running a business on Instagram). In case you find it impossible to quit Instagram, then we recommend that you turn on red light on your iPhone to reduce eye strain.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there’s no need to download or purchase an app to block Instagram on your iPhone. You can easily do it within your phone’s settings by enabling Downtime or setting a limit to how long you can use Instagram.
No, blocking Instagram from the App Store will prevent you from downloading it again but it will not remove the app from your device if it’s already installed. You’ll need to manually delete it from your device if you want to remove it completely.
