How to Block Apps on Android and IOS

In today’s mobile-first world, managing and securing devices goes beyond traditional computers. The ability to block apps on Android and iOS devices is crucial for IT administrators. Whether you’re aiming to boost productivity or ensure compliance with company policies, blocking apps plays a vital role. This document provides a comprehensive guide on how to block apps on Android and iOS devices using NinjaOne.

How to Block Apps on Android and iOS With NinjaOne

NinjaOne streamlines app blocking for both Android and iOS devices using its intuitive interface and powerful Mobile Device Management (MDM) capabilities. Follow these steps to block apps effectively:

1. Access MDM Policies:

  • In the left navigation pane, go to Administration.
  • Select Policies and choose MDM Policies from the dropdown.

Access MDM Policies

2. Create or Modify a Policy:

  • Create New Policy: Click to create a policy from scratch. You must specify whether the policy is for Android or iOS.
  • Modify Existing Policy: Choose an existing policy to edit and confirm whether it applies to Android or iOS before proceeding.

Blocking Apps on Android:

To block apps on Android devices, follow these steps:

1. In the Android Policy Editor, navigate to Applications.

2. Set Playstore Mode to Blocklist.

Blocking Apps on Android

3. Under Managed Applications, click Add apps, then select Blocked for the Assignment Type.

Under Managed Applications, click Add apps, then select Blocked for the Assignment Type. 

Blocking Apps on iOS:

To block apps on iOS devices, follow these steps:

  1. In the iOS Policy Editor, navigate to Applications.
  2. Under Managed Applications, click Add apps.
  3. Select Public App Store, search for the desired app, and set the Assignment Type to Blocked.

Blocking Apps on iOS:

Blocking Apps on iOS:

FAQ

To effectively block an app on your Android device using Digital Wellbeing, open the Settings app and tap on “Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.” In the “App timers” section, select the app you want to block and set the time limit to zero hours and zero minutes. This will gray out the app’s icon, preventing you from using it. You can easily unblock the app at any time by adjusting the timer in Digital Wellbeing. If you need more advanced blocking features, consider using a dedicated third-party software like NinjaOne MDM, which offers robust app management and control functionalities.

To permanently block an app on a device, begin by accessing the MDM (Mobile Device Management) settings or application management section. Next, either create a new policy or modify an existing one for the relevant platform, such as Android or iOS. Within the policy settings, navigate to the applications section and add the specific app you wish to block. Finally, set the app’s status or assignment type to “Blocked” or a similar designation. Once the policy is applied, the app will be permanently restricted from use on the specified devices.

To disable unwanted apps on Android, start by opening your device’s settings and navigating to the “Apps” or “Applications” section. From there, find and select the app you wish to disable. Once you’ve selected the app, tap on “Disable.” If the option to disable is not available, it might be a system app that cannot be disabled.

For iOS devices, begin by opening the settings and tapping on “General.” Next, select “iPhone Storage” and find the app you want to disable. Tap on the app and then choose “Offload App” to free up space without deleting the app’s data. This allows you to remove the app while keeping its documents and data intact.

Next Steps

Blocklist App
×

See NinjaOne in action!

By submitting this form, I accept NinjaOne's privacy policy.