# How Cactus Blocks Websites on Mac

> Learn how Cactus starts scheduled website blocks on your Mac, what the menu bar shows, and how an administrator can remove it.

Canonical: https://usecactus.app/how-cactus-blocks

How Cactus blocks websites on Mac

# Set it once. Cactus blocks those sites every week.

Choose the websites, days, and hours. The schedule keeps running after you close the window.

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## Days, hours, websites.

1. 1

  ### Choose recurring hours

  Pick the days and times when websites should be blocked.
2. 2

  ### Add the websites

  Enter YouTube, X, Reddit, or any other domain.
3. 3

  ### Close the window

  Cactus keeps the schedule running after the window closes.
4. 4

  ### Check the menu bar

  See whether blocking is active and when access returns.

## An active block has no off switch in Cactus.

A Mac administrator can still remove Cactus and its local helper. No local app can honestly prevent that.

## Your schedule and blocking state stay on your Mac.

No account or cloud sync. macOS asks for permission to install the helper that keeps scheduled blocks running.

## The details, including the limits.

### What a block covers

- Each website you add is blocked with its ` www ` address. ` youtube.com ` also covers ` m.youtube.com `, and ` x.com ` also covers ` twitter.com `.
- Other subdomains and separate domains need their own entry, for example ` youtu.be `, ` old.reddit.com `, or ` music.youtube.com `.
- Blocks apply to whole sites, not single pages. Entering a page address blocks the site it belongs to.
- The block is system-wide, so it applies in every browser and in apps that load those sites. No extension is involved.

### How the schedule behaves

- One recurring schedule: the weekdays you pick, one start and end time in 15-minute steps, and one list of websites. Overnight ranges work.
- During a block there is no pause or end-early button. Edits made during a block apply to the next one.
- The helper keeps blocking when you quit Cactus, put the Mac to sleep, or restart it.
- Cactus sends no notifications. While it is open, the menu bar shows the current state and when access returns.

### What can get around it

- A Mac administrator can remove Cactus or change system settings.
- Browsers using their own secure DNS, iCloud Private Relay, proxies, and some VPNs can affect blocking.
- Cactus does not block desktop apps.

For step-by-step alternatives, read [how to block websites on Mac](https://usecactus.app/guides/how-to-block-websites-on-mac) or [how to block websites on a schedule](https://usecactus.app/guides/block-websites-on-a-schedule-mac).

## Before you install Cactus.

### Does Cactus block every possible way to reach a website?

No. You cannot turn off an active block in Cactus, but a Mac administrator can still remove the app and its local helper.

### Does Cactus need a browser extension?

No. Cactus blocks websites at the Mac level, so you do not need to install an extension in each browser.

### Is there an account or cloud dashboard?

No. Your schedule, blocked websites, and current blocking state stay on your Mac.

## Try Cactus free for seven days.

The trial starts when you turn on your first schedule. No account or card.

[Download Cactus](https://usecactus.app/download/trial)[Buy for $19.99](https://usecactus.app/buy)