Surfshark web content blocker on Android

Web content blocker is a Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ feature that allows you to block access to your chosen website categories. These include, but are not limited to, adult, drug, gambling, weapon, and even scam websites.

NOTE: As long as the web content blocker feature is on, you cannot access any of the website categories you selected to block.

As long as the web content blocker feature is on, you cannot access any of the website categories you selected to block.

Set up and use the Surfshark web content blocker feature

1. Tap Settings on the bottom right of the screen:
   
   
    
2. Tap Web content blocker:
   
   
    
3. Tap Set up this device.
   
   
   
   
4. Type in the name of the device and tap Next.
   
   
   
   
5. Select the categories you want to block by tapping the square next to them. Once done, tap Save.
   
   
    
6. Afterward, you will see a notification in the Surfshark app that the Web content blocker is now active.
   
   
   
   NOTE: If you haven’t granted VPN permissions to Surfshark before, you’ll have to do so to proceed.
   
   
   

Web content blocker troubleshooting on Android

The web content blocker will not work if another VPN is already active on your device

Disable the other VPN and then restart the web content blocker through the Surfshark app.

Incorrect VPN Protocol

The web content blocker currently works without a VPN connection. However, if you want to stay connected to the VPN and use web content blocker, you must use the WireGuard® protocol. If your Surfshark VPN is connected using another protocol (like IKEv2 or OpenVPN), the web content blocker will not function. Reconnect your VPN and ensure that you are using WireGuard® as your protocol.

Web content blocker Service Interrupted by the OS

The web content blocker service may be terminated by the operating system, often due to power-saving settings.

Make sure that the following is in order:

• Ensure that battery optimization for the Surfshark app is turned OFF.

• Verify that the necessary VPN permissions have been granted to the Surfshark app.

• Manually restart the web content blocker service from the settings screen within the Surfshark app.
  
  To restart the Surfshark web content blocker, follow these steps:

  • Open Settings.
    
    
    
    
  • Select Web content blocker.
    
    
    
    
  • Toggle the web content blocker to the off position.
    
    

Website or App is on the Bypasser List

The web content blocker will not block content for websites or apps that have been added to the VPN Bypasser list. Double-check the following:

• If a specific website is not being blocked, check if it's on the Bypasser list. If so, remove it from the list or disable the VPN.
• If blocking is not working in a specific browser, check if the browser app itself has been added to the Bypasser list. Remove it from the list or disable the VPN.

Network Connectivity Issues

The web content blocker may not work correctly if there are underlying network connectivity problems.

Try restarting the web content blocker service while connected to the VPN with the WireGuard® protocol.

Settings Synchronization Delay

Web content blocker settings on your device may not be immediately synchronized with the settings on the admin panel. Synchronization can take up to an hour. To force a synchronization, open the Surfshark app or the web content blocker settings screen.

Browser Caching

Websites may not be blocked immediately after the web content blocker is enabled due to browser caching. The browser may still be displaying a cached version of the page. Try the following steps:

• Kill the browser application and restart it afterwards.
• Restart the Surfshark app.
• Clear your browser's cache.