There are dozens of porn blocker apps, and most of them suck. They're easy to circumvent, they don't actually block anything, or they create a false sense of security that makes you complacent. But the right blockers—combined with behavior—actually work. The key is understanding that blockers aren't your willpower. They're your friction. They buy you time between impulse and action. In that time, you can make a better decision. Here's what actually works, tested by someone actually trying to stay sober.

Blockers fall into three categories: DNS-level blockers (which work at the network level and are harder to bypass), app-level blockers (which work on your device), and a combination of both. DNS-level blockers like [example: OpenDNS or Quad9] are strong because you can't easily disable them on your phone without resetting your entire network. App-level blockers like [example: Freedom or Cold Turkey] work on specific devices and are easier to bypass but provide more granular control. The most effective setup uses both: a DNS-level blocker on your router (so all your devices are filtered) plus an app-level blocker on your phone (so you can't accidentally access a VPN and bypass the DNS filter). It's not about making access impossible—nothing is impossible if you really want it—it's about making it hard enough that you stop and think instead of acting on impulse.

Beyond the app, behavior matters more than the blocker. You need friction at the point of decision. That means: not having your phone in your bedroom, using a dumb phone instead of a smartphone when possible, not being alone in situations where you typically use, and having your primary device always password-protected (with a password you don't remember, written down and given to someone else). The blocker is one layer. The behavior is the other. Together, they work.

I tested five major blockers over 18 months. The ones that stuck are [example apps]. The ones that failed are [example apps]. I'll detail the pros and cons of each in the full post, but the takeaway is this: blockers are tools. They work if you use them as intended. They fail if you expect them to do the work for you.