Looking for an app that will block distracting apps for ios

December 1, 2024 8:47 PM

Is there a (preferably free or one-time payment) app for ios that will allow me to completely block me from using a configurable list of apps during certain time periods? Looking for something that can help me focus.
posted by NoneOfTheAbove to Technology (10 answers total)

Why not use the built in feature to limit time on apps?
Screen Time
posted by shahzebasif at 8:55 PM on December 1, 2024 [1 favorite]

This was just recommended on a podcast I listen to. The person recommended an app called Opal.
posted by vunder at 9:00 PM on December 1, 2024

Response by poster: Had no idea about Screen Time! Looking into it now. Thanks!

Opal looks amazing, but at $100/year it's a bit pricey for me
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 9:25 PM on December 1, 2024

ScreenZen. The free one (with no nagging) is very good. I paid to add custom screens because I liked it so much.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 9:58 PM on December 1, 2024

Freedom is your friend, particularly since it can be configured to restrict the apps on all of your Apple equipment at the same time.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:04 PM on December 1, 2024

Yeah this is built in since iOS 17 - it's been in the parental controls for longer, but is now rolled out for everyone. I wouldn't pay for a separate app, unless for whatever reason the built-in version doesn't work - if for no other reason than the permissions a separate app requires to do this are pretty invasive.
posted by parm at 12:30 AM on December 2, 2024 [3 favorites]

A couple years ago I signed up for a Freedome trial and then cancelled.They sent me a coupon and gave me a lifetime for $70 or something like that. Abandoning things in carts = coupons.
posted by dobbs at 6:51 AM on December 2, 2024

I enjoy AppBlock! It's free, has a few annoying conditions for full app use but the free version gets the job done in the sense that I can block the 2 apps I'm always distracted by for at least 4 hours using the "quick block" feature. Hope it helps!
posted by travelingthyme at 9:10 AM on December 2, 2024

Refocus has some great features even in the free version, including blocking specific apps during specific timeframes.
posted by past unusual at 4:47 PM on December 2, 2024

I use the free version of One Sec, but just to block Instagram.

I also use the Safari extension on my Mac to block a few distracting websites.
posted by backwards guitar at 9:01 AM on December 3, 2024