How to block certain apps at certain times?

To block certain apps at specific times, both iPhones and Android devices offer built-in features and third-party applications.

For iPhones:

• Screen Time (Built-in): Located in Settings, Screen Time offers several features:
  1. Downtime: This feature blocks most apps and notifications during scheduled periods, such as during meals or bedtime. You can schedule Downtime for specific days and times. Only apps and contacts explicitly added to the “Always Allowed” list will remain accessible during Downtime.
  2. App Limits: You can set daily time limits for categories of apps (e.g., Social Networking) or individual apps. Setting a very short limit (e.g., 1 minute) combined with a Screen Time passcode can effectively block access by requiring the passcode to continue usage. These limits can be customized for specific days.
  3. Guided Access: This locks your iPhone to a single app, preventing access to other apps and distractions. It can be activated by triple-clicking the Side/Home Button and requires a passcode to exit.
  4. Focus Mode: Allows you to customize which apps and contacts can send notifications during specific periods (e.g., “Work Mode” or “Sleep Mode”).

  Setting a Screen Time passcode is crucial to prevent easy overriding of these restrictions. You can even have someone else set the passcode for stronger enforcement.

• Third-party Apps: Apps like Refocus allow you to schedule app blocking and select specific applications to restrict. Forest is another app that prevents phone usage to help you stay focused.

For Android Devices:

• Digital Wellbeing (Built-in): Android’s native feature provides tools to manage app usage:
  1. Focus Mode: Enables you to select apps that are not allowed during active periods. You can schedule Focus Mode for specific times and days, with options to temporarily pause it.
  2. App Timers: Sets daily time limits for individual apps.
• Third-party Apps: Several apps offer advanced blocking functionalities:
  • Lock Me Out: Blocks app usage at specific times, allows setting rules for different days of the week, and includes daily usage limits. A paid version offers tamper-proof features.
  • WallHabit: Provides similar features, including time window blocking and specific blocking of content like shorts and reels.
  • Block Apps: Digital wellbeing (com.wverlaek.block): Allows setting a PIN code to open the app and disabling the pause option for blocks, making it harder to bypass.
  • Other apps like Opal and Bark app (for parental control) also provide scheduled app blocking and usage limits.