Have a bug, question, or feedback? Email blockedapp@riseup.net. Please allow a few days for a response.
blocked. is an iPhone app that uses Apple's Screen Time to block distracting apps, only unlockable through a physical trigger you choose: an NFC chip you tap, a QR code you scan, or a GPS location you arrive at. It's built on the idea that focus requires real friction. When unlocking takes effort, you think twice before doing it.
It's a fraction of the cost of most alternatives, with no subscription and no fluff. Whether you're at school, at work, or just trying to cut down on brain-rotting social media, blocked. is a simple, honest tool that gets out of your way.
NFC: Grab a pack of NFC chips on Amazon for just a few dollars. Register one in the app, then stick it somewhere deliberate! It can be on your bookshelf, on your fridge, or just in your car. You can only unblock your apps by physically tapping that chip. QR Code: Print your unique QR code and tape it to your fridge, or anywhere that requires you to physically get up. You can also alternatively leave it on your computer screen, so you can only scroll social media if you're sitting at your setup. Location: Set your unblock zone to a place you trust yourself. Your apps stay blocked until you physically arrive there. Great for keeping your phone focused while you're at school or work, and automatically unblocking when you get back.
None. blocked. doesn't connect to the internet, doesn't have a backend, and doesn't track you in any way. Your session history, your app selections, your QR secrets, your NFC tag IDs.. Everything stays on your device and nowhere else.
You can re-register a new NFC chip or generate a fresh QR code from Settings at any time when you're not blocked. If you're currently blocked and need out, the Emergency Unblock option in Settings is there as a last resort. Use it honestly!
Yes. You can create multiple Focus Profiles in Settings, each with its own name and its own set of blocked apps. Swap between them any time, or attach one to a schedule so it activates automatically during certain hours.
No. blocked. uses Apple's Screen Time framework, which never restricts phone calls, emergency services, or the Settings app. Only the specific apps you choose to block are affected. You'll always be reachable.
Nope. The blocking is enforced by Apple's built-in Screen Time system, not by a background process inside blocked. itself. Once a block is active, the app doesn't need to be running at all.
Well.. I won't ask how you did that, but simply uninstalling and reinstalling is the only way around this. It is tedious, but it might teach you next time to be more diligent about how you are using these emergency unblocks. None of your settings save so make sure you know what you need to save otherwise.
You can reach out to me at blockedapp@riseup.net, I'll be able to respond. Please give me a few days to respond as your email could've been found in my junk mail, or maybe I'm just busy with other things in my life..
That genuinely means a lot. You can donate to me on Ko-fi at https://ko-fi.com/dojinn. Any donations are great since I'm a college student and made this app for fun. You can also email your experience (good or bad) to blockedapp@riseup.net. A review on the App Store also goes a long way! Thank you so much :-)