Best App Blockers for iPhone (Compared, Nov 2026)
Updated
The best app blocker for iPhone depends on whether you want time limits, friction before an app opens, or apps that stay locked until a task is done.
We make RemindLock, so it's listed first. Facts about the other apps come from their App Store pages (Brick: NBC News' review) as of November 2026, each linked to its source.
| App | Good for | How it blocks | Price | Source (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RemindLock | reminders you keep ignoring, and homework, chores or medication with a due time (built for ADHD) | When a reminder is due, the apps you picked stay locked until you type "I did" plus its title or take a photo, reschedule it, or drop it. | $6.99/mo, $44.99/yr with a 7-day trial, $99.99 lifetime; no free tier | RemindLock pricing |
| Opal | scheduled focus sessions and screen-time stats | Blocks the apps you choose on a schedule, after a daily limit, or during a focus session. | Free tier; Pro $19.99/mo or $99.99/yr | Opal on the App Store |
| Brick | a physical off switch | Tap your phone on a small puck to lock the apps you chose, and tap it again to unlock them. | $59 device, no subscription | NBC News review (Aug 2026) |
| ScreenZen | a free pause before you open an app | Adds a wait before a chosen app opens, limits you to short sessions, and can block an app after a daily limit. | Free; optional tips | ScreenZen on the App Store |
| one sec | a breathing pause that breaks the habit | Shows a short pause, such as a breathing exercise, each time you open a chosen app. | Free tier; pro $6.99/mo, $19.99/yr or $99.99 lifetime | one sec on the App Store |
| Jomo | blocking on a schedule | Blocks the apps, websites or categories you choose during the times you set. | Free plan; Plus $5.99/mo, $29.99/yr or $99.99 lifetime | Jomo on the App Store |
| TaskLock | a free download that locks apps until you complete tasks you set | Keeps the apps you choose locked until you complete the tasks you set. | Free; in-app purchases $0.99 to $39.99 | TaskLock on the App Store |
iOS Screen Time is an option too: it's built into every iPhone, it's free, and its App Limits can cap time in an app.
Best for reminders you keep ignoring, and homework, chores or medication with a due time (built for ADHD): RemindLock
RemindLock is an iPhone reminder app built for people who ignore reminders, especially people with ADHD.
When a reminder is due, the apps you picked stay locked until you type "I did" plus the reminder's title (like "I did Math worksheet") or take a photo. You can also reschedule it twice, each time with a reason and a new time at least 15 minutes out, or drop it.
It can also lock apps for a set time instead, from 1 minute to 12 hours, and unlock them on its own.
There's one 15-minute emergency unlock per day and an optional strict mode. Phone, Messages and the apps you mark as always allowed are never locked.
There's no account, and your reminders stay on your iPhone.
It costs $6.99 a month, $44.99 a year with a 7-day trial, or $99.99 for lifetime access.
Its limits: it's iPhone only and there's no free tier.
Source (as of November 2026): RemindLock pricing
Opal: scheduled focus sessions and screen-time stats
Opal blocks the apps you choose on schedules, after daily limits or during focus sessions, using Apple's Screen Time.
It has a free tier. As of November 2026, Opal Pro is $19.99 a month or $99.99 a year on the US App Store.
It needs iOS 18 or later and has a 4.7 average from about 91,000 ratings.
Source (as of November 2026): Opal on the App Store
Brick: a physical off switch
Brick is a $59 puck with a free app and no subscription. You tap your phone on it to lock the apps you chose, and you can only unlock them by tapping it again.
If you leave it at home, you can't unlock remotely. The app gives you five emergency unbricks; after those, you email Brick's support.
It suits people who want distance between them and their apps. It doesn't know about your tasks: the apps stay locked until you get back to the puck.
Source (as of November 2026): NBC News review (Aug 2026)
ScreenZen: a free pause before you open an app
ScreenZen adds a wait before a distracting app opens, limits you to short timed sessions, and can block an app once you reach a daily limit.
It's free; its only in-app purchases are optional tips.
It needs iOS 16.4 or later and has a 4.9 average from about 53,000 ratings.
Source (as of November 2026): ScreenZen on the App Store
one sec: a breathing pause that breaks the habit
one sec doesn't fully block apps: each time you open one you chose, it shows a short intervention such as a breathing exercise. It's set up through Apple's Shortcuts app.
As of November 2026, one sec pro is $6.99 a month, $19.99 a year or $99.99 for life on the US App Store, with family plans.
It needs iOS 15 or later and has a 4.8 average from about 24,000 ratings.
Source (as of November 2026): one sec on the App Store
Jomo: blocking on a schedule
Jomo blocks the apps, websites or categories you choose during the times you set.
It has a free plan. As of November 2026, Jomo Plus is $5.99 a month, $29.99 a year or $99.99 for life on the US App Store.
It needs iOS 16 or later and has a 4.8 average from about 2,500 ratings.
Source (as of November 2026): Jomo on the App Store
TaskLock: a free download that locks apps until you complete tasks you set
TaskLock keeps the apps you choose locked until you complete the tasks you set.
It's free to download, with in-app purchases from $0.99 to $39.99 on the US App Store as of November 2026.
It needs iOS 17.6 or later. It's new, with only a handful of ratings so far.
Source (as of November 2026): TaskLock on the App Store