Screen Fasting

Screen Fasting is a screen time limit you can't talk yourself out of.

Most blockers fail for the same reason: you set the limit, so you can lift it. Screen Fasting takes you out of that loop. It uses Assistive Access, Apple's built-in simplified mode for iPhone and iPad, which keeps only the few apps you choose (like Calls, Messages and Maps) and hides everything else.

The trick is the passcode. Screen Fasting makes up a random code and guides you through typing it one keypress at a time, mixed in with decoy digits you delete again. Your fingers enter it, but you never see the whole number, so you can't remember it. Leaving Assistive Access needs that code, so the phone stays simple until the timer runs out. Then the code is emailed to you.

Setup runs in the browser and takes about five minutes, with a voice guiding every tap. There's no app to install, and it works on the same iPhone you're locking. Your normal unlock, Face ID and Apple Account aren't touched.

Free: 5 fasts a month, 2 to 8 hours each. Pro: unlimited fasts up to 30 days.