How to block apps at certain times on my iPhone

Why you should limit app usage at certain times

You may use many social media and other types of apps on your iPhone or iPad. However, while they can help you improve communication and listen to audiobooks, you may sometimes need to block them.

Adding a time limit on your app usage can dramatically improve your stress management. You can distance yourself from your device by blocking individual apps and limiting screen time. This way, various video calls and social media frenzies become less overwhelming.

Another reason you should restrict apps occasionally is to limit procrastination.

Blocking time-wasting iPhone or Mac applications forces you to complete tasks faster due to fewer distractions. Whether you use built-in productivity settings or download third-party apps from Safari or Chrome, they can lock apps to help you focus on your projects.

You may also need to introduce app limits to restrict inappropriate content. Many iPhones let you single out allowed apps and disallow others to keep your children from watching adult content.

Additionally, lowering screen time can optimize your sleep schedule. Putting your device away for at least 60 minutes before bed relaxes your brain. It receives less blue light exposure, leading to higher sleep quality.

If you need to keep your smartphone turned on as you sleep, consult the manufacturer’s manual to determine if you can activate a blue light filter. Furthermore, ensure your device isn’t in line with your eyes because you’ll be less likely to check for notifications.

Steps to block apps on your iPhone at certain times

Besides limiting overall iPhone use and enabling a blue light filter, you can also block specific apps to increase productivity and improve health. There are several ways to do so.

Use Screen Time

Screen Time is an iPhone feature introduced in iOS 12 that lets you block notifications and apps for a certain period, such as during bedtime or meals. Here’s how to activate it:

1. Navigate to your phone’s “Settings.”
2. Go to “Screen Time.”
3. Activate “Screen Time” and choose “Downtime.”
4. Turn on your “Downtime” and press “Customize Days” or “Every Day.”
5. Specify how long your “Downtime” will last.

Introduce app use limits

Your iPhone lets you set time limits for specific app categories, such as social networking and games. Another option is to block individual apps:

1. Tap “Settings” and navigate to your “Screen Time.”
2. Turn on Screen Time and go to “App Limits.”
3. Choose “Add Limit” and select the categories you wish to block. If you want to limit individual apps, tap your category and pick the applications to restrict.
4. Tap the “Next” button and specify how long you can use your iPhone apps. Access the “Customize Days” menu to set the amount of time available for app use per day.
5. Once you’re done setting limits, select the “Add” button.

Enable Downtime on Demand

As previously indicated, the Downtime feature lets you choose the apps, messages, and calls available to your system during a certain period. You can talk to contacts with which you’ve allowed communication and access apps you’ve allowed at all times.

Downtime on Demand is slightly different. It also blocks certain features of your iPhone, but it sends a five-minute reminder before turning on restricted mode. The regime is active until the scheduled Downtime starts or until the end of the day.

Here’s how to activate Downtime on Demand:

1. Choose the “Downtime” menu.
2. Press “Turn on Downtime Until Schedule” if you’re turned on the “Scheduled” feature or “Turn on Downtime Until Tomorrow.”
3. You can deactivate Downtime on Demand by tapping the “Turn Off Downtime” button.

Keep in mind that you can activate Downtime on Demand for family members through their devices directly or via Family Sharing from your iPhone.

Tweak content & privacy restrictions

Many iOS devices let you set restrictions and limit inappropriate content on the App Store and iTunes Store:

1. Navigate to “Settings” and press “Screen Time.”
2. Tap the “Content & Privacy Restrictions” menu and go to “Content and Privacy Restrictions.”
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to add content ratings and restrict app use or purchase on the App Store or iTunes Store. You may need to enter your Touch ID or Apple ID to change the settings.

Set communication limits

Another great way to block apps on your iPhone is to restrict communication from your iCloud contacts during specific periods or always. This includes your outgoing and incoming phone calls, messages, and FaceTime calls.

Take these steps to add communication limits:

1. Press “Settings” and tap your name.
2. Go to “iCloud” and turn on your “Contacts.”
3. Return to “Settings” and activate “Screen Time.”
4. Press “Communication Limits” and choose “During Screen Time.”
5. Tap “Contacts Only” to only allow communication with contacts. You can also select “Everyone” when you no longer want to restrict app use, as it enables you to talk to anyone.
6. Select “Back” in the upper-left part of the screen and choose “During Downtime.” The preferences set in the “Screen Time” menu will apply here.
7. If you want to adjust the “Screen Time” preferences, pick the prompt that lets you choose from your contacts. Tap “Add a Contact” to add more people to talk to during Downtime.

Additionally, you can block all calls from unknown numbers to further limit distractions:

1. Tap “Settings” and go to “Phone.”
2. Press “Silence,” followed by “Unknown Callers.”
3. Activate the feature and the system will send all unknown numbers to your voicemail.

Activate Guided Access

Guided Access is the most restrictive parental control on your iPhone. It prevents the user from closing an app or switching to another with shortcuts if they want to conceal their activities.

Here’s how to activate this parental control feature:

1. Go to Settings and press “Accessibility.”
2. Choose “Guided Access” from your “General” menu.
3. Enable the feature and add a passcode.

Use Speechify to control app usage

If you have trouble focusing, you need a robust text to speech (TTS) platform like Speechify. Speechify can help you boost your productivity in many ways.

For instance, the Android and iOS-compatible tool reads any text in voices that grab your attention from the get-go. You can also speed up the speech, forcing yourself to pay attention to the podcast or recording to avoid missing key points.

Speechify can analyze any text, including Microsoft Word and Google Docs. It has a user-friendly home screen to help you get started with TTS in no time. Try the features for free.