# bar'd: Barcode App Blocker — Focus Mode & Unskippable Alarm > Physical barcode scanner to enforce digital distraction blocking via Apple's Screen Time API. (iPhone/iPad app by Kenneth Rapko.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bard-barcode-app-blocker/id6761489805 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Kenneth Rapko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1889931958) - Category: Productivity, Utilities - Price: Free - Rating: 5.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 26.0 · 3 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-05-16 - Data updated: 2026-08-05 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bard-barcode-app-blocker/id6761489805/reviews.md ## What is bar'd? bar'd is the ultimate physical lock for your digital distractions. Built on Apple's strict Screen Time API, bar'd doesn't just ask you nicely to put your phone down—it forces you to. Link your custom Focus Modes (like Work, Study, or Phone-free Dinner) to a physical barcode anywhere in your house or office. Once you activate a session, your distracting apps are shielded. The only way back in? Get up, walk over, and scan that exact physical barcode. There is no PIN bypass. There is no cooldown timer. There is no "remind me in 15 minutes." You either delete the app, or you scan the barcode. HOW IT WORKS: Create a Mode: Set up a profile (e.g., "Dumb phone") and whitelist only the apps you actually need. Everything else gets shielded. Bind a Barcode: Link the mode to any physical barcode (a book, a coffee bag, a label on your desk). Lock In: Activate the mode manually or set an automated daily schedule. Unlock: To pause, edit, or stop the session early, you must physically scan the tied barcode. KEY FEATURES: • Unbreakable Focus: Uses Apple's FamilyControls to securely shield blocked apps at the system level. • Physical Accountability: Ties your digital habits to the physical world using your camera's AVFoundation pipeline. • Custom Schedules: Automate your focus times in the background. • Stats & Streaks: Track your focused hours, build a daily streak, and climb the ranks up to Grandmaster. • Private by Design: All App Group state and SwiftData persistence happens entirely on-device. ## Key features - Enforce focus modes with physical barcodes - Shield distracting apps at system level - Customizable app whitelists - Automated daily focus schedules - Track focused hours and streaks - On-device data privacy ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bard-barcode-app-blocker/id6761489805/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Awesome app *2026-07-28* Way better that it’s free vs having to pay money for brick ### 5/5 — Helpful for me to stop checking work at night! *2026-05-18* Really like the physical object component - just the right amount of friction ## Frequently asked questions about bar'd ### What is bar'd? bar'd is a productivity app that uses your phone's camera to scan physical barcodes, which in turn unlocks access to apps you've designated as distracting. It's designed to enforce focus by requiring a physical action to regain access to blocked applications. ### How does bar'd enforce focus? bar'd leverages Apple's Screen Time API (FamilyControls) to securely shield blocked apps at the system level. Unlike other apps, it offers no bypass options like PINs or cooldown timers, requiring you to physically scan a linked barcode to resume using your phone normally. ### Can I customize which apps are blocked by bar'd? Yes, you can create custom Focus Modes where you whitelist only the essential apps you need. All other applications will be shielded during an active session, ensuring that only your designated 'allowed' apps are accessible. ### Does bar'd have ads? No, bar'd does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free application, allowing for an uninterrupted focus experience. ### What devices does bar'd support? bar'd is available for iPhone and iPad, running on iOS and iPadOS. It requires a device with a camera to scan the physical barcodes. ### How often is bar'd updated? The latest version of bar'd is 1.2, and it was last updated on June 11, 2026. Updates typically focus on improving stability, adding new features, and enhancing the user experience based on feedback. ### Is bar'd suitable for children? bar'd has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger users. Its focus-enforcing nature could be beneficial for students or individuals looking to manage their screen time effectively. ### What are the benefits of using bar'd over other focus apps? bar'd's unique selling proposition is its physical accountability mechanism. By tying digital access to a physical barcode, it creates a more robust barrier against digital distractions compared to apps that rely solely on software-based restrictions. ## Version history (last 4 releases) ### 1.3 — 2026-07-28 What's New bar'd is now built around one idea: your phone, on your terms. • Redesigned intro that explains the whole thing in seconds — pick a real barcode, put it somewhere you'll walk to, scan it when you mean it. • Barcode Alarm for the morning doom scroll: it keeps ringing until you're up and scanning, and you can now set how often it re-rings and for how long. • The ringing screen is clearer that the alarm is still on until you scan — silencing it doesn't turn it off. • Add an optional wake message (like where you hid the barcode) so half-awake you knows where to go. • Home is now your control panel — set up alarms and focus modes right there. ### 1.2 — 2026-06-11 Updated alarm kit usage ### 1.1 — 2026-05-21 Added alarm feature ### 1.0 — 2026-05-16 No release notes. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-05.*