# BePresent: Screen Time Control — user reviews > 3,288 indexed App Store user reviews of BePresent by Screen Detox Inc, rated 4.80/5 from 61,703 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bepresent-screen-time-control/id1644737181/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bepresent-screen-time-control/id1644737181.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 56,199 · 4★ 3,329 · 3★ 861 · 2★ 271 · 1★ 1,043 ## What do users think of BePresent? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 🚀 Helps reduce screen time - 👍 Gamification and rewards system - 🤝 Ability to compete with friends - 🕰️ Provides helpful notifications and reminders - 💡 Innovative approach to tackling phone addiction **Cons** - 🐛 Inconsistent screen time tracking - 🔒 Inability to selectively block apps - 💰 Paywall for advanced features - 🤖 Condescending and passive-aggressive notifications - 🔧 Buggy and glitchy performance **Commonly reported bugs** - Freezing and crashing issues - Inaccurate screen time reporting - Inability to restore purchases - Persistent app blocking even after uninstallation - Setup process getting stuck on permissions **Most requested features** - Allow selective app blocking - Exclude certain apps from screen time tracking - More customization options for notifications - Expand to iPad and other devices - Improve overall stability and reliability ## Newest reviews (16 of 3,288) ### 5/5 — Great app *2026-08-28, version 0.18.98* Great app, helped me stop screen timing as much have realistic goals which you set and helps reduce the screen time. ### 5/5 — So far so good *2026-08-28, version 0.18.97* It’s been helpful in cutting down my social media doom scrolling ### 5/5 — Really helping *2026-08-28, version 0.18.97* The gamification is really keeping me from mindless scrolling, thanks ### 5/5 — Focus coming back *2026-08-28, version 0.18.97* Ngl I was skeptical at first because I’ve tried so many different apps and tools to help me be present so that I can get my work done more quickly and efficiently, I can be present with my family, during meetings, etc. This has been the first productive week I have had in a very very long time and I needed this productivity because I’m running up on deadlines next week. I appreciate that it allows for teams so when I really just want to get a break and scroll I won’t go past 5 mins, it’ll turn off on its own. And there are even times I’m like okay is pausing the app so I can go on social media worth it right now? And most times it’s a no. My mornings are so much better. Idk I’m considering going past the trial. It has truly helped me sooo yeah. ### 4/5 — Very effective *2026-08-28, version 0.18.97* Worked well ### 5/5 — Accountability *2026-08-28, version 0.18.97* It definitely helps with holding yourself accountable having a visible tally of how many times I open a specific app really shows me just how much life is waisted just staring at this screen ### 5/5 — Only app that works *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* Genuinely works ### 5/5 — BePresent *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* Be present really helps me spend more time with my family but if your screentime goes over your goal there is no way to tell unless you are always looking, but overall with gamify and beast mode it is a very good app, five stars ### 5/5 — So good for me! *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* Have been using the app for almost two years now. It helps me have peaceful mornings before work. I was either jumping straight into work emails or doom scrolling! Recommend for those trying harder to Be Present 🙌 ### 5/5 — Game changer *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* Have cut my screen time down by 8 hours a day within 3 days! No looking back. ### 5/5 — Definitely helping *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* I struggle a lot with how much time I spend on social media, especially on Instagram, reels, and on TikTok. Anyways, this combined with another form of restriction( I have a 2 Duolingo lesson restriction set up through the Duolingo app) has been able to effectively cut off on time that I spent on my phone. I have 10 opens that are three minutes long each that I can use after I’ve already done two lessons… I am happy to report my screen time is now consistently under 3.5 hours! I will say that sometimes the app will crash, but I haven’t seen it do that in a while so they’re must’ve been some update that fixed those bugs! ### 5/5 — Review *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* I really like how the app is designed to keep you from being online too much, however, it was advertised to me that it would encourage more time with God, I feel like adding hourly scripture to read or prayers or videos to watch would be a really cool way to implement more time spiritually with God. Great app though!! ### 5/5 — THE ONLY APP THAT ACTUALLY GETS ME OFF MY PHONE *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* THE ONLY APP THAT ACTUALLY GETS ME OFF MY PHONE ### 5/5 — Being in the moment *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* Enjoy the outdoors see people taking breaks from phones and being the part of the community and the world ### 2/5 — Privacy *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* The app provides “leaderboard” information without clear express permission, nor a way to opt-out. Deleted the account and removed the app. ### 5/5 — Yes *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* Great ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Can’t cancel services - ruined my notifications *2026-08-29, version 0.18.98* I originally got this app to help me remove some of the extra screen time I was spending on socials. It quickly blocked work emails, emergency text notify and hs no settings available to prevent it. 8 was advised not to delete the app and to cancel my membership but when I tried it listed the end of the year term as the cancellation date. To this day o can’t get text notifications or emergency updates for work. I just want its control completely removed but the creators are no help. After cancelling I deleted the app but it didn’t matter the locks are somehow still in place. ### 1/5 — Completely unnecessary features. It’s a scam, your phone does this for you for free! *2026-08-29, version 0.18.98* This app is unnecessary. I learned the hard way. Androids and IPhones have all of these features for free. Learn to use the phone you have. You’ll save yourself a lot of money! This app charged me without my permission. The trial period is not free. It costs $3.99. That I knew in advanced but, I stopped after that and they charged me the full year price anyway. I tried to login to my account online to cancel, as they won’t give you all of your account info in the app, and you can’t just login. They send you a time sensitive email with a link to login. But, the email arrived over an hour later. The link was already inactive when I received the email. It just started the whole process all over again. It took a day and a half of constantly requesting an email, to receive the email in a timely matter in order to even login to my account to make sure my account was, in fact, cancelled. There is no way to contact support directly. They have a place you can leave a written message when you login online and have to hope they get back to you. They took days to respond. They tried to say that there’s nothing they can do to stop the charge and my bank would have to deal with it now. If they try to say my trial ended and that’s why they charged me, it’s simply not true. I started the process with plenty of time. It took me so long to cancel my trial that it went outside the trial time. It should be a simple process. The app delays you from stopping. I was able to finally cancel it. The charge went through after I cancelled anyway. It seems like it’s designed to take your money even after you’ve cancelled. If it’s not actually designed that way and it’s simply incompetence, then the app isn’t finished yet and they shouldn’t be charging people anyway. Either way, this app is having you pay for things that your phone already does for you, you just need to take a moment and learn how to set it up yourself. Screen Time and App limits are already a thing on the phone itself and even many apps offer more in-depth features individually. Save your money! ### 1/5 — No! Save your money *2026-08-29, version 0.18.98* Glitchy and annoying. Interferes with other apps. ### 1/5 — Stupid charges *2026-08-27, version 0.18.97* Tried to charge me after deleting the app ### 1/5 — Will take your money *2026-08-24, version 0.18.96* I downloaded this app about a month ago. I had a week long trial and decided to delete the app. A month and a half later I am charged a $60 subscription fee that I didn’t sign up for. ### 1/5 — Email grab *2026-08-24, version 0.18.96* SO shady.. seems free, you fill in your email, then it tells you it’s a paid app with only a 3-day free trial. Likely they sell your data. Pathetic. Typical new-age “anything for a buck, no appreciation for customer” mentality. ### 1/5 — Not easy to unsubscribe *2026-08-23, version 0.18.95* Annoying steps to unsubscribe ### 1/5 — Such a scam *2026-08-21, version 0.18.95* Such a scam, won't let you cancel once you join trial. I have to get a new bank card because they won't allow you to cancel or communicate with you. ### 1/5 — Free trial *2026-08-20, version 0.18.95* Be cautious - We cancelled the free trial however they still charged us a years subscription and are refusing to refund it ### 1/5 — Great *2026-08-20, version 0.18.95* Helps! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Expensive but *2026-08-30, version 0.18.98* A lot to pay… but For now … makes my time more valuable ### 5/5 — Great week 1 feel so much better *2026-08-30, version 0.18.98* I have recommended Be Present to a whole lot of people. One week and I sleep better. I had weekends turned off but I am turning them on. It’s worth it. ### 5/5 — Love it *2026-08-30, version 0.18.98* It’s working!!!! ### 5/5 — Great app *2026-08-30, version 0.18.98* I had the trial run of the app and really enjoyed it. Great concept but unfortunately I simply need my phone too much for work. I was charged and their customer service gave me a full refund 🥰 ### 5/5 — Great app, easy to use *2026-08-29, version 0.18.98* User friendly does what it says and is easy to use! ### 5/5 — So helpful! *2026-08-29, version 0.18.98* I've been so frustrated with my phone and how much it seems to steal from my time. This tool is so helpful to cut down the amount of time on the phone. ### 5/5 — Great App *2026-08-29, version 0.18.97* Very much a good app for keeping you off your phone! Make sure you know what apps you use regularly to make sure you don’t lock them on accident! ### 5/5 — So helpful *2026-08-29, version 0.18.97* This app is an incredible find to help me refocus my attention and get off the dread of social media ### 5/5 — Actually works *2026-08-29, version 0.18.97* Keeps me aware of how much time I spend on each app! ### 5/5 — Great app, great mission *2026-08-28, version 0.18.98* This is a great app, with a great mission. Their customer service is also outstanding. --- *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 2026-09-02.*