# Disconnect: Digital Detox — Stop Scrolling with a Buddy > Accountability-based digital detox app using a trusted buddy system. (iPhone/iPad app by Bytehood.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/disconnect-digital-detox/id6743134572 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Bytehood](https://appshunter.io/developer/1710448517) - Category: Productivity, Health & Fitness - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 43 MB - Languages: American English, Dutch, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian and 4 more - Released: 2026-07-08 - Data updated: 2026-10-30 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/disconnect-digital-detox/id6743134572/reviews.md ## What is Disconnect? Most app blockers fail for the same reason: they trust you to stop yourself. But research shows people are significantly more likely to break a habit when someone else is involved. Disconnect App is built on that insight. You set the rules. A trusted person holds the key. When you try to unblock a blocked app, they decide — not you. No bypass. No weak moments. Just a system that works when willpower doesn't. HOW IT WORKS Choose the apps you want to block and when. Then pick your lock level: Soft Lock — unblock instantly, but tap through a confirmation first. Enough friction to break the reflex. Medium Lock — wait 5 minutes before access is granted. Enough time to actually reconsider. Hard Lock — you cannot unblock it yourself. Your buddy gets a notification and decides whether to let you in. No workarounds. No escape hatch. THE BUDDY SYSTEM This is what makes Disconnect App different from every other screen time blocker. You choose someone you trust — a friend, a partner, anyone. When you try to open a hard-locked app, they receive a notification and approve or deny in seconds. It's not surveillance. It's accountability. One person who steps in when your willpower gives out. Your buddy never sees which apps you use or how long you spend on them. They simply get asked: yes or no? WHAT'S FREE · 1 rule · 1 buddy · All three lock levels including hard lock · No time limit — it's yours to keep DISCONNECT PRO · Unlimited rules · Multiple buddies · More features coming PRIVACY & LEGAL Disconnect App uses Apple's Screen Time API. The apps you choose to block never leave your device — we never see them. Only the minimum data needed to run the buddy system is stored: your display name, buddy relationships, and unlock requests. We do not sell your data. Privacy Policy: https://disconnectapp.co/privacy Terms of Service: https://disconnectapp.co/terms ## Key features - Buddy system for accountability - Customizable app blocking rules - Soft, Medium, and Hard lock levels - Buddy approves or denies app access - Unlimited rules with Pro version - Multiple buddies with Pro version ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Yearly | $22.99 | per year | | Monthly | $2.99 | per month | **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time | ## Is Disconnect safe? Not enough ratings yet to assess Disconnect. ## Is Disconnect legit? Disconnect: Digital Detox appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Disconnect is 70 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## Recent user reviews (1 of 1) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/disconnect-digital-detox/id6743134572/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Great idea and well executed *2026-07-27* Very well made app. Great to break bad habits of using social media unchecked by either delaying opening of the app via a timer or by giving away control to someone you trust. ## Frequently asked questions about Disconnect ### How does Disconnect help users break digital habits? Disconnect utilizes a 'buddy system' where a trusted friend or partner holds the key to unblocking restricted apps. This external accountability is designed to be more effective than relying solely on personal willpower. ### What are the different lock levels in Disconnect? Disconnect offers three lock levels: Soft Lock (confirmation prompt), Medium Lock (5-minute wait), and Hard Lock (buddy approval required). The Hard Lock prevents self-unblocking, ensuring accountability. ### Does Disconnect have ads? No, Disconnect is ad-free. The app is supported by its freemium model, with optional upgrades for advanced features. ### What features are available in the free version of Disconnect? The free version includes one rule, one buddy, and access to all three lock levels, including the Hard Lock. There is no time limit on the free features. ### What are the subscription options for Disconnect Pro? Disconnect Pro offers unlimited rules and multiple buddies. Subscription plans include a monthly option for $2.99 and a yearly option for $22.99, which includes a 7-day free trial. ### How does Disconnect handle user privacy? Disconnect uses Apple's Screen Time API and does not see the apps you block. Only minimal data like display names and unlock requests are stored, and your data is not sold. ### Is Disconnect available on all Apple devices? Yes, Disconnect is available on both iPhone and iPad, leveraging Apple's Screen Time API for its functionality. ### How often is Disconnect updated? The latest version, 1.13.1, was released on October 29, 2026. The app is actively maintained, with new features planned for future updates. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.13.1 — 2026-10-29 • Disconnect now speaks 14 more languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish (Spain and Mexico), Portuguese (Brazil), Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, Turkish, Polish and Russian. The app, the screen you see when an app is blocked, the widget and Siri all follow your iPhone's language automatically. • Fixed: when your buddy's name isn't available, lock screens no longer show a gap where it should be ("Asked to unblock Instagram"). They now say "your buddy" instead. Thanks for using Disconnect. Have feedback? We read everything — it shapes what we build next. ### 1.13.0 — 2026-10-27 • Disconnect now speaks 14 more languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish (Spain and Mexico), Portuguese (Brazil), Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, Turkish, Polish and Russian. The app, the screen you see when an app is blocked, the widget and Siri all follow your iPhone's language automatically. • Fixed: when your buddy's name isn't available, lock screens no longer show a gap where it should be ("Asked to unblock Instagram"). They now say "your buddy" instead. Thanks for using Disconnect. Have feedback? We read everything — it shapes what we build next. ### 1.12.0 — 2026-10-15 • Ask for the time you need. With Pro, when you ask your buddy to unlock a hard rule, you can pick 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours or a custom time. Your buddy sees it in the app ready to approve in one tap, or can choose a different time. • Soft and medium rules now re-lock an hour after you unlock them, so a quick break doesn't quietly last the rest of the day. Prefer the old way? Turn off "Re-lock after 1 hour" in the rule's details while the rule isn't active. • Fixed: the approval screen no longer shows one minute more than your buddy gave you. • Approve from your Apple Watch. When your buddy asks for more time, "Approve 15 min" now appears on your watch next to Deny, and your answer reliably goes through. • A fresh look for the cards at the top of your home screen, and you can now tap anywhere on a card to act on it. • Disconnect now runs on iPad. Create rules, approve your buddy's requests, and check what's blocked on the bigger screen. • Fixed: the home screen widget no longer squeezes the headline on smaller iPhones, and it uses the extra width properly on iPad. A note on iPad: Screen Time rules are set per device, so your iPad needs its own. Your buddy and your Pro subscription carry across both. Thanks for using Disconnect. Have feedback? We read everything — it shapes what we build next. ### 1.11.1 — 2026-10-12 • Approve from your Apple Watch. When your buddy asks for more time, "Approve 15 min" now appears on your watch next to Deny, and your answer reliably goes through. • A fresh look for the cards at the top of your home screen, and you can now tap anywhere on a card to act on it. • Disconnect now runs on iPad. Create rules, approve your buddy's requests, and check what's blocked on the bigger screen. • Fixed: the home screen widget no longer squeezes the headline on smaller iPhones, and it uses the extra width properly on iPad. A note on iPad: Screen Time rules are set per device, so your iPad needs its own. Your buddy and your Pro subscription carry across both. Thanks for using Disconnect. Have feedback? We read everything — it shapes what we build next. ### 1.11.0 — 2026-10-10 • Disconnect now runs on iPad. Create rules, approve your buddy's requests, and check what's blocked on the bigger screen. • Fixed: the home screen widget no longer squeezes the headline on smaller iPhones, and it uses the extra width properly on iPad. A note on iPad: Screen Time rules are set per device, so your iPad needs its own. Your buddy and your Pro subscription carry across both. Thanks for using Disconnect. Have feedback? We read everything — it shapes what we build next. ## Apps similar to Disconnect | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Wait! – Mindful Pause](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wait-mindful-pause/id6809008025) | — | Free | Productivity | | [Overgrow: Screen Time Control](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/overgrow-screen-time-control/id6780465365) | — | Free | Productivity | | [Butsu- App Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/butsu-app-blocker/id6780689094) | — | Free | Productivity | | [bob: study & focus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bob-study-and-focus/id6787373182) | — | Free | Productivity | | [FlipLock: Physical App Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fliplock-physical-app-blocker/id6757940216) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Productivity | | [Cassette: AI Note Taker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cassette-ai-note-taker/id6812001404) | — | Free | Productivity | ## More apps by Bytehood - [Streaks & Focus: Trailblazer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/streaks-and-focus-trailblazer/id6468681996) - [TweetAI](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tweetai/id6471381750) - [Battery Phone Guard + Widget](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/battery-phone-guard-plus-widget/id6472619156) - [LoanEasy Calculator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loaneasy-calculator/id6670275638) All apps by Bytehood: https://appshunter.io/developer/1710448517 ## Related topics [digital wellbeing](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/digital-wellbeing) · [soconnect](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/soconnect) · [disconnect](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/disconnect) --- *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 2026-10-30.*