# Ember - Break Your Phone Habit — Block Apps, Stop Doomscrolling > Focus timer that blocks apps and offers mini-games during breaks. (iPhone/iPad app by RYAN ANTHONY RICCI.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ember-break-your-phone-habit/id6757763807 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [RYAN ANTHONY RICCI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1868792173) - Category: Productivity, Lifestyle - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.90/5 from 34 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.1 · 60 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-03-09 - Data updated: 2026-09-01 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ember-break-your-phone-habit/id6757763807/reviews.md ## What is Ember? The only focus app that makes your breaks worth taking. Ember blocks distracting apps the moment your session starts. When your break hits, it unlocks mini games — quick, satisfying hits that reset your brain without losing your momentum. Work hard. Break smart. Lock back in. HOW EMBER WORKS 1. Set your goal. Type what you're working on — "essay draft," "design sprint," anything. 2. Lock in. Ember blocks Instagram, TikTok, YouTube — whatever kills your focus — for the full session. Your apps come back when you're done. 3. Earn your break. Every 25 minutes, your break unlocks. Play a quick game, get a real mental reset, and go again. BREAK GAMES THAT ACTUALLY WORK Most focus apps just... make you sit there. Ember gives your brain what it actually wants during a break — a small win, a quick challenge, a real dopamine hit — so you come back sharper, not restless. This is the Pomodoro method done right. TRACK YOUR STREAK See your focus sessions, daily streak, and total hours in one view. The longer your streak, the harder it is to stop. BUILT FOR - Students who need to actually study - Remote workers who lose hours to their phone - ADHD brains that need structured breaks, not just willpower - Anyone who opens TikTok "for 2 minutes" and loses an hour Ember uses Apple's Screen Time API to block apps on-device. We never see which apps you block. Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQFd8Mhq8xa6He6CllLMVHwUdo_r4VBj9fGaatCWmYn3MorjB59ldq-CM3JuHeg64EclbrEo6wN5DO3/pub Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - App blocking during focus sessions - Mini-games for productive breaks - Pomodoro technique implementation - Focus streak tracking - Customizable work goals - On-device app blocking via Screen Time API ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Ember Monthly | $7.99 | per month | | Ember Annual | $49.99 | per year | | Ember Annual | $29.99 | per year | ## Recent user reviews (7 of 7) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ember-break-your-phone-habit/id6757763807/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Mommy *2026-06-01* Da best ### 5/5 — Extremely useful *2026-04-23* This app is extremely helpful in controlling my phone usage. Especially during studying and other times of focus it helps tremendously. ### 5/5 — Study Buddy *2026-04-23* Really helpful study app for staying focused. I like that it blocks distracting apps while I’m working, and the 5-minute mind break games every 30 minutes are a nice reset without completely derailing my focus. It makes studying feel a lot more manageable and keeps me off my phone when I need to lock in. ### 5/5 — Great App *2026-04-18* This is a great app for studying for those annoying tests. It has even helped me stay locked in on other productive things I want to do throughout the day. Highly recommend it, especially since it doesn’t feel like you are trapped as you set your own goals. ### 5/5 — Study Improved *2026-04-02* I have always been the type to study but have always struggled being consistent. Using this app has made me have a consistent routine and studying and makes me feel extremely productive while doing it. No distractions help get me done way quicker and more efficient than before. ### 5/5 — Helps me stay focused *2026-03-26* I struggle a lot to stay focused while studying, but this app has helped me a lot with it. It blocks all social media and game apps, giving me no choice but to study. I definitely recommend it to others. ### 5/5 — What a great app!! *2026-03-26* This app has helped me stay locked in during study sessions and etc. Beautiful and efficient app. 5 stars!! ## Frequently asked questions about Ember ### How does Ember block apps? Ember utilizes Apple's Screen Time API to block distracting applications directly on your device. This ensures your privacy as the app does not access or see which specific apps you choose to block. ### What kind of breaks does Ember offer? Instead of just waiting, Ember unlocks quick, satisfying mini-games during your breaks. These games are designed to provide a real mental reset and a dopamine hit, helping you return to your work sharper. ### Can I track my progress with Ember? Yes, Ember allows you to track your focus sessions, daily streak, and total hours spent in focused work. Maintaining a longer streak can help build a stronger habit of focused work. ### Is Ember suitable for people with ADHD? Ember is specifically built for ADHD brains that require structured breaks. The combination of focused work intervals and engaging break activities can be more effective than relying solely on willpower. ### What devices does Ember support? Ember is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, leveraging Apple's Screen Time API for its core functionality. ### How often is Ember updated? The latest version of Ember is 1.1, and it was last updated on March 20, 2026. This indicates a commitment to ongoing development and improvements. ### What is the age rating for Ember? Ember has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users looking to improve their focus. ### Does Ember have ads? No, Ember is ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted focus and break experience. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.15 — 2026-08-26 Bug fixes and performance improvements to keep things running smoothly ### 1.14 — 2026-08-07 Bug fixes and performance improvements to keep things running smoothly. ### 1.13 — 2026-07-20 Bug fixes and performance improvements to keep things running smoothly. ### 1.12 — 2026-07-12 Bug fixes and performance improvements to keep things running smoothly. ### 1.11 — 2026-06-23 Bug fixes and performance improvements to keep things running smoothly. --- *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 2026-09-01.*