# Ember: Focus & App Blocker — Screen Time, Study & Habit

> App blocker for enhanced focus and digital wellbeing using device technology. (iPhone/iPad app by Lahiru Chathuranga.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ember-focus-and-app-blocker/id6757117435 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Lahiru Chathuranga](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830723819)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 28 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany)
- Released: 2026-01-26
- Data updated: 2026-10-15
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ember-focus-and-app-blocker/id6757117435/reviews.md

## What is Ember?

Stop mindless scrolling. Take back your day. Meet Ember, your personal focus companion.

Most app blockers fail because they are cold, boring, or easy to switch off the moment an urge hits. Ember changes that by combining unbreakable Apple Screen Time blocking with a warm, gamified sanctuary you will actually love opening.

Whether you need to study for exams, enter deep work at the office, or disconnect before sleep, Ember shields your attention so you can be fully present.

HOW EMBER HELPS YOU WIN YOUR TIME BACK

• Instant App Blocking
Select the social media, games, or shopping apps that pull you away. Tap start and they vanish behind Ember’s shield instantly.

• Smart Automated Schedules
Set recurring focus blocks for mornings, work hours, or bedtime. Ember shields distractions automatically every single day without you lifting a finger.

• Unbreakable Locked Mode
When temptation strikes, Locked Mode requires a 15 minute countdown before you can pause your session. That short delay breaks the dopamine loop and keeps your willpower intact.

• Keep the Fire Lit
Every minute of focus feeds your campfire. Complete sessions to build daily streaks, kindle warm embers, and earn peaceful milestone badges.

• The Den Sanctuary
Level up your cozy mountain cabin as you focus. Unlock eight handcrafted decor upgrades including wool blankets, steaming herbal tea, antique journals, a stone hearth, and a shimmering starlit aurora.

• Soothing Cabin Atmospheres
Pair your focus sessions with calming ambient audio like crackling hearth embers, peaceful rain, and quiet nighttime soundscapes.

• Home and Lock Screen Widgets
Check your focus streak and daily progress at a glance without ever getting sucked into your phone. Add widgets to your Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center.

• 100% Private and Secure
Your privacy comes first. Ember uses Apple Screen Time technology running entirely on device. We never track, inspect, or store your app usage or browsing history. Everything stays yours.

PERFECT FOR

• College students and professionals needing deep study sessions
• Anyone looking to break social media and doomscrolling addiction
• Remote workers seeking structured work boundaries
• Mindful individuals creating quiet evenings and better sleep hygiene

EMBER PRO

Upgrade to Ember Pro to unlock unlimited app blocking, unlimited schedules, strict Locked Mode, and all cozy soundscapes.

Privacy Policy: https://focusshieldapp.web.app/privacy
Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Block distracting apps
- One-tap focus mode
- Schedule app blocking
- Block apps during specific times
- Clean and calm design
- Privacy-first, no tracking
- Uses Apple Screen Time technology

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Plan | $2.99 | per month |
| Annual Plan | $14.99 | per year |


## Is Ember safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess Ember.

## Is Ember legit?

Ember: Focus & App Blocker appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Ember is 65 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/ember-focus-and-app-blocker/id6757117435/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Total lie

*2026-07-06*

How is this system wide blocking it doesn’t even work

**Developer response:** Hi there, I’m really sorry the blocking isn't working for you yet! Because of how iOS handles privacy, the app requires a one-time activation in your device settings to work system-wide.

Please try these quick steps:

Open your iPhone Settings.

Scroll down to Focus Shield.

Ensure all permissions and blocking permissions are toggled ON.

If it's still giving you trouble, please reach out to us at hiru.wlc@gmail.com so we can help you get it sorted out right away. We want to make sure it works perfectly for you!

## Frequently asked questions about Ember

### What is App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield?

App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield is a productivity tool designed to help users block distracting applications and improve their focus. It utilizes Apple's Screen Time technology to allow users to schedule app blocking for specific times or activities like work and study.

### Does App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield have ads?

No, App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield is ad-free. The app explicitly states 'No ads. No tracking. No data selling.' in its description, ensuring an uninterrupted user experience.

### What are the subscription options for App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield?

App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield offers auto-renewable subscriptions for premium features. These include a Monthly Plan priced at $2.99/month with a 3-day free trial, and an Annual Plan at $14.99/year.

### How does App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield protect user privacy?

The app prioritizes privacy by not tracking user activity, not reading messages, and not collecting personal data. All controls are user-initiated and managed directly on the device, adhering to Apple's privacy standards.

### On which devices does App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield work?

App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield is supported on iPhone devices. It leverages Apple's Screen Time APIs, indicating compatibility with iOS operating systems.

### How often is App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield updated?

The latest version of App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield is 1.4.1, and it was last updated on July 15, 2026. This suggests a relatively frequent update cycle for the application.

### What is the age rating for App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield?

App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield has an age rating of 12+. This indicates that the content and functionality are considered appropriate for users aged 12 and above.

### Can I cancel my App Blocker: Mind Focus Shield subscription?

Yes, you can manage and cancel your subscriptions in your App Store account settings. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.0 — 2026-10-13

Welcome to the brand new Ember experience. We rebuilt the app from the ground up to make reclaiming your attention rewarding, peaceful, and unbreakable.

Here is what is new in version 2.0:
 • Meet Ember: Your cozy focus companion who stays by your side during every focus block.
 • The Living Den: Keep your campfire lit by focusing daily. Unlock eight unique cabin decorations including wool blankets, brass lanterns, herbal tea, and a northern lights aurora.
 • True Screen Time Blocking: Powered by official Apple Screen Time controls to reliably stop distracting apps at the system level.
 • Locked Mode: Adds a mandatory 15 minute delay when you feel the urge to quit early. Outlast impulse scrolling without loopholes.
 • Smart Schedules: Set work, study, and bedtime routines that activate automatically every day.
 • Cozy Soundscapes: Immerse yourself in soothing ambient audio including gentle rain and crackling hearth embers.
 • Beautiful Widgets: Track your streak and focus status right from your Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center.
 • Complete Privacy: All blocking runs 100% on device. Your personal browsing and app activity never leave your phone.

### 1.5.1 — 2026-09-21

* Bug fixes and improvments

### 1.5.0 — 2026-07-30

Focus Shield just got more alive literally.

• New 3D Shield: Tap to activate blocking and watch the shield flip in real 3D, right on your Home screen.
• Focus Orb: A glowing orb in Focus Insights that brightens and pulses faster the longer your streak runs.
• Smarter Session History: Recent Sessions shows a quick preview, with "See All" to browse your full history by day.
• Widget Upgrade: Your 3D shield now shows up on the Home Screen widget too.

Still 100% on device, zero tracking and built to keep blocking apps even after you close Focus Shield.

### 1.4.1 — 2026-07-15

* Minor bug fixes and improvements

### 1.4.0 — 2026-07-13

Focus Shield now works even when you're not looking.

• Scheduled blocking is now fully reliable in the background — your
  shield applies and clears right on time, even if you never open the app.
• Fixed an issue causing duplicate notifications for the same event.
• New: Locked Mode (Pro) — add a short delay before you can stop
  blocking early, so a moment of temptation doesn't undo your whole
  focus session.
• Faster to get started: the upgrade screen loads quicker and no
  longer keeps you waiting.
• Various stability and reliability improvements under the hood.

Thanks for using Focus Shield — as always, tap "Send Feedback" in
Settings if something's not working right for you.

## Apps similar to Ember

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [DetoxLock: Extreme App Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detoxlock-extreme-app-blocker/id6504188981) | 4.7 (499) | Free | Productivity |
| [Refocus: App Blocker & Lock](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refocus-app-blocker-and-lock/id1645639057) | 4.8 (11,541) | Free | Productivity |
| [BlockerX:Adult Content Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockerxadult-content-blocker/id1522854086) | 4.4 (8,317) | Free | Productivity |
| [AppBlock: Block Apps, Websites](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/appblock-block-apps-websites/id1515753232) | 4.6 (6,814) | Free | Productivity |
| [Freedom: Screen Time Control](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228) | 4.4 (5,947) | Free | Productivity |
| [BlockSite: Block Apps & Focus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blocksite-block-apps-and-focus/id1474967653) | 4.2 (6,186) | Free | Productivity |

## More apps by Lahiru Chathuranga

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- [LovePause: Cozy Couples](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lovepause-cozy-couples/id6761849315)

All apps by Lahiru Chathuranga: https://appshunter.io/developer/1830723819

## Related topics

[app blocker shield](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/app-blocker-shield)

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*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 2026-10-15.*