# Grip: Screen Time Control — Block apps. Pay to override. > App blocker that charges users to access distracting apps. (iPhone/iPad app by Joingrip LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grip-screen-time-control/id6744878853 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Joingrip LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809720479) - Category: Productivity, Health & Fitness - Price: Free with in-app purchases (on sale, was $4.99) - Rating: 5.00/5 from 30 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.6 · 37 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2025-08-18 - Data updated: 2026-07-16 - Monetization: subscription - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grip-screen-time-control/id6744878853/reviews.md ## What is Grip? The first app to make distractions costly ($4.99 to access Instagram or TikTok)—get a grip on your life with instant blocks, daily limits, and scheduled focus sessions. As the ultimate screen time control app, Grip helps you block apps, limit screen time, and build better habits. Successful people don't have stronger willpower, they use tools that aggressively protect their time and energy. Grip is that ironclad app blocker for anyone who: - Feels the drain of doomscrolling and excessive screen time - Tried other tools like basic blockers but bypassed them too easily - Wants a system to stop their smartphone from stealing focus Grip turns distractions into a real cost, so you treat your time like it's worth something. Rated 5 stars by users: "Finally, an app that works!" KEY FEATURES: 1. Power Grip: Instant App Blocks: Block distracting apps like Instagram or TikTok immediately for a set duration. Schedule automatic blocks—e.g., no social media for the first 30 minutes after waking up. Perfect for screen time control and daily focus. 2. Iron Grip: Indefinite Blocking with Limits: Apps stay blocked until you choose to unlock. Set custom limits on unlocks per app (frequency) and duration per session, giving you total control over usage. 3. Releases: Paid Unblocks for Controlled Access: Need a quick check? Use Releases—an in-app paid feature—to temporarily access blocked apps. Get 3 free emergency Releases per month with your subscription. This paywall mechanic ensures mindful decisions, unlike easy overrides in other focus apps. Download now and start your free trial! Subscription Terms: Grip offers a 3-day free trial, then $4.99/month or $59.99/year. Cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. LEGAL INFORMATION Terms of Use: https://joingrip.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://joingrip.io/privacy ## Key features - Instant app blocks - Daily screen time limits - Scheduled focus sessions - Paid unblocks for controlled access - Customizable unlock limits - Automatic block scheduling ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Grip: Screen Time Control | $4.99 | per month | | Grip: Screen Time Control | $59.99 | per year | **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 Release | $4.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 14) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grip-screen-time-control/id6744878853/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Take Control of Your Time with Grip! *2026-04-14, version 1.7.2* I work in tech and my evenings used to disappear into scrolling after work. I tried Screen Time limits and other apps, but it was always too easy to ignore them. Grip is the first thing that worked. Having to pay to unlock the app once I hit my limit sounded extreme, but that small consequence completely changed my behavior. I started putting my phone down finally. Now I actually spend time with family and go to bed earlier instead of doomscrolling for hours. Simple idea, but incredibly effective. I wish I found this sooner. ### 5/5 — Best Screen Time Control App! *2026-03-26, version 1.7.2* I’ve tried a lot of apps for screen time control but Grip has helped me the most. There really isn’t any way to get around unlocking a blocked app without making a payment and that’s really helped limit the time I spend scrolling. Definitely get the app if you are trying to limit screen time! ### 5/5 — Great *2026-03-25, version 1.7.2* I love the idea of making me pay to use apps I don’t want to use but am addicted to. It’s an effective deterrent to help me spend my time how I want to instead of how tech companies want me to. ### 5/5 — Love it *2026-02-05, version 1.7.1* Iron Grip works well for weekends or days when I want to limit Instagram while still allowing short breaks. It noticeably reduced how much I scroll. Power Grip is ideal for studying or class when I don’t want any temptation to use my phone, since it requires a $4.99 payment, it’s very effective. Overall, I really like it and would say it’s better than Opal. ### 5/5 — Grip *2026-02-05, version 1.7.1* This app helps me stay locked in for sure. TikTok keeps me distracted from studying or doing homework so I just use this app whenever I'm struggling. It's easy to use, reasonably priced and will help build long term habits. ### 5/5 — 10/10!! *2026-02-04, version 1.7.1* I started with Opal but I still found ways around it and would continue to bypass the locks so it didn’t work very well. With Grip it was much harder to bypass and kept me accountable which was needed. When an app is blocked it stays blocked which worked really well keeping me off social media and getting my screen time down ### 5/5 — Would Highly recommend *2026-02-02, version 1.7.1* Great app! I would def recommend if you really want to cut back on social media ### 5/5 — good for stopping doomscrolling *2026-01-22, version 1.7* This was an effective way to snap me out of mindless engagement with my phone. I recommend!! ### 5/5 — Amazing app!! *2026-01-21* I’ve been addicted to my phone for over a decade and I’ve been trying to create a healthy boundary for about a year now. Most apps I’ve tried are really easy to bypass but this one actually works. **Developer response:** Way to take back your focus!🍊 ### 5/5 — Social media addiction faded away *2026-01-19, version 1.7* I was a victim of social media addiction for many years. I have used many screen time blocking apps, hid my phone in a bag or just found ways to not have my phone around. Nothing worked because I’d need my phone for emergencies and I just didn’t know how to stop myself from doom scrolling. Grip’s paywall made me not only focus on myself but also now I cherish small moments of my life like spending time with my close friends at a cafe or taking a bite alone without checking my phone constantly. ## Frequently asked questions about Grip ### What does Grip: Screen Time Control do? Grip is an app designed to help users control their screen time and reduce distractions. It allows you to block specific apps, set daily limits, and schedule focus sessions. The app's unique feature is its paywall mechanic, where users pay a small fee to access blocked apps, making distractions costly and encouraging mindful usage. ### What are the key features of Grip? Key features include 'Power Grip' for instant app blocks and scheduled automatic blocks, 'Iron Grip' for indefinite blocking with customizable unlock limits, and 'Releases' which allow temporary access to blocked apps via paid unblocks. Users receive 3 free emergency Releases per month with their subscription. ### How much does Grip cost? Grip offers a 3-day free trial. After the trial, it costs $4.99 per month or $59.99 per year. You can cancel your subscription at any time through your App Store account settings. ### Who is Grip for? This app is ideal for anyone who feels overwhelmed by doomscrolling, struggles with excessive screen time, or has found other basic blockers too easy to bypass. It's for individuals who want a robust system to prevent their smartphone from stealing their focus and energy. ### Can I access blocked apps if I really need to? Yes, you can access blocked apps through the 'Releases' feature. This allows for temporary access to apps you've blocked. You get 3 free emergency Releases each month with your subscription, and additional access can be purchased if needed, ensuring that unblocking is a conscious decision. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.7.2 — 2026-02-06 Your distraction control just got tougher! A huge thank you to our users for the incredible feedback and 5-star reviews. You're the reason we're building the ultimate app blocker: paywall distractions like Instagram ($4.99 to access!), set daily limits, schedule focus sessions, and get a grip on your life. We've fixed minor glitches to make Grip even more reliable. Update now and keep reclaiming your time. More enhancements coming soon! ### 1.7.1 — 2026-01-31 Your distraction control just got tougher! A huge thank you to our users for the incredible feedback and 5-star reviews. You're the reason we're building the ultimate app blocker: paywall distractions like Instagram ($4.99 to access!), set daily limits, schedule focus sessions, and get a grip on your life. We've fixed minor glitches to make Grip even more reliable and added an annual subscription option. Update now and keep reclaiming your time. More enhancements coming soon! ### 1.7 — 2026-01-19 Your distraction control just got tougher! A huge thank you to our users for the incredible feedback and 5-star reviews. You're the reason we're building the ultimate app blocker: paywall distractions like Instagram ($4.99 to access!), set daily limits, schedule focus sessions, and get a grip on your life. We've fixed minor glitches to make Grip even more reliable. Update now and keep reclaiming your time. More enhancements coming soon! ### 1.6 — 2025-12-23 bug fixes ### 1.5 — 2025-12-15 bug fixes ## Apps similar to Grip | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Screen Time Limit-Free Control](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-limit-free-control/id6670793617) | — | Free | Productivity | | [Helm — Your Phone, Your Terms](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helm-your-phone-your-terms/id6743525335) | 4.2 (15) | Free | Productivity | | [ZENTAG Focus Control App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zentag-focus-control-app/id6745537010) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Productivity | | [Luminexa App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminexa-app/id6468910183) | — | Free | Productivity | | [touch grass: screen time limit](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touch-grass-screen-time-limit/id6739589530) | 4.7 (2,958) | Free | Productivity | | [Focus Flow: Digital Detox Pet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-flow-digital-detox-pet/id6627342707) | 5.0 (3) | Free | Productivity | --- *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 2026-07-16.*