# Grounded \| Screen Time Blocker — Break bad phone habits & focus > App blocker that coaches users to build better phone habits and track real-world activities. (iPhone/iPad app by Blake Vonder Haar.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grounded-screen-time-blocker/id6755366681 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Blake Vonder Haar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1853434377) - Category: Productivity - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings - Age rating: 17+ - Requires: iOS 18.1 · 58 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-07-12 - Data updated: 2026-08-01 - Monetization: subscription - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grounded-screen-time-blocker/id6755366681/reviews.md ## What is Grounded | Screen Time Blocker? Break the habit of mindless scrolling, and reclaim your time! Grounded interrupts your automatic scrolling and helps you build better habits. Traditional app blockers just slap a lock on your screen without addressing the underlying habit, leaving you frustrated and looking for workarounds. Grounded works like a coach. It guides you through an intentional pause using quick activities, like taking a second to breathe or reflecting on your triggers, to help you wake up from that scrolling trance. When you choose to put the phone down, or log offline habits like reading and stretching, Grounded rewards your progress by turning your real-world wins into a thriving tree. HOW IT WORKS Set your limits: Pick the apps that distract you the most and choose when to pause them, like during work, dinner, or before bed. Pause and reflect: When you try to open a blocked app, Grounded gives you a helpful pause. You can do a quick breathing exercise, figure out what triggered your urge, or answer a short question about how you feel. Walk away and grow: After the pause, the choice is yours. If you decide not to open the app and put your phone down, you are rewarded! Your tree grows to celebrate your focus. Track real-world habits: On the activities tab, you can add quick, easy things you would rather do than scroll (like stretching or reading). Log these habits when you finish them, and watch your tree grow even more! WHY IT WORKS Coach, not cop: You stay in control. Grounded offers a moment to think instead of harsh lockouts you cannot change. Awareness builds change: Short exercises help you see why you picked up your phone (like being bored or stressed) so you can make a better choice next time. Double the rewards: You get rewarded for the bad habits you stop (walking away from scrolling) AND the good habits you start (logging your daily goals). PRIVACY AND CONTROL Your Data is Yours: We only collect the data necessary to power your Grounded experience, such as your manual reflections and habit choices, so you can track your personal progress. Powered by Apple Screen Time: Grounded utilizes Apple’s official Screen Time API to securely pause your distracting apps. Zero Screen Time Tracking: Grounded never collects, sees, or accesses your private device usage data. Apple secures your Screen Time data in a read-only sandbox on your device, ensuring it remains completely invisible to us and 100% private to you. *All features described above require a subscription.* Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - Intentional pause with reflection activities - Rewards for putting phone down - Track real-world habits like reading - Customizable app limits - Uses Apple Screen Time API - Privacy-focused data handling ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Grounded Pro - Annual | $34.99 | per year | | Grounded Pro - Monthly | $9.99 | per month | ## Frequently asked questions about Grounded | Screen Time Blocker ### What is Grounded? Grounded is a productivity app designed to help users break bad phone habits, like mindless scrolling, by offering guided pauses and rewarding positive behavior. It acts as a coach to encourage intentional usage and habit building. ### How does Grounded help me stop scrolling? When you attempt to open a blocked app, Grounded initiates a brief pause. During this pause, you can engage in quick activities like breathing exercises or reflecting on your triggers, helping you become more aware of your urges and make a conscious choice to put your phone down. ### Does Grounded have ads? No, Grounded does not contain advertisements. The app is subscription-based, with all features requiring a subscription. ### What are the subscription options for Grounded? Grounded offers a monthly subscription for $9.99/P1M and an annual subscription for $34.99/P1Y. The annual plan includes a 7-day free trial. ### How does Grounded use Apple Screen Time? Grounded securely utilizes Apple's official Screen Time API to pause distracting apps. This integration ensures your device usage data remains private and is handled within a read-only sandbox on your device. ### What age rating is Grounded suitable for? Grounded has an age rating of 17+, indicating it is intended for mature users. This is likely due to the focus on self-control and habit management. ### How often is Grounded updated? The latest version of Grounded is 1.0.1, and it was last updated on July 15, 2026. This suggests a recent update, with potential for future improvements and bug fixes. ### What makes Grounded different from other app blockers? Unlike traditional app blockers that simply lock your screen, Grounded acts as a coach. It incorporates reflection activities and rewards for both stopping bad habits and starting good ones, fostering a more holistic approach to habit change. ## Version history (last 2 releases) ### 1.0.1 — 2026-07-15 Bug fixes. ### 1.0 — 2026-07-12 No release notes. --- *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 2026-08-01.*