Helm — Your Phone, Your Terms

Helm — Your Phone, Your Terms

Build better screen habits

20 ratings
14 reviews
Free

Details

Released
August 15, 2025
Updated
November 4, 2026

Features

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About

This app helps you build better screen habits by blocking distracting applications during focus sessions. It utilizes a physical device to prevent easy disabling, offers customizable app limits, and can integrate with health goals to unlock apps.

✓Physical device for focus sessions
✓Customizable app blocking
✓Daily app limits with enforcement levels
✓Health goal integration for unlocking apps
✓Scheduled focus modes
✓Breaks and lifelines
✓Guardian Mode for accountability
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What's New in Helm

2.1.1

November 4, 2026

Move limits keep apps locked until you hit a step or workout goal, on the days you pick. An app with an opens limit now asks how many minutes you want before it opens. A lifeline can also unlock the app limits you've hit today. You can turn this off in Settings. Settings is simpler, and a running session keeps blocking after Helm restarts.

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User reviews

Biggest improvement in my life this year

I've tried apps and other things to break phone addiction, but something about Helm just stuck. I use it and shut off my phone at 9:30 p.m. every day, and I'm forced to actually use the hardware to unlock it every morning. You fall to the level of your system, so this forces me to go to sleep early and not start my day doomscrolling.

The design of the hardware feels it feels great in my hands. I love the UI of the app. occasionally I run into bugs, but the team is super responsive and has A+ customer service
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Very smooth

One of first products tried for focus. It works!

A Beautiful Game Changer!

I’ve used several products like this over the years but this is the best by far. Everything is effortless and there is something about the physical product that makes me way more compliant. It’s designed beautifully as well.

It works

Gotten much better as an app. Way less buggy. Does what it says on the tin, becoming a part of daily life now.

Non functional to create multiple schedules for morning then workday then bed…. Support zero help

Not ready too many bugs

Response from developer

Since January we've shipped targeted fixes for scheduled sessions specifically: blocking now reliably activates for sessions that start in the background, overnight schedules now calculate duration correctly, and we added a retry mechanism on iOS when schedule configuration fails to load on startup. These were real gaps that affected exactly what you described — multiple schedules across a day. We've also done a *ton* of general stability work. If you're open to giving it another look, we think the experience is meaningfully better. Thanks!

FAQ

How does Helm help me focus?

Helm uses a physical device that you interact with to start and end focus sessions. This physical separation makes it harder to bypass focus modes compared to software-only solutions, helping you stay on task.

Can I set limits on specific apps with Helm?

Yes, Helm allows you to set daily limits on app usage, such as time spent on social media or the number of times an app can be opened. You can choose enforcement levels from Casual to Locked.

Does Helm integrate with health tracking?

Yes, Helm can connect to Apple Health to use step or exercise goals as unlock conditions for limited apps. Your health data remains on your device and is not uploaded.

What are Focus Modes in Helm?

Focus Modes allow you to create custom profiles for different contexts, such as 'Deep Work' to block all but essential apps, 'Writing' to allow music, or 'Meetings' to block social media. You can switch between these modes with a single tap.

How often is Helm updated?

The latest version of Helm is 2.1.1, and it was last updated on November 4, 2026. Updates typically address bug fixes and introduce new features to enhance user experience.

Is Helm available on Android?

Based on the provided data, Helm is supported on iPhone and iPad. There is no information indicating Android compatibility at this time.

What is Guardian Mode in Helm?

Guardian Mode adds an extra layer of accountability by locking your settings behind a PIN, with optional Face ID. This prevents you from changing blocked apps, disabling schedules, or reducing limits without authorization.

Does Helm have ads?

No, Helm does not contain advertisements. The app is free to use and does not display any ads to users.