# MindGate: Focus App Blocker — Complete Challenge,Then Scroll > Focus app blocker that uses cognitive challenges to break scrolling habits. (iPhone/iPad app by Diu Vladimir.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mindgate-focus-app-blocker/id6754816039 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Diu Vladimir](https://appshunter.io/developer/1850268040) - Category: Productivity, Health & Fitness - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.6 · 29 MB - Released: 2026-03-31 - Data updated: 2026-07-01 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mindgate-focus-app-blocker/id6754816039/reviews.md ## What is MindGate? Most app blockers just say NO. MindGate makes you think first — and most people change their mind themselves. That's how you actually break the habit instead of fighting it. You open Instagram for "just a second." Forty minutes later you're still scrolling. It's not weakness — it's autopilot. MindGate puts one small moment of awareness between the impulse and the tap: before you enter, your brain has to wake up first. When dopamine stops being free, you stop scrolling on reflex — and start deciding on purpose. Nothing opens on autopilot. WORKS WITH THE APPS THAT HIJACK YOU Block Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Snapchat, X — or any app you choose. HOW IT WORKS SOLVE A CHALLENGE TO UNLOCK Every time you reach for a blocked app, MindGate interrupts the autopilot with a quick brain challenge — a moment to choose consciously: • Math Problems — solve an equation before you scroll • Breathing Exercise — calm your nervous system, then decide • Stroop Test — forces your brain from autopilot into active mode • Typing — type a phrase to confirm you actually want to be here Most people close the app themselves. That's not failure — that's the whole point: you made a conscious choice. SET YOUR SESSION TIME You decide how long you need — 5, 10, 20 minutes or custom. The longer you ask for, the harder the challenge to unlock it, so the choice always stays deliberate. No surprises. AUTO RE-LOCK When time's up, MindGate locks the app automatically. No "just five more minutes." TRACK YOUR PROGRESS See how much time you reclaim each day — and how many times you chose to stop. Every app you close is a win, not just a blocked minute. Weekly and monthly trends show how your habits change over time. WHY MINDGATE • Adds a moment of awareness before every tap • Dopamine stops being free — so you use your phone on purpose • Break doomscrolling without relying on willpower • A dopamine detox that actually changes the habit • Use your phone as a tool, not a trap Take back your attention. One conscious choice at a time. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - Cognitive challenges before app access - Customizable session timers - Automatic app re-locking - Progress tracking and trends - Supports blocking social media and other apps - Dopamine detox for habit change ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | MindGate Premium Monthly | $2.99 | per month | | MindGate Premium Yearly | $19.99 | per year | ## Frequently asked questions about MindGate ### What is MindGate? MindGate is a productivity app designed to help users break phone addiction by introducing a moment of awareness and a cognitive challenge before accessing distracting applications. It aims to make users more conscious of their phone usage. ### How does MindGate work? When you try to open a blocked app, MindGate presents a quick challenge like a math problem or a typing exercise. Successfully completing the challenge unlocks the app for a set duration, encouraging a conscious decision rather than an automatic reflex. ### What types of challenges does MindGate offer? MindGate offers several types of challenges, including solving math problems, performing a breathing exercise, completing a Stroop test, and typing a specific phrase to confirm your intention to use the app. ### Can I customize the challenges in MindGate? The app allows you to set your session time, and the difficulty of the challenge increases with longer requested session times. This ensures the choice to unlock an app remains deliberate. ### Does MindGate have ads? Yes, MindGate contains advertisements. This is a factor in its free with in-app purchases monetization model. ### What are the subscription options for MindGate? MindGate offers a Premium Monthly subscription for $2.99 and a Premium Yearly subscription for $19.99, which includes a 7-day free trial. ### What devices is MindGate available on? MindGate is available on iPhone and iPad devices, indicated by its compatibility with iOS. ### How often is MindGate updated? The latest version of MindGate is 1.0.5, and it was last updated on June 24, 2026. This suggests a recent update cycle. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.0.5 — 2026-06-24 Take back your attention — now with a smoother, sharper experience • New "I don't need it" moment — when you decide not to scroll, that's a win. We celebrate it, and your Stats now show how many times you chose to stop ### 1.0.4 — 2026-06-08 Bug fixes ### 1.0.3 — 2026-04-17 Bug fixes and ui improvements ### 1.0.2 — 2026-04-09 Bug fixes and performance improvements ### 1.0.1 — 2026-04-08 Bug fixes and ui improvements ## More apps by Diu Vladimir - [Quran Widget:Verses & 99 Names](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quran-widgetverses-and-99-names/id6764872734) All apps by Diu Vladimir: https://appshunter.io/developer/1850268040 --- *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 2026-07-01.*