# Normal: Screen Time Control — Open-source app blocker > Open-source app blocker using NFC, QR codes, or location for access. (iPhone/iPad app by Normal Engineering Inc..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/normal-screen-time-control/id6768861415 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Normal Engineering Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896611331) - Category: Productivity, Health & Fitness - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.90/5 from 24 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 18.0 · 4 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-05-16 - Data updated: 2026-08-29 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/normal-screen-time-control/id6768861415/reviews.md ## What is Normal? Normal actually makes you use your phone less by keeping selected apps blocked by default. To unblock you have to physically scan an NFC Tag, QR Code or use a Location. This can be any NFC Tag, QR Code, Barcode, Location you set in the app. This 'opt-in' approach is backed by research and actual use. Normal is made to be the most powerful screen time app available. Saving your hours of your day. It's fully open-source and no features are behind paywalls. It can also be made to be impossible to bypass. Highlights of Normal: - Block Apps via NFC Tags, QR Codes and Barcodes - Use ANY NFC Tag, QR Code or Barcode - Unblock/Block specific Apps - Timed Unblocks - Emergency Unblocks - Scheduling - Complete Granular Control - Can make it as easy or as hard to bypass Normal was made because of issues with some other screen time apps. - Other screen time apps are easy to bypass. Normal can be made to be impossible to bypass, or easy to bypass. You have complete control. - Most other screen time apps work on opt-out strategy, where you have access to all apps, then lose access through usage. - Normal works on opt-in strategy. The apps you have blocked are always blocked, to use them you have to physically get up and scan your NFC tag or QR Code. - Most screen time apps are paid, either one-time or more commonly, subscriptions. There are no paid features. Everything is free and open-source. - Normal is privacy-focused. We don't log any data, everything stays on device. Since we're open source, you can check our code and confirm. - Normal allows timed unlocks. Other NFC/QR Code blockers don't have this. If you want to use an app for 15min, you can unlock it for 15min only. You don't have to remember to reblock. Normal was made by actual users, research on smartphone addiction and developments in dumbphones in-mind. If you want to turn your iPhone into a dumbphone, you can. Block all smart apps, block the app store, prevent disabling normal (via preventing delete and the shortcuts trick). Now you have a dumbphone, which you can't make smart without your NFC Tag (which you can make as difficult as you need). If you want a semi-dumbphone, you can. Do the above but have some apps like maps, music, messaging, etc. If you're a professional who needs access to apps distracting sometimes, Normal is for you! Block all distractions with Normal. Set schedules for you work apps or used timed unblocks. Need 15min to post content or check email? You can do that! You just have to physically get up and scan your NFC Tag, QR Code, or Barcode. The apps will automatically reblock after your timer is over. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - Block apps via NFC, QR codes, and barcodes - Use any NFC tag, QR code, or barcode - Unblock/block specific apps - Timed unblocks - Scheduling - Granular control - Bypass prevention options ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Monthly Support | $5.00 | per month | | Monthly Support | $10.00 | per month | | Monthly Support | $20.00 | per month | **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | One-time Donation | $5.00 | one-time | | One-time Donation | $10.00 | one-time | | One-time Donation | $20.00 | one-time | | One-time Donation | $50.00 | one-time | | One-time Donation | $100.00 | one-time | | One-time Donation | $200.00 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (8 of 8) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/normal-screen-time-control/id6768861415/reviews.md ### 5/5 — it’s good! *2026-07-07* simple and easy to set up. i use my library card barcode as my key and it works very well. i like that i can choose how long to unlock the apps. genuinely helps me stay off unnecessary websites and mindless scrolling. so far no pieces of feedback. thanks for making an easy and free to use app! **Developer response:** Yeah timing unblock was the main reason I made this, glad it's working so well for you! Feel free to reach out if any more feedback, info@normalengineering.org ### 5/5 — Free, Open Source, Works! *2026-06-23* A fantastic tool, highly customizable, completely free to set up and use. Way better than paying a subscription and buying locked down hardware for other screen time apps. **Developer response:** Thank you! If you have any questions or feedback feel free to reach out! info@normalengineering.org ### 5/5 — A perfect utility app *2026-05-31* Seriously, this is the best and most intuitively/simple apps that just works without fuss or tinkering. Anything you’d want to do works with absolute ease and it makes this a “set it and forget” thing, where you can block things and never have to worry about the app or glitches or anything, unlike other apps. If I had to give any feedback, although it is a really small quality-of-life feature, I would really like a widget and/or shortcut that allows for quick and easy enabling of the scanner so we can just click it and quickly block and unblock without having to manually go in the app and do so. Other than that, absolute delight to use ^^ ! **Developer response:** I’ve just added widgets in the new update, thanks for your suggestion! Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or feedback info@normalengineering.org ### 5/5 — Best app *2026-05-25* Best screen time control app. Has no stupid paywalls. **Developer response:** Thank you! ### 5/5 — An amazing app *2026-05-24* This app is so good it works perfectly it doesn’t collect data and is free and open source. Try this before buying a new dumbphone. I have one suggestion for the creator, if you can please make it work also for macos. That would be great! **Developer response:** MacOS is actually my next step! Getting user feedback and making the iOS version perfect then MacOS If you have any feedback please don’t hesitate to reach out, info@normalengineering.org ### 5/5 — Amazing *2026-05-23* This app is absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for all your hard work. It has been great for limiting my kids screen time. **Developer response:** Thank you so much, great to hear! I was wondering if people would use this to manage their kids screentimes, it makes a lot of sense since you can manage NFC/QRs easily and there’s the physical aspect of that. Really happy it’s working great for you. One thing to note is kids may be able to access ‘Emergency Unblock’. While they only get 3 of these, just wanted to bring it up. The new update next week will have the Emergency Unblock sync up with iCloud so it’s a bit stricter. I was thinking of adding a PIN for emergency unblock for parents/kid use. But not sure if I should anymore. Feel free to reach out if you have any more feedback, concerns or suggestions for your use case, info@normalengineering.org. ### 5/5 — App does what it says it can do *2026-05-21* I was searching for ways to make my smartphone more dumb and this app was able to do that for me! It works by using the “Screen Time Limit” function Apple Products have and removing the option to extend the time limit right in the limited app. There are other advanced options you can use as well. I appreciate this developer’s honesty towards creating a product that is useful and deciding not to profit off of it. They’re doing it purely to help us and nothing more. Thank you!!! **Developer response:** Thank you so much! Feel free to reach out if you have any more feedback or requests info@normalengineering.org ### 5/5 — Works great *2026-05-19* Very good app and it’s free **Developer response:** Thank you! ## Frequently asked questions about Normal ### How does Normal help reduce screen time? Normal blocks selected apps by default, requiring a physical scan of an NFC tag, QR code, or barcode, or a specific location to unblock them. This 'opt-in' strategy encourages intentional app usage and reduces mindless scrolling. ### Can Normal be made difficult to bypass? Yes, Normal is designed to be highly customizable. It can be configured to be impossible to bypass, or conversely, easy to bypass, giving you complete control over its strictness. ### Does Normal offer timed unblocks? Yes, Normal allows for timed unblocks. You can unlock an app for a specific duration, such as 15 minutes, after which it will automatically reblock without you needing to remember. ### Is Normal free to use? Yes, Normal is completely free and open-source. No features are hidden behind paywalls or require in-app purchases. ### What devices does Normal support? Normal is available for iPhone and iPad devices. ### How often is Normal updated? The latest version of Normal is 1.4, and it was last updated on June 22, 2026. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing development and support. ### Does Normal have ads? No, Normal does not contain advertisements. As an open-source application, it focuses on user experience without intrusive ads. ### What is the age rating for Normal? Normal has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.4 — 2026-06-22 Lots of new features and fixes! Thanks to community feedback, Normal now has: - Location Keys - Dynamic Island/Live Activity - In-App Donations - Group-only Keys - Reliable Scheduling - Widgets + Lots of other improvements and bug fixes! ### 1.2.3 — 2026-05-21 Fixed app count. Onboarding improvements. Other bug fixes and improvements. ### 1.2.2 — 2026-05-20 Fixed sizing issue with groups and schedules. Key list now shows different labels for QR and Barcode. Other bug fixes and improvements. ### 1.2.1 — 2026-05-18 Added barcode support. Other bug fixes and improvements. ### 1.2 — 2026-05-17 Expanded support to iOS 18+. Updated QR scanner, now faster and better feedback. Updated FAQ and onboarding. Other bug fixes and improvements. ## Related topics [normal](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/normal) · [chinchilla minny new normal](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chinchilla-minny-new-normal) · [iqropomodorotimer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/iqropomodorotimer) · [qili screen](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/qili-screen) · [bonoscan](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bonoscan) --- *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 2026-08-29.*