# Opal: Screen Time Control — Focus, App Blocker & Timer > App blocker and timer for improved focus, productivity, and reduced screen time. (iPhone/iPad app by Opal OS.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opal-screen-time-control/id1497465230 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Opal OS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1497465229) - Category: Productivity, Health & Fitness - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.70/5 from 86,639 App Store ratings · 5,429 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 18.0 · 286 MB - Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Romanian, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish - Released: 2020-10-12 - Data updated: 2026-08-29 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opal-screen-time-control/id1497465230/reviews.md ## What is Opal? Achieve screen time control with the world’s most-loved screen time app! Opal is the fun, free Screen Time app to improve your focus and make the most out of every day. 5 to 6 hours. That’s the average time you’ll spend looking at your phone today, often without realizing it. It's time to fight back. With a combination of screen time control, app limits, app blockers, real time data, leaderboards and rewards, you will focus better and accomplish your dreams, just like Opal’s members. **As of November 2024, Opal has saved humanity 120 Million hours from less screen time. ** Many of the world's top teams and companies trust Opal to help protect their focus. You can too. **Opal cut my screen time by 2 hours per day – Marketing at Google ** **You need this app. When I first got opal my daily screen-time was about 8 1/2 hours a day. Now it's 1 hour. ** **Opal has become an indispensable tool in my quest for productivity and mindful technology usage ** **Get Opal! - Ali Abdaal, productivity expert** BENEFITS Save 1 hour and 23 minutes per DAY from less screen time, on average. 94% of Opal members are less distracted 93% are more productive thanks to the app 90% report improved well-being Added benefits: - Better screen time control - Better productivity at work - Reduce stress, be more mindful - Supports focus challenges, including ADHD - Set daily work hours, sleep, and routines - Block apps to unplug and detox - Stay in focus when you need it most - You're happy and in control of your screen time FEATURES - #1 Screen Time Control: the most loved app for screen time control with 4.8/5. - #1 App Blocker: Instantly Block apps and websites you choose at a specific time of day throughout the week to organize your time. - Focus Difficulty: Make it hard, or make it a bit easier. Deep Focus won't let you cancel or bypass at all. - App Limits: Set daily usage limits on apps and websites to automatically block them and prevent overuse. - Mindful Block Screens: Discover quotes, puns and more every time you try to open an app or website you really shoudn't. - Blocklist & Allowlist: Easily pick any app, game or website you want to block or allow during your Blocks. - Focus Report: Measure your progress with clear metrics, actionable screen time stats, and benchmark against your peers. - Focus Score: Check your screen time and focus level at any point easily spotting Focus and Distracted time. - Calendar: Set daily working hours, sleep and routines, block apps automatically, so you don’t have to remember. - Precious Rewards: Unlock unique MileStones you can share with friends. - Leaderboard: Challenge friends to top the leaderboard, enhancing productivity, focus and keeping each other motivated. - Breaks: Choose the app you want to use, write your intention, and set a timer. - Focus Mode Integration: Sync your Opal Focus Sessions with iPhone Focus Mode to block apps. - Shortcut Integration: Connect iPhone shortcut automations to start/stop Focus Sessions based on app opens, time, location and more! - Focus Reminders: Get timely reminder notifications when you get distracted or reach a time limit. - Deep Focus: Need ultimate focus? Deep Focus is the maximum level of protection — you can’t bypass or cancel. - More Fun: Opal is guilt-free and fun. - Widget: Have Opal on your home screen! CREATE A PERSONALIZED APP BLOCK LIST Easily pick any app, game or website you want to block or allow to Block Apps. PRIVATE & SAFE We use Apple's Screen Time API in order to monitor and block apps you use. Installation is easy and takes a few seconds on your iPhone. Unlike most apps, Opal works entirely on your phone and personal browsing data never leaves your device. TERMS, PRIVACY & CONDITIONS Read on https://opal.so/terms & https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - Screen time control - App blocker - Set app limits - Focus modes - Productivity reports - Block apps and websites - Mindful block screens ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Yearly Plan | $89.99 | per year | | Yearly Plan | $69.99 | per year | | Opal Pro Subscription | $49.99 | per year | | Yearly Plan | $99.99 | per year | | Monthly Plan | $19.99 | per month | | Yearly Plan | $99.99 | per year | | Monthly Plan | $19.99 | per month | | Yearly Plan | $99.99 | per year | | Weekly Plan | $4.99 | per 7 days | | Weekly Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days | | Yearly Plan | $99.99 | per year | | Opal Student Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days | | Monthly Plan | $19.99 | per month | | Yearly Plan | $179.99 | per year | | Opal Pro Yearly | $99.99 | per year | | Yearly Plan | $129.99 | per year | ## Chart rankings - #93 in Top Free · Productivity (US App Store) - #45 in Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store) ## What do users think of Opal? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Helps reduce screen time - 🚀 Effective at blocking distracting apps - 💡 Customizable blocking schedules - 🎨 Aesthetically pleasing design - 🔒 Difficult to bypass blocks - 📈 Tracks and reports screen time - 🤔 Provides motivational messages **Cons** - 💰 Expensive subscription - 🐛 Buggy and unreliable at times - 🔓 Easy to bypass blocks in some cases - 🤯 Can be frustrating when blocks don't work as expected - 🕰️ Longer wait times to take breaks **Commonly reported bugs** - Blocks apps that are not selected - Inconsistent behavior when ending focus sessions - Crashes when trying to manage blocked apps - VPN issues causing other connectivity problems **Most requested features** - Allow more customization of blocked apps - Integrate with more productivity tools - Provide more granular time tracking and reporting - Offer a one-time purchase option - Improve stability and reduce bugs ## Recent user reviews (10 of 5,429) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opal-screen-time-control/id1497465230/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Constant resetting- bugged *2026-08-28, version 4.12* Constantly blocks the app right after you reset the rules. Had a streak of over a year, and noticed this bug throughout my use but it never happened more than once a day. Today I finally decided to delete this app, after resetting the blocking rule over 8x in 5 minutes. If you are going to have an app that blocks an app, make it good. Do not recommend. ### 2/5 — Drop the aesthetics *2026-08-27, version 4.12* I like what this app *does* but I cannot stand all the extra bs you have to work your way through before it’s functional. I don’t care about gems. I don’t care about streaks. It’s messy, it clogs the app up, it reduces functionality and hurts the user experience. I DREAD entering the app because it’s that painful to use. Just keep it simple and focus on what you do best, the app limitations, and simplify and clear out the rest of the junk. ### 5/5 — It Helps. *2026-08-27, version 4.12* Ive been trying to quit p### for years of my life and this just saved me get it now ### 1/5 — I hate this app *2026-08-27, version 4.12* This app is making me feel restricted and held back ### 2/5 — New updates broke time limits *2026-08-27, version 4.12* This app used to be really great, but recent updates have made it practically unusable. I typically keep my social media apps blocked as to avoid distractions, but on certain occasions where I need to unblock them it does not work. I will go into the Opal app, unblock the social media app, go into said app, and it will be immediately blocked again. To ACTUALLY unblock an app, I end up having to go into Opal multiple times. Sometimes, I will get notifications that my time limit is up on the app while I'm not even using it. It works well to keep me off my phone, but the time limits are flawed. ### 3/5 — Good App but recently fallen apart *2026-08-26, version 4.12* The app was useful and allowed me to control my time and still provide a good system of control. Since they overhauled the app like a month or two ago it has turned much more buggy. A lot of it is extremely glitchy and frustrating and the app freezes and crashes frequently. I didn’t see the necessity of changing it so dramatically in the first place. ### 1/5 — Why did you downgrade the app with updates? *2026-08-26, version 4.12* No longer have the ability to rate or exclude apps from being included in screen time...This was the best feature. ### 1/5 — Terrible Update *2026-08-26, version 4.12* Used to have this app and it genuinely helped me get my phone usage way down. But then it updated (assuming to collect more data on users bc it asks so many invasive questions now - also notifies you to constantly open the app for no reason) making it unusable after it finally asks you do you want the premium version. The app loads a black screen and then closes itself, not worth the redownload. Disappointing that prioritizing greed killed a perfectly fine app. ### 1/5 — Freezes and crashed *2026-08-26, version 4.12* App used to work just fine, but it has since been freezing and crashing constantly. I cannot pause rules ### 3/5 — Good, but needs a better update *2026-08-26, version 4.11* The app is very very slow when I try to use the unlock button, sometimes it’s so laggy, my screen crashes or freezes up, some other times I would scroll on the minute thing, and I want it to be 15 minutes but it’ll say “break for 2 minutes” or “break for 5 minutes” when I legit scrolled down to “15 minute break” it’s so laggy it’s ridiculous. I’m on an IPhone XR. So it’s probably the system doing it too. ## Frequently asked questions about Opal ### What does Opal: Screen Time Control do? Opal helps you manage your screen time by offering features like app blocking, setting usage limits, and promoting focus. It aims to reduce distractions, increase productivity, and improve overall digital well-being. ### What are the key features of Opal? Key features include #1 screen time control, an app blocker to block chosen apps and websites, focus modes with no bypass options, daily app limits, mindful block screens with quotes, block/allow lists, and detailed focus reports. ### How much does Opal cost? The app is free to download and use with in-app purchases available. This means you can access core features for free, with optional upgrades for advanced functionality or content. ### Is Opal compatible with my device? While the description doesn't explicitly state compatibility, it mentions integration with iPhone Focus Mode and Shortcut Integrations, suggesting it is available for iOS devices. Users should check their respective app store for specific version requirements. ### Who would benefit from using Opal? Opal is designed for anyone struggling with excessive screen time, distractions, or a lack of focus. This includes students, professionals, and individuals looking to improve their productivity, reduce stress, and achieve better digital balance. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 4.12 — 2026-08-26 New in 4.12 • Fixes and improvements New in 4.11 • Opal now spots dozens more distracting apps across games, sports, news and social • More fixes and polish What's next, in priority order • Keep hardening background blocking so every Rule applies on time, every time, without opening Opal • Making time limits clearer when you reach one, so the unblock option is never misleading • Clearer setup so it's obvious what Opal does, what a Rule is, and how unblocking works After this, we're excited to build much more — Family and School modes, Autofocus for intelligent, timely recommendations and interventions, more incredible timers, and more. We read everything you send us, and it shaped this list directly. Thank you. ### 4.11 — 2026-08-17 New in 4.11 • Opal now spots dozens more distracting apps across games, sports, news and social • More fixes and polish New in 4.10 • Open Opal straight from a block screen to unblock faster • Opal feels faster and uses less battery in Low Power Mode • See all your daily insights in one place, accessible from the home screen • Fixed an issue where children in a Family Sharing group saw no screen time • Better Japanese throughout the app • More fixes and polish What's next, in priority order • Keep hardening background blocking so every Rule applies on time, every time, without opening Opal • Making time limits clearer when you reach one, so the unblock option is never misleading • Clearer setup so it's obvious what Opal does, what a Rule is, and how unblocking works After this, we're excited to build much more — Family and School modes, Autofocus for intelligent, timely recommendations and interventions, more incredible timers, and more. We read everything you send us, and it shaped this list directly. Thank you. ### 4.10 — 2026-08-12 New in 4.10 • Open Opal straight from a block screen to unblock faster • Opal feels faster and uses less battery in Low Power Mode • See all your daily insights in one place, accessible from the home screen • Fixed an issue where children in a Family Sharing group saw no screen time • Better Japanese throughout the app • More fixes and polish New in 4.9 • More reliable blocking, including Focus filters and allow-only rules • Improved some screens for users in Japanese and Chinese • More performance work, plus fixes and polish across the app What's next, in priority order • Keep hardening background blocking so every Rule applies on time, every time, without opening Opal • Making time limits clearer when you reach one, so the unblock option is never misleading • Clearer setup so it's obvious what Opal does, what a Rule is, and how unblocking works After this, we're excited to build much more — Family and School modes, Autofocus for intelligent, timely recommendations and interventions, more incredible timers, and more. We read everything you send us, and it shaped this list directly. Thank you. ### 4.9 — 2026-08-07 New in 4.9 • More reliable blocking, including Focus filters and allow-only rules • Improved some screens for users in Japanese and Chinese • More performance work, plus fixes and polish across the app New in 4.8 Speed and performance • An across-the-board speed pass: faster cold launch, smoother Home and Stats scrolling, and broad work to cut lag and battery use Blocking reliability • Optimised Time Limits to be more reliable • Saving a Rule no longer fails for small time periods • Fixed a rare case where, just after you reached a time limit, you could briefly see the "recovery" screen instead of the normal block screen • Starting a timer while an emergency pass is active now explains what will happen Fixes and polish • Improvements to home insight cards (more on the way!) • Fixed an issue that could cause the gemstone to go missing on the Live Activity • Fixed the editing sheet getting partly hidden while renaming a Session What's next, in priority order • A stunning home screen — a better score (including screen time), gems, and recommendations • Keep hardening background blocking so every Rule applies on time, every time, without opening Opal • Making time limits clearer when you reach one, so the unblock option is never misleading • Clearer setup so it's obvious what Opal does, what a Rule is, and how unblocking works After this, we're excited to build much more — Family and School modes, Autofocus for intelligent, timely recommendations and interventions, more incredible timers, and more. We read everything you send us, and it shaped this list directly. Thank you. ### 4.8 — 2026-07-29 4.8 is all about speed. Opal should open instantly, scroll smoothly, and stay out of your way — so this release went wide on performance, from cold launch to the Home and Stats screens, alongside more reliability and polish across the app. New in 4.8 Speed and performance • An across-the-board speed pass: faster cold launch, smoother Home and Stats scrolling, and broad work to cut lag and battery use Blocking reliability • Optimised Time Limits to be more reliable • Saving a Rule no longer fails for small time periods • Fixed a rare case where, just after you reached a time limit, you could briefly see the "recovery" screen instead of the normal block screen • Starting a timer while an emergency pass is active now explains what will happen Fixes and polish • Improvements to home insight cards (more on the way!) • Fixed an issue that could cause the gemstone to go missing on the Live Activity • Fixed the editing sheet getting partly hidden while renaming a Session New in 4.7 • More reliable background blocking — re-blocks after an unblock, scheduled Rule starts and stops, and time-limit blocks all happen without opening Opal • Fixed a rare case where an already-expired time limit could lock you out again after midnight • "Unblock All" from the Rule card now works during a block-all-except session, and no longer lifts an app held by a reached limit • The unblock Live Activity now has a "Block Again" button • The heads-up notification for time limits is back • Sessions and timers can now run for multiple days, up to 14 days • Fixed a bug where the waiting room could get stuck at 0 • Screen time reports no longer include Family Sharing members' usage What's next, in priority order • A stunning home screen — a better score (including screen time), gems, and recommendations • Keep hardening background blocking so every Rule applies on time, every time, without opening Opal • Making time limits clearer when you reach one, so the unblock option is never misleading • Clearer setup so it's obvious what Opal does, what a Rule is, and how unblocking works After this, we're excited to build much more — Family and School modes, Autofocus for intelligent, timely recommendations and interventions, more incredible timers, and more. We read everything you send us, and it shaped this list directly. Thank you. ## Apps similar to Opal | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [ScreenZen- Screen Time Control](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222) | 4.9 (46,311) | Free | Productivity | | [Freedom: Screen Time Control](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228) | 4.4 (5,715) | Free | Productivity | | [one sec \| screen time + focus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-sec-screen-time-plus-focus/id1532875441) | 4.8 (23,378) | Free | Productivity | | [Focus Keeper - Pomodoro Timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-keeper-pomodoro-timer/id867374917) | 4.8 (31,537) | Free | Productivity | | [Jomo - Screen Time Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jomo-screen-time-blocker/id1609960918) | 4.8 (2,339) | Free | Productivity | | [Lock Screen 26 - Top Widgets](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lock-screen-26-top-widgets/id1641143233) | 4.5 (7,781) | Free | Productivity | ## Related topics [lock phone](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lock-phone) · [phone lock studying](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/phone-lock-studying) · [focus blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/focus-blocker) · [screen time](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/screen-time) · [phone blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/phone-blocker) · [opal](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/opal) · [oval](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/oval) · [screen time control](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/screen-time-control) · [distraction blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/distraction-blocker) · [social media timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/social-media-timer) · [time limit](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/time-limit) · [app limit bypass](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/app-limit-bypass) · [screen time blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/screen-time-blocker) · [social media blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/social-media-blocker) · [app time limit](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/app-time-limit) · [phone time limit](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/phone-time-limit) · [screen time lock](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/screen-time-lock) · [phone locker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/phone-locker) · [app lock timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/app-lock-timer) · [lock phone app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lock-phone-app) --- *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.*