# Padlock - Remove Distractions — user reviews > 30 indexed App Store user reviews of Padlock by Padlock Focus Technologies LTD. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/padlock-remove-distractions/id6475106602/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/padlock-remove-distractions/id6475106602.md ## Newest reviews (13 of 30) ### 5/5 — So far so good! *2025-03-27, version 1.8.1* Set it all up in less than 15mins . Everything is working as it should. High hopes that this will really help me stay focused when working from home. On days when I really need to focus or get a lot done, I will just ask my husband to take the padlock with him to work in the morning, so I’ll be distraction free all day. ### 5/5 — Life changing *2025-03-12, version 1.8.0* I had tried to use the pretty dire ScreenTime features in iOS before. Not only were they surprisingly cumbersome to setup, but they never truly worked. Other ‘helpful’ apps of a similar nature also didn’t tend to work due to the fact you could easily get around them in an awkward way. Padlock is much better designed generally, allowing me a clear way to either stop using the problem apps, or indulging if I put the effort to physically scan something in my house. The automation at times of day when I’m most addicted is really helpful, so I don’t feel the app is blindly slapping me in the face- it’s a clear, easy to organise choice now. And the new padlock categories feature is just sublime! Will stop me endlessly scrolling instagram while at the gym! ### 5/5 — Brilliant *2025-03-11, version 1.7.1* I'd been looking at a well known alternative for ages but could not justify the postage fees. This popped up a feed and I thought I'd give it a go. It's brilliant and the creator is really responsive in giving support. ### 5/5 — Great app! *2025-03-06, version 1.7.1* This ticks all the boxes and does what it says on the tin. Also great to not have any subscriptions. My only issue is the emergency unlocks I feel it should be easier than having to delete the app if you run out of the default 3 unlocks or loose your padlock. Maybe like 3 emergency unlocks a month just for those situations when you do need to unlock it but not so much that you get addicted etc again. ### 5/5 — Game Changing! *2025-03-06, version 1.7.1* Like many people I have screen time setting on my phone. But they are so easy to override, and my willpower is low. I wasn’t sure when I bought this device I was advertised on Instagram at 10pm last night if I was being scammed. As their Instagram page doesn’t have many posts and this doesn’t have many reviews but genuinely I’m so surprised. FIRSTLY it turned up this afternoon - not even 24 hours later?! Secondly I works just as it says on the tin! So I would say do it! It’s the British version of “Brick” but seems so far to be even better! ### 5/5 — Genius *2025-03-02, version 1.7.1* I have been sidetracked by phone so often and despite having blocker apps previously I have always circumnavigated them and ended up back in the same destructive habits. This product is brilliant, I have scheduled it to automatically block apps at bedtime or when I am working. The friction that the physical padlock to unlock means it is much more difficult to circumvent because I can keep it in another part of the house. It also means that I can keep the useful functionality of the phone without the sidetracking nonsense. Once separate grouping profiles are introduced to allow for simpler blocking of apps depending on what you need blocked then it will be even better ### 5/5 — It actually works *2025-02-23, version 1.7.1* Having tried and paid for app blocking apps and eventually developing the habit of circumventing them I finally decided to try this idea of having a physical device to block apps. The price point is good, and although the padlock could look nicer, it does the job. I keep it in my car so can unlock if I need to at home or work, but that is just enough friction for me not to mindlessly open social media. Perfect! It really works. The app is pretty basic but it looks like they will be adding new features like scheduling which would be handy. ### 5/5 — Brilliant app! *2025-02-19, version 1.7.1* I’ve been using the app for two days now and I’ve found it so useful - has made my phone so much less of a distraction. I messaged the developer about putting in a function to turn it on at a certain time every day and he implemented it within 24 hours - such great customer service! ### 5/5 — Brilliant app *2025-02-06, version 1.6.0* A genuine solution. After trying so many apps that just make it slightly harder to get distracted this actually works. It means I can tailor my phone to have the things that actually improve my life without all of the brain rot that leaves me drained. I was going to purchase a dumb phone but this is a much better solution. Thank you! ### 5/5 — 10/10 *2024-12-25, version 1.6.0* Received this for Christmas as I reaallllly struggle to stay off my phone at work due to a brain injury giving me ADHD tendencies, am astonished at how simple the set up and usage is. App downloaded and apps locked within 2 minutes. Hats off to the creator, had it been a long complicated installation process I may have got too distracted to finish. Really excited to see how much this helps! ### 5/5 — Great customer service and product *2024-12-19, version 1.6.0* I received the product very quickly after ordering. The app is easy to use and when I had some questions about functionality they were very quick to respond and super helpful. ### 5/5 — Excellent! *2024-11-28, version 1.6.0* The padlock may be the first product I’ve genuinely bought from a social media ad. I didn’t have the highest expectations but I’ve been blown away. I’m the second reviewer on here, so I assume the product is very new. Now, I’m entirely satisfied with the product, but I won’t talk about it too much as this is an App Store review. This app is very easy to use, it’s lightweight and optimised for IOS. It has a nice dark theme, and the way it is intelligently synchronised with the padlock product is a wonder. There is NO way of getting round this lock, unlike every single other app-blocking software out there. The app is minimalistic and also easy-to-use. You simply select the apps, press lock, and then put phone up to the padlock, and instantly they’re locked until you can scan again. It’s all rather genius and well-integrated, how the only way round is the emergency unlock, with a 10 hour cooldown. Love it! Assuming the developers don’t get greedy and integrate a subscription model, and that the app is well-maintained as iOS evolves.. then the company behind Padlock will thrive beyond imagination. There’s no doubt about it. Life-changing. So much less toxicity and nonsense feeding into my mind on social media apps. Thank you hugely. P.S One suggestion- allowing us to create ‘custom groups’ of apps, meaning we can select a specific list when needed, and at other times select a different list. Which could overlap also. Instead of having to manually select and unselect apps. Would be easy to integrate and very helpful. Hope this makes sense. ### 5/5 — Great app! *2024-05-19, version 1.2.0* The physical padlock makes it so much easier to stay focused and not revert to using the apps again when you’re bored. Leaving it at home or giving it to a friend to help with accountability works really well too! My screen time and ability to focus has improved so much since using this app :) ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 3/5 — Problems with latest IOS. *2025-11-18, version 2.0.3* Have had this app and scanner a while, and for the most part have enjoyed it for blocking out distractions and reducing some bad habits. However, with the latest version of IOS, activating the lock seems to cause a white out of multiple apps including photos and safari, requiring a restart. Once addressed I’m sure I’d go back to using it as found it very effective. ### 3/5 — Issue since update *2025-10-24, version 2.0.3* Issue since updating to ios 26 now need to close and reopen app sometimes multiple times to get it to scan. ### 3/5 — Great idea but can’t get individual apps to show *2025-08-20, version 2.0.1* Hi- I discovered your app and was really excited to use. Before I pay the £35 for the physical padlock I downloaded the app to try the usability. I can’t get the individual apps to show at all. It just shows the generic categories such as ‘social’ or ‘finance’. It also won’t allow me to search for individual apps. If this is fixed I will but definitely! Can you help please ### 3/5 — Disappointed it doesn’t work on iPad *2025-06-14, version 1.8.1* Despite the App Store saying otherwise, I am disappointed that the Padlock device doesn’t work on iPad, which renders it pretty much useless to me. The apps blocked on my iPhone require me to tap the Padlock to unlock them, but when I tried that on my iPad I was forced to use an ‘emergency unlock’ because tapping the device had no effect. Sadly, until it becomes compatible with iPad, I don’t have the physical barrier between me and all the apps that are messing with my productivity and my mental health. I was so excited that I had finally found the perfect solution. So close, but no. Not yet. ### 4/5 — Great app! – Could be even better! *2025-06-07, version 1.8.1* It’s a really great app and it’s amazing that there are no subscriptions! But I think it could be made a little bit better by changing the screen which pops up when you open a locked app. Perhaps it could include a motivational message or a picture of nature instead of just a big red symbol. ### 4/5 — Great, but could do with a few more features *2025-06-04, version 1.8.1* Would benefit from a schedule that automatically locks/unlocks apps. And daily time limits for individual apps before locking that specific app. Will give this 5* if these gets implemented! ### 4/5 — Effective but glitchy *2024-11-28, version 1.6.0* The app picker list can be a bit glitchy and doesn’t work as smoothly as other third party screen limiting apps I’ve tried e.g. sometimes individual selected apps don’t block, or apps that aren’t selected do block. You can get around this by blocking the whole app group. That said, having the physical padlock is incredibly effective for me, so even with the glitches it’s way better than any other app I’ve tried! ### 5/5 — This might change my life? + one wish for future versions *2025-08-17, version 2.0.1* I’ve only been using this for two days and the difference to my mood and productivity has been miraculous. I’m now focusing on doing things I love more, I’m better at listening to conversations with friends, I feel more creative… Social media addiction is a real thing and I think it’s stunted my personal growth by years. Excited for what the future holds. Let’s hope I can keep it up. However I do have ONE wish for this app. I wish it was possible to set time limits. For instance I have scheduled blocks for social media, within the time that there are open, I wish it was possible to limit how long I use them for. For instance after 30 minutes of Instagram it will lock it for the rest of the day. That’s my only note, everything seems to be perfect. ### 5/5 — Brilliant app *2025-08-09, version 2.0.1* Reduced my screen time significantly! Really impressed and super easy to use! Glad to support a UK company ver the very similar US one! ### 5/5 — Very encouraging to stop distractions *2025-07-15, version 2.0.0* The latest updates have really pushed the app to a higher level. It feels more encouraging to keep your apps blocked for longer. I'm very grateful. ## Most praised reviews (7 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great app, even better customer service! *2025-07-14, version 2.0.0* This app is exactly what I didn’t know I needed! Very simple to set up and use and I have no doubt it will have a positive impact on my life. Customer service is also superb, with very fast response times. I’m glad there’s no subscription, as I wouldn’t have purchased if there was, but great bit of kit, simple and effective. ### 5/5 — It works! *2025-06-29, version 1.8.1* The concept works very well - making the trip downstairs (to the Padlock) focuses the mind to the fact that I really don’t want to be doomscrolling. The implementation is good. I’ve yet to find a way around it, when the Padlock is enabled. Integration with Apple Shortcuts is good - I’ve got it to auto-Padlock at 7pm, and to do so when I hit the Action button on my phone - one-press padlocking. Well done to the dev - I hope the product really takes off. ### 5/5 — Great product, great people *2025-06-22, version 1.8.1* What an amazing product and app. I wanted to decrease my screen time and I bought a padlock and got the app. They’ve worked wonders, and I’m much better at not wasting time on my phone. This app alongside dumbify is what I’d recommend for everyone. The world needs more of this :) ### 5/5 — Productivity saviour *2025-05-12, version 1.8.1* This has done absolute wonders for my productivity. I’m revising for my final exams right now and I honestly wouldn’t have made it through without this. I use it every day and it works so well and it’s so incredibly simple. Would recommend 100% especially for those of you who sometimes need that extra push to lock in and get stuff done. ### 5/5 — Life changing *2025-04-21, version 1.8.1* Since using this app I’ve read two physical books, the house has never looked better, I’m having a cup of tea on a morning and observing nature and thinking for myself!My own thoughts and observation!! I am not locked into this matrix of the digital world! I’m using my intuition more now that I’ve stopped all the constant bombardment of influencer messages re diet and exercise ( I was totally overwhelmed). I feel like I’m actually living in the real world and not trapped in some false reality. My padlock is in my car and I’m too lazy to go and unlock it so it works well! The only drawback is the realisation on how much I need the internet for bills and school things but I just unlock every few days and sort that. We all need to wake up and realise that when we are on our deathbeds will we really be happy we spent years in our heads because of these phones with the craziness of constant external digital stimulation? Just because everyone is doing it, it doesn’t make it right and it doesn’t have to be this way. Try the app and see for yourself . ### 5/5 — Recommended *2025-04-18, version 1.8.1* Saw an ad on Instagram. Bought it- it works. I place the physical lock downstairs can’t open sleep distracting apps in the middle of the night. Excellent customer support. ### 5/5 — Genuine Life-saver *2025-04-02, version 1.8.1* I planned to lock away instagram occasionally to stop me procrastinating, but this app has helped me cut down on my phone usage by about 80-90%. It’s saved me hours, and I’ve realised how much time I was wasting. Ive genuinely started reading again, exercising more, and not wasting my life away doomscrolling. Any questions I’ve had, I’ve asked the developer too and they’ve been super communicative and helpful. 5 stars from me! --- *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 2026-06-10.*