# Pause: Doomscroll Blocker — Cut Screen Time & Refocus

> Reduces screen time by requiring a puzzle before opening selected apps. (iPhone/iPad app by Carlos Velasquez.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pause-doomscroll-blocker/id6781665628 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Carlos Velasquez](https://appshunter.io/developer/1814581124)
- Category: Productivity, Health & Fitness
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 9 MB
- Released: 2026-06-29
- Data updated: 2026-09-05
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pause-doomscroll-blocker/id6781665628/reviews.md

## What is Pause?

Pause helps you scroll on purpose. Lowers your screen time.

We all reach for the same apps on autopilot. Pause puts a small, calming puzzle between you and those apps, so opening one becomes a choice, not a reflex.

HOW IT WORKS
• Choose the apps you want to pause.
• When you try to open one, Pause asks you to solve a quick puzzle first.
• Solve it, and the app unlocks for 15 minutes of intentional use.
• When time's up, the pause comes back automatically.

That tiny moment of friction is enough to break the autopilot—and remind you why you picked up your phone in the first place.

NINE CALMING PUZZLES
Word Jumble, Mini Crossword, Sliding Tile, Ball Sort, Connect the Colors, Maze, Sixdoku, and more. Every unlock is a small mental reset instead of a mindless tap.

DESIGNED FOR INTENTION, NOT RESTRICTION
Pause isn't about locking yourself out—it's about adding just enough space to choose. No guilt, no lectures. Just a gentle pause.

PAUSE PREMIUM
• Unlock all nine puzzles
• Remove ads
• Start with a 7-day free trial, then annual or monthly

Your privacy comes first. Pause uses Apple's Screen Time technology, and the apps you choose never leave your device.

Scroll less by accident. Scroll more on purpose.


—
SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS
Pause Premium is an auto-renewing subscription. (7-day free trial for new subscribers)
• Annual — $74.99/year 
• Monthly — $9.99/month
Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you start a subscription.

Privacy Policy URL: 
Terms of Use URL: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Puzzle before app access
- Reduces mindless scrolling
- Nine calming puzzle types
- Customizable app blocking
- Intentional use timer
- Premium ad-free option

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pause Premium (Annual) | $74.99 | per year |
| Pause Premium (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |


## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pause-doomscroll-blocker/id6781665628/reviews.md

### 5/5 — It really works! Screen time down by 30%

*2026-08-29*

HIGHLY RECOMMEND
I was hesitant to try it, but have been honestly surprised at how effective it has been at stopping doomscrolling. I’m not a huge fan of puzzles and for me that has become the barrier or boundary I needed go walk away, and with the recent customization features, like unpause timing, scheduling and reporting, I’m enjoying it even more!

### 5/5 — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*2026-08-24*

Pause has been a game changer for managing my screen time and social media habits. It creates just enough friction to make me stop and think before mindlessly opening an app, without feeling restrictive or annoying.

I’ve become much more intentional about when and why I use my phone, and I’ve definitely noticed myself spending less time endlessly scrolling. It’s simple, effective, and does exactly what it’s supposed to do.

If you’re trying to reduce screen time without completely giving up the apps you enjoy, I highly recommend Pause. One of those small apps that can genuinely make a big difference in your daily routine.

### 5/5 — Has really helped me stop using social media apps

*2026-08-05*

I had been using a similar app for 2 years but I’ve really enjoyed using it the past month. Solving a puzzle helps me calm my hyper brain. Will continue using!!!

### 5/5 — delivers what it promises

*2026-07-29*

if I go a period without it, for whatever reason, I miss the puzzles, the cognitive stimulation and the barriers it places b/n my fingers’ impulses and the doomscrolling apps! 10/10 recommend

### 5/5 — An awesome twist on Screen Control

*2026-07-18*

Pause has genuinely changed how I use my phone. Instead of just blocking apps outright, it makes you play a quick game before you can get into Instagram or TikTok — and that tiny bit of friction is enough to make you stop and ask ‘do I actually want to scroll right now?’ Half the time I just close my phone instead of bothering with the game. It’s such a smart, creative twist on the usual screen-time tools that just nag you with reminders. Highly recommend if you’re trying to be more intentional with your phone time

### 5/5 — Take control over mindlessly scrolling!

*2026-07-10*

I often found myself mindlessly scrolling on social media for hours. I’d even catch myself just going up the stairs and opening instagram — couldn’t even walk without scrolling.. I hated it! 
Pause has been the perfect barrier my brain needed to break that habit. The games are engaging and challenging enough to interrupt the autopilot scrolling and shift me from mindlessly consuming content to actively thinking and deciding whether I want to open an app. 
I’ve tried other apps to help with the social media scrolling habit, but this one is my favorite by far!

### 5/5 — It works

*2026-07-08*

I didn’t think it was going to work, cause “I can manage my time correctly, just need discipline”… but after giving it a try, it really surprised me. My screen time has significantly reduced but most importantly the urge to scroll and open social media apps has significantly reduced. Glad I gave it a shot!

## Frequently asked questions about Pause

### How does Pause help reduce screen time?

Pause places a quick puzzle between you and the apps you've chosen to pause. Solving this puzzle creates a moment of friction, breaking the autopilot reflex and encouraging more intentional app usage.

### What kind of puzzles does Pause offer?

Pause offers nine different calming puzzles, including Word Jumble, Mini Crossword, Sliding Tile, Ball Sort, Connect the Colors, Maze, and Sixdoku. These are designed to provide a small mental reset.

### Is Pause a restrictive app?

No, Pause is designed for intention, not restriction. It aims to add a small space for choice rather than locking you out of apps completely, promoting guilt-free usage.

### What are the benefits of Pause Premium?

Pause Premium unlocks all nine puzzles, removes advertisements, and offers a 7-day free trial before starting an annual or monthly subscription. This provides a more comprehensive and uninterrupted experience.

### How much does Pause Premium cost?

Pause Premium offers two subscription plans: $9.99 per month or $74.99 per year. Both plans include a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

### Can I cancel my Pause Premium subscription?

Yes, you can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your Apple Account settings. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.

### Does Pause have ads?

Yes, the free version of Pause contains advertisements. You can remove ads by subscribing to Pause Premium.

### What devices is Pause available on?

Pause is available on iPhone and iPad, indicated by its compatibility with Apple's Screen Time technology.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4.2 — 2026-09-01

Fixed a bug where some of your paused apps could silently become unpaused at random after relaunching Pause. Your full paused-apps list is now preserved across every launch, so the apps you chose stay paused until you say otherwise

### 1.4 — 2026-08-28

• Choose how long to unlock an app after solving its puzzle: 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes, your call.
• Set puzzle difficulty per app: give your most tempting apps a harder puzzle.
• New Free plan: try Pause with up to 3 apps, no credit card required.
• Smoother first-time setup, with clearer explanations before each permission request.

### 1.3 — 2026-08-06

Pause Schedules — set recurring free windows so your apps unlock automatically when you want them, and re-lock when time's up.
• Your stats & streaks — a new Dashboard card and stats page show your screen-time reductions and how many days you've kept it up.
• All-time History — weekly rollups so you can watch your progress over the long run.
• Real screen-time insights — see your actual on-device usage right inside Pause.
• Share your wins — turn your progress into a shareable image
• Other UI refinements on games

### 1.2 — 2026-07-08

• Refreshed dark mode — a deeper, more soothing background that's easy on the eyes, night or day.

• Clearer puzzle instructions — every puzzle now shows how to play at a glance.

• New Word Jumble — drag or tap the letter tiles right into place. No keyboard, just a more playful way to solve.

• More control at the pause screen — reset a puzzle for a fresh start, or swap to a different one if it's not your style.

• A more reliable unlock — solving a puzzle now always does exactly what it should.

• Better contrast, more variety in the puzzles you see, and polish throughout.

Thanks for pausing with us.

### 1.0 — 2026-06-29

No release notes.

## More apps by Carlos Velasquez

- [Mustard Seed Faith](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mustard-seed-faith/id6757195407)
- [Launch the Capy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/launch-the-capy/id6761528445)

All apps by Carlos Velasquez: https://appshunter.io/developer/1814581124

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*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 2026-09-05.*