Great tool for phone addiction
I recently started graduate school after a long period of a work sabbatical & in that time a lot of bad habits around my phone usage got their hooks in me. Because I wasn’t working, I emailed the developers to see if I could use the Pro version for free and they got back to me right away and granted that to me. It was very nice! :)
This app has been extremely helpful for understanding just how much time I spend on my phone scrolling social media, and being able to create better habits from that info. Thanks to the app, I was able to start locking myself out of all social apps until the early afternoon, then changed it to 5 pm, and now have taken them off my phone entirely while still locking myself out of the web versions….all within six months of having this tool. That wouldn’t have been possible without this app. It’s been very helpful for keeping me on track with school.
The functionality of it is great, it’s easy to navigate, & given me a clear picture of what’s needed to change. I appreciate that you can easily choose which apps to include or take off of your usage report, as I don’t really need to know how much time I spend on search engines or maps since those are tools and not distractions for me.
Overall, this app is a great tool for anyone wanting to make positive changes around their phone usage so they can start living life!
This app has been extremely helpful for understanding just how much time I spend on my phone scrolling social media, and being able to create better habits from that info. Thanks to the app, I was able to start locking myself out of all social apps until the early afternoon, then changed it to 5 pm, and now have taken them off my phone entirely while still locking myself out of the web versions….all within six months of having this tool. That wouldn’t have been possible without this app. It’s been very helpful for keeping me on track with school.
The functionality of it is great, it’s easy to navigate, & given me a clear picture of what’s needed to change. I appreciate that you can easily choose which apps to include or take off of your usage report, as I don’t really need to know how much time I spend on search engines or maps since those are tools and not distractions for me.
Overall, this app is a great tool for anyone wanting to make positive changes around their phone usage so they can start living life!
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Response from developer
Thank you for sharing this - going from locking social apps until the afternoon to removing them entirely in six months is a real transformation, and that's all you. It's wonderful to hear it's helped you stay on track with graduate school during such a big transition. Wishing you continued momentum with school and with the habits you've built.
Horrible app set up screen time password without telling you
I download the app expecting it to be free. It’s not it’s cost money. And randomly set up a Screen Time password, which I didn’t know which sent me a long time trying to figure it out.
COSTLY!!
this app was awesome and helps me so much during the free trial, if it had more free aspects i’d definitely use it!!
Helped when I needed it
Had the app for about a year. It was a great to me at a time that I needed it.
Can't delete from iPhone
After approving this app's access to my screentime, Deleting this app has been restricted because it needs a screentime passcode. This app requires a subscription, so why can't it disable screentime access? This app isn't free so don't approe access If you're not gnna pay
I love you
Roots, I love you so much. I would name my first born after you. As a phone addicted student, you’re the reason I’m not failing. I’ve tried everythinggg and it wasn’t until I found you that I was finally able to focus and study.
The fact that you can’t alter or delete a block until the time is up is just *chefs kiss*. It keeps me check. Every time I’m scrolling on insta and see “It’s time to take a break” it’s like a warm kiss on the forehead and a gentle nudge from roots telling me to go back to work. I’m finally starting to get my life back on track.
The fact that you can’t alter or delete a block until the time is up is just *chefs kiss*. It keeps me check. Every time I’m scrolling on insta and see “It’s time to take a break” it’s like a warm kiss on the forehead and a gentle nudge from roots telling me to go back to work. I’m finally starting to get my life back on track.
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Incredible but needs free version
During my free trial, it worked incredibly, but the target audience of people that want help with their screen time is largely going to be from 13-21, which most kids in that age can’t pay that subscription, and I understand that you need to make money off this, but maybe it needs a free version with just less options. Again, it worked incredibly for me but I just need a free version.
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Horrible app
Why would they make you pay for getting better habits
Super Effective
I started using this app to help fight my phone addiction back in August of 2025 and I must admit that it works well. I have a 340 day streak and haven’t felt the need to break it as if I need to adjust my screen time limits I can after a 12 hour cooldown. I often actually forget to adjust after initiating the cool down, signaling it probably wasn’t that important anyways. As a student, this is a great way to actually brick your phone for studying—would totally recommend to all students out there that need help disconnecting from their phone.
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Recommend
Great UX, even better developer. Cares about users
It helps
This app will reduce your screen time!! It helps me a lot
Helped decrease the doom scroll
I have been using this app for a little over a year and absolutely love it! I tend to go monk mode and it has helped with the impulsivity of just scrolling on my phone with no purpose. I have also discovered my mental health is better due to less time on social media and other apps. I’ve become more active and engaged face to face with my community.
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Changed my Life
I’ve never written a review for an app before - but this app warrants all the five stars I can give. I downloaded the app around a year and a half ago, and it has completely changed the way I interact with my phone and social media. Before Roots, I had a very difficult time resisting the addictive effect of scrolling through endless reels and posts. Especially as a student, I wanted to curb my social media use to invest more time in my studies. By setting three five minute limits for social media, I am still able to interact and respond to friends’ posts and engage in content I find interesting without falling down the rabbit hole of endless scrolling. I also find the ability to build a “streak” to gain “pauses” aka individual days without limits very encouraging and effective. In my experience, it is worth every penny.
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Response from developer
Thanks so much for sharing this, it truly means a lot to hear how Roots has helped reclaim your time for what matters most to you. Turning three five-minute limits into a sustainable, year-and-a-half habit while balancing studies is a real testament to your commitment. Wishing you continued success on your journey!
Great App
Simple and intuitive. Effective!
Nice
Really getting me off my phone
Best app I ever used I had 9 hours daily and they reduced me to 4.5 hours!
Omg you have to use this app it helps with self control anxiety and with different activity’s through your weeks on this app I loved it very much thank you roots for improving my life!
It just works
For the longest time, I thought restricting screen time was simply a matter of self discipline, but these platforms are specifically designed to trap your mind and waste away your life. If you’re constantly dealing with software engineered for you to lose, why not try something designed for you to win?
Of all the screen time apps I’ve tried, Roots is significantly the most effective and unpretentious at doing just that. For one, it doesn’t use flashy colors, animations, or haptics drawing attention to itself, which makes sense as that is exactly what an app like this should be reducing. It’s a simple interface yet extremely customizable in terms of blocking yet very uncomplicated to configure.
My favorite part is that it reminds me that I’m looking out for myself; gently yet firmly guiding me away from time drains. I have it set to block certain apps and websites in the morning and at night because the compulsion to scroll was ruining my sleep. I also like that I can select which apps don’t count towards screen time eg. maps when driving so I can actually see how much I’m diverting my life awareness into the screen. It gives you a score for each day and you can go back and see your progress.
There’s more that I love about this app but just download it and see for yourself. Thank you.
Of all the screen time apps I’ve tried, Roots is significantly the most effective and unpretentious at doing just that. For one, it doesn’t use flashy colors, animations, or haptics drawing attention to itself, which makes sense as that is exactly what an app like this should be reducing. It’s a simple interface yet extremely customizable in terms of blocking yet very uncomplicated to configure.
My favorite part is that it reminds me that I’m looking out for myself; gently yet firmly guiding me away from time drains. I have it set to block certain apps and websites in the morning and at night because the compulsion to scroll was ruining my sleep. I also like that I can select which apps don’t count towards screen time eg. maps when driving so I can actually see how much I’m diverting my life awareness into the screen. It gives you a score for each day and you can go back and see your progress.
There’s more that I love about this app but just download it and see for yourself. Thank you.
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Response from developer
What a beautiful review - thank you so much for taking the time to share this. Our team absolutely loved it! The line that touched us most was that Roots reminds you that you're looking out for yourself. That's exactly the relationship we hope to help people build with technology — one based on intention rather than compulsion. Thank you for trusting Roots to be part of your journey and for sharing your experience with others. It means a great deal to our small team.
Can’t log in and they still charged me
I signed up for a trail. Could not get logged in & several weeks later my credit card got billed $110.
How this will help me
I love how Apple allows an app that doesn’t help Apple be on their servers. This can be very useful thought due to my screen time
Good
Good sir
