# ScreenBuddy: App Blocker — Friction Reduces Screen Time

> App blocker with friction to reduce screen time and phone addiction. (iPhone/iPad app by John Gaffney.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenbuddy-app-blocker/id6748612438 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [John Gaffney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1826566834)
- Category: Productivity, Health & Fitness
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 6 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 25 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-12-09
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenbuddy-app-blocker/id6748612438/reviews.md

## What is ScreenBuddy?

ScreenBuddy uses friction to cut your screen time in half. Pick the apps that distract you most, and ScreenBuddy makes you wait 25 seconds before you can open them. Set a daily usage limit, and when it's gone, it's gone.

HOW IT WORKS:
- Select apps you want to limit. They are blocked 24/7
- Pause before you scroll. Wait before each unlock to break unconscious phone use 
- Personalized limits. Set a daily screen time limit you can commit to. Use it all at once or spread it out. Once it's gone, it's gone.

WHY IT WORKS:
Most app blockers are easy to bypass. You hit a limit, tap "ignore," and keep scrolling. ScreenBuddy works differently. Your apps are locked from the start, and the 25-second pause gives you time to reconsider before you open them. Over time, the phone habit fades because you keep interrupting it.

ScreenBuddy helps you stop phone addiction without a full digital detox or dopamine detox. Just enough friction to stop doomscrolling and start living phone free.

PERFECT FOR:
- People who pick up their phone and don't remember why
- Anyone trying to cut back on social media and brain rot content
- Professionals who need distraction-free focus during work hours
- Students struggling to stay on task
- Parents who want to model better phone habits

SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS:
ScreenBuddy requires a premium subscription for full functionality. Choose monthly ($3.99), annual ($39.99 - 2 months free), or lifetime ($99.99) billing through your Apple ID. Your subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage your subscription anytime in your Apple ID account settings.

PRIVACY: https://www.screenbuddyapp.com/privacy-policy
TERMS: https://www.screenbuddyapp.com/terms-of-service

## Key features

- Block selected apps 24/7
- Pause before unlocking apps
- Personalized daily screen time limits
- Breaks unconscious phone use habits
- Reduces digital addiction
- Focus enhancement for work and study

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ScreenBuddy Pro Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| ScreenBuddy Pro Monthly | $3.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ScreenBuddy Pro Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (6 of 6)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenbuddy-app-blocker/id6748612438/reviews.md

### 5/5 — This app is awesome!!

*2026-04-04*

I downloaded ScreenBuddy to help mindless scrolling and hold myself accountable to lowering screen time. I’ve added more of my apps to the restriction the longer I’ve had this to help spend more time away from my phone. It’s been an amazing addition and has helped me reduce over an hour and a half per day of screen time since downloading!

### 5/5 — Needed this app years ago!

*2026-02-22*

This app has been so helpful. My doom scrolling has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY and I’m finding I have so much free time to focus on hobbies I actually enjoy! Wish I had found it sooner

### 5/5 — Life changing!

*2026-02-19*

Although I downloaded the app to help minimize my screen time on social apps, it also was great to use while on vacation! I was able to add all my work-related apps while I was on vacation so I could fully unplug and be present. Easy to edit & adjust based on what I didn’t want as a distraction each week!

### 5/5 — Helping so much!

*2026-01-06*

My screen time is horrible and something I’ve wanted to change for a long time. It has been 8-9 hours a day on average for over a year. Even with hobbies, I still revert back to my phone constantly. This app has finally helped me avoid doing that and my screen time has already reduced drastically.

### 5/5 — Great app!

*2025-12-17*

Love this app! It saves me hours each day that I used to spend mindlessly scrolling.

### 5/5 — Changed My Life

*2025-12-12*

Since downloading my screen time has plummeted. I’m spending less time doom scrolling and feel amazing because of it

## Frequently asked questions about ScreenBuddy

### How does ScreenBuddy help reduce screen time?

ScreenBuddy works by blocking selected apps and introducing a 25-second pause before each unlock. This friction is designed to break unconscious phone usage habits and has been shown to reduce screen time by 55%.

### What are the subscription options for ScreenBuddy?

ScreenBuddy offers monthly ($3.99), annual ($39.99), and lifetime ($99.99) subscription plans. The annual plan provides a discount equivalent to two months free.

### Can I cancel my ScreenBuddy subscription?

Yes, your ScreenBuddy subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. You can manage your subscription in your Apple ID account settings.

### Does ScreenBuddy have ads?

No, ScreenBuddy is ad-free. The app requires a premium subscription for full functionality.

### What devices does ScreenBuddy support?

ScreenBuddy is currently supported on iPhone devices.

### How often is ScreenBuddy updated?

The latest version of ScreenBuddy is 2.1.1, and it was last updated on March 5, 2026. Updates typically occur regularly to improve functionality and reliability.

### What is the age rating for ScreenBuddy?

ScreenBuddy has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

### What do users like most about ScreenBuddy?

Users appreciate ScreenBuddy's effectiveness in breaking phone habits and reducing screen time through its unique friction-based approach. The app is praised for helping users regain focus and live more phone-free lives.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1.9 — 2026-07-24

Improved onboarding

### 2.1.8 — 2026-07-02

Behind the scenes cleanup and performance fixes

### 2.1.7 — 2026-06-28

Minor backend improvements

### 2.1.6 — 2026-06-26

The restricted screens feature a clean new ScreenBuddy look. And when your apps are unlocked, your time remaining now shows on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, so you always know how long you have left.

### 2.1.5 — 2026-06-03

Onboarding refinement

## Apps similar to ScreenBuddy

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Blocus: Earn Screen Time](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blocus-earn-screen-time/id6758338291) | 4.6 (225) | Free | Productivity |
| [PushUp Time: App Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pushup-time-app-blocker/id6749405784) | 4.7 (11,546) | Free | Productivity |
| [Rewired: Screen Time Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rewired-screen-time-blocker/id6757408525) | 4.8 (1,349) | Free | Productivity |
| [Screen Time Control, Block App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-block-app/id6740850595) | 4.5 (15) | Free | Productivity |
| [Roots: Screen Time Control](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962) | 4.8 (2,497) | Free | Productivity |
| [Friction - Reduce Screen Time](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/friction-reduce-screen-time/id6758893858) | 4.6 (318) | Free | Productivity |

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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 2026-09-01.*