# ScrollBuddy — Fix Screen Time with a buddy

> App to break addictive scrolling habits with scheduled limits and friction. (iPhone/iPad app by Aaron Vinod.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrollbuddy/id6749676786 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Aaron Vinod](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809840522)
- Category: Productivity, Health & Fitness
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 62 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-08-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-22
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrollbuddy/id6749676786/reviews.md

## What is ScrollBuddy?

Every app blocker has the same weakness: you hold the key to your own lock.
One stressful evening and the blocker is off, the feed is back, and the only
witness is you.

ScrollBuddy is different. Your buddy holds the key.

And all of it is free. No subscription, no paywall, no trial that turns into
a charge. Blocking your worst apps should not cost money.

Pick the apps that eat your time. Set a daily limit or a schedule. When the
time is up, the apps lock, and more time takes a real person saying yes: a
friend, a partner, someone who actually knows you.

HOW IT WORKS
- Choose your worst apps and set a daily limit or a weekday schedule
- When time runs out, the apps lock on your phone
- Want more time? Send your buddy a request with your reason, and attach a
  photo to show them what you did instead
- They approve or deny in one tap. That is the whole product: witnessed
  attention.

NO CHEATING
- Your buddy sees your daily totals and your streak
- If Screen Time gets switched off, your buddy sees that too, within minutes
- Safari is not a loophole: block websites alongside apps, and filter adult
  sites everywhere while a blocker is on

WHY A HUMAN WORKS
People with a buddy stick with their goals 52% of the time versus 33% going
it alone (our own users' data). Willpower is unreliable at 11pm. A witness is
not.

PRIVATE BY DESIGN
Your screen contents, messages, and browsing never leave your phone. Apple's
Screen Time framework counts your usage privately on the device. We only
store what the accountability needs: daily totals, requests, and the photos
you choose to attach (stripped of location data, deleted 30 days after the
request, gone forever if you delete your account).

Free. No subscription. Setup takes about 3 minutes, and pairing with your
buddy takes one code.

Take your attention back, with a witness.

Terms of Use: https://doomscrollr.vercel.app/terms
Privacy Policy: https://doomscrollr.vercel.app/privacy

## Key features

- Scheduled time windows for app usage
- Daily time budgets for apps
- Kind block screens when time is up
- Limit multiple social apps in one place
- Micro-escape timers for breaks
- Optional buddy accountability
- Smart nudges and warnings

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| Weekly Premium | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| ScrollBuddy Annual Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| ScrollBuddy Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Good buddy | $4.99 | one-time |
| Great buddy | $9.99 | one-time |
| Best buddy | $17.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $49.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrollbuddy/id6749676786/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Good app but some major bugs

*2026-02-03*

The concept could work but I cannot use it properly because of the bug: Stays blocked after end of schedule. I setup a 7am-5pm block. At 5pm, I expect it to get unblocked but it does not.
  Also, I should be able to choose days of the week when creating block schedules. I dont want all schedules to be every day of the week

**Developer response:** Hi there! 

I'm really sorry to hear that you were experiencing these kind of bugs. As a solo-developer, I am iterating fast with my early users but this can lead to some issues. 

I have released a new version which I hope has solved a lot of these previous issues! Thank you so much for testing the app and I would love to know if the new version has fixed a lot of the issues you were experiencing!

Sincerely,
Aaron founder of scrollbuddy

## Frequently asked questions about ScrollBuddy

### How does ScrollBuddy help with doomscrolling?

ScrollBuddy breaks the delete-reinstall cycle by adding friction. It allows you to set scheduled time windows or daily budgets for your apps, and a kind block screen appears when your time is up, preventing mindless scrolling.

### What apps can I limit with ScrollBuddy?

ScrollBuddy can limit popular social apps such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit, allowing you to manage your usage of multiple platforms in one central location.

### Does ScrollBuddy have ads?

No, ScrollBuddy is ad-free. The app is built on Apple Screen Time APIs and prioritizes user privacy, ensuring no ads or creepy tracking.

### What are the subscription options for ScrollBuddy Premium?

ScrollBuddy Premium offers monthly and annual subscription plans, with prices varying by region. There is also a free 7-day trial available for the yearly premium plan.

### How do I cancel my ScrollBuddy subscription?

Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime within ScrollBuddy Settings or through your device's Apple ID subscriptions.

### Is ScrollBuddy available on all Apple devices?

Yes, ScrollBuddy is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod, leveraging Apple's Screen Time APIs for its functionality.

### How often is ScrollBuddy updated?

The latest version of ScrollBuddy is 1.0.5, and it was last updated on February 19, 2026. This indicates regular updates to improve the app's functionality and reliability.

### What is the age rating for ScrollBuddy?

ScrollBuddy has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users looking to manage their digital habits.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.6 — 2026-07-13

Your asks just got more convincing: attach a photo to an unblock request so
your buddy sees why you need the time.

Also in this update:
- Redesigned blocker cards with bigger, clearer progress rings
- Your buddy now sees the moment Screen Time gets switched off
- Weekday schedules: lock apps only on the days you choose
- Website blocking that covers Safari, plus an adult-site filter
- Faster tab switching and a large batch of reliability fixes

### 1.0.5 — 2026-02-19

Create intention gate for an app → verify gate triggers on app open (Shortcuts automation)
 Start intention session → verify timer/usage tracking → verify session end + shield
 Grace period: pro user can set per-app grace (0-30s), free user sees locked UI
 Partner flow: request approval → partner approves/denies → notifications sent
 Streaks: daily stats recorded, streak count computed, streak-loss warning on delete
 Premium gates: free user hits 1 schedule/1 gate limit → Alert with upgrade option
 Schedule unblock modal: app icons display, keyboard avoids text field, button scrolls with content
 Intention gate modal: real app icon, keyboard avoidance, simplified layout
 Crash recovery: kill app during active session → reopen → session correctly restored or ended

### 1.0.4 — 2026-01-19

Major Ui and Ux revamp, onboarding revamp, schedule creation, partner addition, schedule management, timer showcasing revamp. A lot!

### 1.0.3 — 2026-01-10

A lot of UI and UX updates, schedules upgrades, removal of superwall integration better loading states, Hard Paywall for accessing main content(can be skipped via the test account provided), premium state management improved

### 1.0.2 — 2025-09-16

Freemium! Unlimited Schedules for new users. Partner requires premium but big Ui and Ux revamp!

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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 2026-08-22.*