# Sentence: Screen Time Control — Write to unlock. Focus & Block

> Handwritten sentence scanning to unlock blocked apps and manage screen time. (iPhone/iPad app by Daksh Kaushik.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sentence-screen-time-control/id6759405604 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Daksh Kaushik](https://appshunter.io/developer/1868343853)
- Category: Productivity, Health & Fitness
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 19 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-02-27
- Data updated: 2026-08-22
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sentence-screen-time-control/id6759405604/reviews.md

## What is Sentence?

Most screen time apps are easy to dismiss.
A tap. A passcode you set yourself.
An exception you grant in three seconds.

You already know this. You've tried them all.

Sentence works differently.

To unlock a blocked app, you write a sentence by hand — on paper — and scan it with your camera. Every time. No bypass. No exceptions.
No "ignore for today."

That moment of friction is the whole point.
Most of the time, it's enough to make you put the phone down.

HOW IT WORKS
1. Block any app or category — social media, streaming, games, news, anything.

2. Set your schedule — always on, a specific time window or a particular limit.

3. When you try to open a blocked app, you see a screen. Tap "Write Sentence." Sentence opens.

  4. Write the sentence on paper. Hold it up. Scan it. The block lifts — for that session.

  5. Tomorrow, you write it again.


THE RITUAL

Choose what you write each time you unlock:

· Enquiry — why are you reaching for your phone right now? Answer honestly.
· Affirmations — reinforce the person you're trying to become.
· Literature — Seneca. Thoreau. Orwell. One line that reframes the moment.
· Roasting — brutal honesty about what you're about to do with the next hour.
· Custom — write your own sentence. Your commitment, your words.

BLOCK ON YOUR TERMS

  · Block specific apps or entire categories
  · Time-based schedules — morning, night, all day, specific windows
  · Multiple block groups with different schedules and sentence types
  · Zen Mode — prevents deleting apps from your phone. Requires handwriting to disable.


  WHO SENTENCE IS FOR

  You've set screen time limits.
  You turned them off.

  You've tried grayscale mode.
  You adapted in a week.

  You've deleted the apps.
  You reinstalled them.

  You've tried willpower.
  It wasn't enough.

  Sentence isn't about willpower. It's about
  friction — a deliberate pause inserted between
  the impulse and the action. One sentence,
  written by hand, changes the calculus entirely.

  This is for people who are done with tricks
  that don't work.

Access to Sentence features requires a paid subscription. Options include Monthly and Annual (with free trial). Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings.

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

## Key features

- Handwritten sentence scanning for app unlock
- Block specific apps or categories
- Customizable time-based schedules
- Multiple block group configurations
- Zen Mode to prevent app deletion
- Choice of sentence prompts (enquiry, affirmation, literature, roasting, custom)

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| Weekly Premium | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Annual Premum | $9.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime Premium | $34.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sentence-screen-time-control/id6759405604/reviews.md

### 5/5 — The idea behind Sentence is brilliant.

*2026-06-24*

Having to write and scan a sentence before unlocking blocked apps creates just enough friction to stop impulsive scrolling. I've noticed a real drop in my screen time since using it. Simple concept, well executed.

### 3/5 — Apps still stay unlocked after the timer ends

*2026-06-22*

As the title says,even after the timer ends, the apps stay unlocked until I manually go open the sentences app. Only after this, the apps are locked again

**Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback! This has been fixed in the latest update. You'll now receive a notification when your timer ends, just tap it, and your selected apps will be locked again.

### 2/5 — Not all apps are getting locked?

*2026-06-14*

App seem really cool and love the concept 
I tried to lock some apps 
Especially WhatsApp and Instagram and some others 
Only some are getting locked and rest aren’t, not sure if this is a bug please look into the same

**Developer response:** Thank you for the detailed feedback, it helps us identify the issue. A few steps to try: first, check your lock schedule in Sentence to ensure it covers the current day and time, as an inactive schedule will prevent any selected apps from locking. Next, remove WhatsApp and Instagram from your locked apps list, re-add them through the app picker, and restart your phone, as iOS occasionally requires this to refresh Screen Time permissions correctly. If the issue persists, please contact us at app.sentence1@gmail.com and we will be glad to assist further.

### 5/5 — Simple way to enforce a good habit

*2026-06-08*

I haven’t been a daily journaler for a long time. I like how Sentence is making it easy to rebuild the habit. Now no X for me until I write in my journal!

**Developer response:** Thank you for the review! Thrilled to have Sentence playing a small part in helping you rebuild your daily routine.

### 5/5 — Saviour!

*2026-03-06*

Reclaimed hours from my life

## Frequently asked questions about Sentence

### How does Sentence work to control screen time?

Sentence requires you to handwrite a sentence on paper and scan it with your camera each time you want to access a blocked app. This deliberate friction is designed to interrupt impulsive usage and encourage mindful engagement with your device.

### What types of sentences can I write in Sentence?

You can choose from prompts like 'Enquiry' (asking why you're reaching for your phone), 'Affirmations' (reinforcing desired personal growth), 'Literature' (using quotes from authors), 'Roasting' (brutal honesty about your intentions), or create your own custom sentence.

### Can I block specific apps or entire categories with Sentence?

Yes, Sentence allows you to block individual applications or entire categories of apps, such as social media, streaming services, or games, based on your preferences.

### Does Sentence offer different subscription plans?

Sentence offers various subscription plans including Weekly Premium ($0.99/P7D), Monthly Premium ($4.99/P1M), and Annual Premium ($9.99/P1Y or $19.99/P1Y). An Annual Premium plan includes a 7-day free trial.

### Is Sentence available on all devices?

Based on the provided data, Sentence is currently supported on iPhone devices.

### How often is Sentence updated?

The latest version of Sentence is 1.8, and it was last updated on July 5, 2026. This indicates a relatively recent update cycle.

### What is 'Zen Mode' in Sentence?

Zen Mode in Sentence prevents you from deleting apps from your phone. To disable Zen Mode, you are required to use the handwriting unlock feature, adding an extra layer of commitment to your focus.

### How do I cancel my Sentence subscription?

You can manage or cancel your Sentence subscription at any time through your Apple ID settings. Subscription management is handled directly within your device's account settings.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.9 — 2026-07-13

Bug Fixes

### 1.8 — 2026-07-05

Bug Fix: Apps autolock fix

### 1.7 — 2026-06-11

Bug Fix : Apps autolock when unlock timer ends
Update : New Sentence Library

### 1.6 — 2026-06-04

Performance Improvements.
Improved User Experience.

### 1.5 — 2026-04-22

Performance Improvements

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## More apps by Daksh Kaushik

- [MotionRead: Speed Reading](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/motionread-speed-reading/id6757697730)

All apps by Daksh Kaushik: https://appshunter.io/developer/1868343853

## Related topics

[time writing](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/time-writing)

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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.*