# StayFree - Block Apps & Sites — user reviews > 87 indexed App Store user reviews of StayFree by Sensor Tower, Inc., rated 2.40/5 from 110 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stayfree-block-apps-and-sites/id1631132311/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stayfree-block-apps-and-sites/id1631132311.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 22 · 4★ 7 · 3★ 16 · 2★ 15 · 1★ 50 ## What do users think of StayFree? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 💻 Works excellently on desktop and web versions - 🎯 Effective screen time management when functioning properly - 🆓 Free application with useful features - 🌐 Website blocking feature works reliably - 📱 Chrome extension highly praised by users - 🎨 Clean and intuitive user interface design - 🔧 Comprehensive feature set on Android version **Cons** - 🐛 Critical bug preventing app selection from saving - ❌ In-app blocking unavailable on iOS - 📉 Significantly fewer features on iOS vs Android - 🔄 Usage limits not resetting daily as expected - 💾 Cannot edit limits once created - 🚫 Difficult to override or temporarily disable limits - ⚠️ App crashes frequently during setup - 🔐 Limited granular blocking options on iOS - 📊 Cross-device usage data not syncing properly - ⏰ Focus mode time range restrictions not working - 🔍 App selection screen becomes black/unresponsive - 🎯 Selective feature blocking (reels, shorts) iOS-exclusive - 🔧 No settings menu accessible on iOS **Commonly reported bugs** - App selection screen closes without saving when 'Done' is pressed - Cannot add apps to usage limits or focus modes - Usage limits not persisting after creation - App crashes when attempting to add new restrictions - Focus mode not activating properly - Time range restrictions not working (e.g., 11pm-7am) - App crashes during app search functionality - Safari enablement prompt repeats despite confirmation - Blocks not resetting daily, requiring manual recreation - Usage data not displaying on other devices - Website blocking not consistently enforcing limits - Black screen on Apps tab - App closing unexpectedly during limit setup - Glitches after recent updates affecting previously working features **Most requested features** - In-app blocking for iOS (block reels, shorts, comments separately) - PIN code protection to prevent cheating - Ability to edit usage limits after creation - Easier temporary override mechanism for limits - iPad horizontal/landscape mode support - Cross-device usage data visibility with app-level details - Date range usage statistics view - Limits on the go feature for iOS - Stronger obstacles to prevent limit deletion - Alternative app redirect when limit reached - Breathing exercise or wellness feature integration - Dark mode option - Multiple restriction zones support - Correct device identification for iPad ## Newest reviews (15 of 87) ### 3/5 — Wish it was on ios *2026-06-09, version 3.5* Good app but the features i want are only available on android and i wish i could block specific things in apps not the whole app especially on snapchat ### 2/5 — Love the extension, hate the app *2026-06-09* Honestly, this app just doesn’t work. I set limits for my phone but for whatever reason StayFree doesn’t catch them. It is tracking my screen time, but it isn’t clear at all why it’s not actually blocking the websites and apps I’ve set. Also, I really wish there was an easy option to select the apps/websites you spend the most time on and set limits. I’m sure I’m doing something wrong, but 1) it’s SO hard to figure out (I’m in my twenties, it’s not like I’ve never used a phone before) and 2) there’s no easy-to-find help to making this app actually work. Giving it two stars because the chrome extension is great. But please, please, fix this app. ### 3/5 — Reels *2026-06-04, version 3.4* How do you do the feature where you block instagram reels but not chats ### 3/5 — Insta Reels on Iphone *2026-04-21, version 3.4* Pls make a feature to block insta reels or shorts on iphone ### 3/5 — Pretty good *2026-01-16* I rated this 3 because yeah it works but there is a new update and now sometimes it doesn’t reset everyday so I have to create a whole new limit every day for all my apps but otherwise works well ### 3/5 — Love the chrome extension *2026-01-14* I absolutely adore the chrome extension it's one of the only things that's helped me get off my computer, so I decided to download it for my phone too! But I think it would work incredibly if it had as many obstacles as the chrome extension did and it was harder to delete the limits you set for yourself and I'd love to see it develop more ### 1/5 — Very different from the android version *2025-11-04, version 3.2* I got this app to block YouTube shorts (and only the shorts) after trying the app on my phone, which is an android. On my phone, it was easy to block just one part of an app, however it is impossible to do so on iOS, much to my disappointment. ### 2/5 — No in-app blocking *2025-10-03, version 3.2* Unlike the Android version, this version doesn’t have in-app blocking features ### 1/5 — way better options out there *2025-09-23* i got the app becuase a friend said it would block reels from insta and not anything else but when i download the app i come to find out that’s only for non ios phones 😐. i dislike how the only way to override the screentime limit is to go to the app and delete it. I had instagram blocked but sometimes needed it for my dms, and i know other apps have strenuous-but available-ways to unblock for a bit. lastly the focus mode was my last shot but one, it wouldn’t let me do nighttime to morning (like 11pm - 7am) to prevent me from watching at night in bed. this just didn’t even work, it didn’t let me. second for focus mode, IT DIDNT ACTIVATE. this app is kinda bad and i’m sorry for saying it so rudely, i hope my input is something the developers can use to grow the app and make it useable, but for now, i say find an alternative like Opal **Developer response:** Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re really sorry for the frustration this caused. We understand that some features work differently on iOS compared to other platforms and that can be disappointing, especially if you were expecting the same experience. We’re actively working on improving the app, including focus mode and overall usability, and your feedback really helps us prioritize these improvements. We appreciate you taking the time to share this and hope you might give the app another try in the future. ### 3/5 — In app blocking not available for my iPhone ehich is the part i wanted *2025-08-27, version 3.2* . ### 1/5 — Glitch/Bug and no way to report it *2025-08-20* I’m running into the same glitch that other people are in the app usage limit screen- when you hit plus to add an app and then hit done, it closes everything and doesn’t allow you to add the app limit. So what it it for, then? ### 1/5 — Confusing to use *2025-08-19, version 3.2* There is nothing quick and easy about this app. Setting the time is complicated. Even enabling safari is a struggle. I already click yes to enable and it still keeps asking me to enable safari. ### 1/5 — Of wont work *2025-08-08, version 3.2* It doesn’t even let me put a time limit ### 1/5 — can't block any app *2025-08-05, version 3.2* i was so happy to hear about this app but there's a glitch and it doesn't work. i'm not the only one commenting about it, please can someone fix the issue? i can block any website but when you try it with apps it comes back to main page without saving anything ### 2/5 — Not working *2025-07-26, version 3.2* I really wished this worked as it’s great on my work Windows 11 machine. Unfortunately after installing & enabling extensions regular webpages won’t load. Also wondering if the app is just spying as it can read & change the pages visit. Sounds fishy. I wish Apple had a built in option to make certain pages go greyscale so you wouldn’t be on them for so long ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Easy to bypass *2026-07-10, version 3.9* It is just so easy to bypass. Use opal or clearspace.. ### 1/5 — Terrible app *2026-06-28, version 3.8* Ts app is so cheeks I can’t pair and see my screen time at all everytime it says something went wrong this app is so poorly designed ### 1/5 — DO NOT USE FOR IOS *2026-05-29, version 3.4* This app works great for my friends that have android phones so I tried it. Don’t bother. Almost none of the functionality is implemented on iPhone. I was really looking forward to being able to block things like reels or shorts without totally blocking Facebook and YouTube. Does not exist here. There isn’t even a delete button for focus mode (their name for a scheduled blocking plan). You literally have to delete the app and all related data and reinstall if you want to delete a blocking plan. Absolute clown app. Super disappointed because I really need an app like this and haven’t found one even close to what stayfree can do on android. ### 1/5 — Problem with IOS version *2026-04-25, version 3.4* No offence to the developers, but this app on IOS is total garbage, but on other hand, it's like 10 times better on android. You should program in the function where you need to type a long text to change the restriction, like there is on android ### 1/5 — version *2026-04-02, version 3.3* what version is it ### 1/5 — Not working on IOS *2026-03-25, version 3.3* App looks great and my girlfriend loves it, but it does not let you complete the creation of usage limits. When attempting to select apps for the rule, upon pressing "done", the app re-routes back to the main screen without saving anything you've entered. ### 1/5 — Not for iPhone *2026-03-09, version 3.3* I absolutely loved this app on my Samsung and recommended it to everyone, but now I have an iPhone and it is completely different 😭 ### 1/5 — Few opportunities for ios users *2026-02-07, version 3.2* When I installed it with my Android it allowed to block reels, comments separately but with ios this function is not available ### 1/5 — This is my review for the IOS app *2026-01-26, version 3.2* The App version honestly suck when you compare it to its desktop and website counterparts. To Keep it short, you cannot edit you limits once they are made, you cannot easily see usage from other devices on the app, the apps usage doesn’t show up on other devices either and if does it doesn’t shows the times for each app, rather just showing the total screen time. The list just goes on and on, I recommend ScreenZen as the main for Mobile this app as a secondary just so that you can have the opportunity to see your screen time on your other devices (even if it doesn’t show the times for different apps and website) and StayFree (this app) for desktop and Website. I have more recommendations to make the app better but the devs need to work on the foundation first which is catching up to the website and desktop version as well as checking out their competitors. ### 1/5 — Uninstalled *2025-12-11, version 3.2* Can’t block apps anymore. Had to let it go ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Rubbish in iPhone *2026-06-07, version 3.4* Why these app is working perfectly great on android and on apple you can’t do any think. ### 5/5 — Chill out yall *2026-05-21, version 3.4* People are too harsh on the devs, this app does what I need it to do. Yall are great ### 5/5 — Yo *2026-05-18, version 3.4* Ts app so good tbh I love it can we work on blocking like my little pony app ### 5/5 — Needs fixing *2025-05-29, version 3.2* Amazing idea but the app doesn’t work for me, I try to click which apps I want to block and it won’t allow me to hit save and takes me back to the home menu once I click done. Please fix this! I need this app. Regardless 5 stars since I think it’s a game changer and such a great app just needs to be patched. ### 5/5 — Simply just the best. *2025-04-12, version 3.2* I spent so much time trying to find a good time limiting app so find this in my computer from the App Store, so I wanted to know if I could get this in my phone and I’m so glad I looked because this does everything you need and want, time limit and everything for FREE bro. Try it out and you can even make sure you can’t break the tome limit. There are so many options bro ### 5/5 — Limit on the go on IOS? *2025-01-01* Hi, I’ve been using the app throughout 2024 and absolutely loved it; however I had the Samsung version and recently moved to IOS. I’m redoing it but I don’t know where the limits on the go feature is? I think it’s super helpful and would like to where it is. Thank you. ### 5/5 — Extremely useful *2024-05-01, version 3.1* This app does everything you need a time limiter to do. ### 5/5 — 很好用但是功能不够完善 *2023-12-04, version 3.0* ios端和pc端都不支持查看一段日期内的使用时间，只能看某一天的，并且ios端的数据还无法在其他设备查看 ### 4/5 — The app is awesome, but it looks not so good on iPhone. *2026-05-23, version 3.4* The iPhone app looks really bad, just awful. It looks better on Android and PC. Otherwise, it displays everything except the desktop version, where I don't see any time management apps. ### 4/5 — This is a title *2025-07-30, version 3.2* This is a good app that can help me manage my device usage time on all devices. But it still has a small problem. It will identify my iPad as "Apple Apple iPhone", and I hope to correct this small mistake. I also hope that this app can be displayed horizontally on the iPad, just like the Android version. In addition, the app usage restrictions are completely unavailable. --- *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 2026-08-12.*