# TimeBack: Focus App Blocker — Less Brainrot. Be Present.

> App blocker that gamifies focus with a virtual zen garden. (iPhone/iPad app by Sean Kuannery Media, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timeback-focus-app-blocker/id6550890951 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Sean Kuannery Media, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1757730721)
- Category: Productivity, Lifestyle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 29 App Store ratings · 24 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 280 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-02-15
- Data updated: 2026-09-17
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timeback-focus-app-blocker/id6550890951/reviews.md

## What is TimeBack?

Less brainrot. More living. A little garden to show for it. 

TimeBack is a focus app and app blocker that makes putting your phone down REWARDING. Block distracting apps, stop the brainrot, and be present for what matters. When you focus, you can earn rewards and grow your own zen garden!

Created by the former TikTok product team, TimeBack makes focus fun! We use proven behavioral psychology hacks to reverse-engineer the brainrot, so you will fall in love with being present instead! 

Meet Bud, your little virtual companion. He’s here to remind you to spend less time scrolling and more time doing your thing. Studying. Working. Having dinner without checking what everyone else is having for dinner. 

HOW TIMEBACK WORKS

Choose your distractions
Select the apps you want to take a break from.
Make a focus plan
Set aside time for work, study, winding down, or being with people you care about. TimeBack blocks your selected apps during your focus session, so you don't brainrot.
Earn something worth looking forward to
Complete your focus session to earn rewards for your garden. Grow plants, unlock surprise collections, and make your little space your own.

SCREEN TIME CONTROL WITH SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO

You already know you want to scroll less and stop the brainrot. 
TimeBack gives you a reason to follow through: a little progress, a little surprise, and a garden that grows with your effort.

• App Blocker — Block distracting apps when you want to focus.
• Focus Plans — Make room in your day for the things you keep putting off.
• Zen Garden — Turn completed sessions into rewards and a space you can build.
• Surprise Collections — Discover new things to unlock as you keep going.
• Zen Mode — Start a distraction-free moment when you need one.
• Screen Time Reports — See your screen time breakdown and follow your progress.

BE PRESENT, ONE SESSION AT A TIME

One quick check can turn into an hour of brainrot. Give yourself a break from the feed and make room for your own life.

Practice mindfulness while studying, working, or spending time with someone you love. Your phone can wait. Bud is excellent at waiting.

Start your first focus plan. Give your attention somewhere better to go.

BUILT WITH APPLE’S SCREEN TIME API

TimeBack uses Apple’s Screen Time API to block the apps you select.

TERMS & PRIVACY

Terms of Use: https://gettimeback.app/terms-of-use/
Privacy Policy: https://gettimeback.app/privacy-policy/

## Key features

- Block apps with focus plans
- Design a virtual zen garden
- Earn rewards for focus streaks
- Track daily focus progress
- Enter deep focus with Zen Mode
- Take timed breaks
- View screen time reports

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TimeBack Premium (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| TimeBack Premium (Yearly) | $59.99 | per year |


## What do users think of TimeBack?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Thoughtfully designed
- 👍 Helps save from bad habits
- 👍 Blend of technology and mindfulness
- 👍 Gamified experience for reducing screen time
- 👍 Nurtures a positive habit
- 👍 Effective at reducing screen time
- 👍 Helps track and reduce screen time
- 👍 Increases focus and productivity
- 👍 Cute and rewarding zen garden feature
- 👍 Consistent and effective at curbing phone addiction

## Recent user reviews (10 of 24)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timeback-focus-app-blocker/id6550890951/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Less Anxious

*2026-09-11*

Since I started to block social media with this app, I’ve noticed that I’m calmer and happier. I didn’t realize how much of an impact social media has on me mentally. It’s really hard not to compare with everybody’s on social media, and it made me feel bad about myself. And sometimes I can’t completely delete Instagram because that’s how I message my friends. It’s really a double edged sword but this app helps me dial back and pulls me out just before I spiral. Also, I love the zen garden. It’s super cute, and helps me feel calm.

### 5/5 — Actually works

*2026-09-02*

Ok this fixed the one habit I could not fix myself. I used to scroll till late night without even noticing. Now I easily get an extra hour a night. It’s easy and hard to cheat - love it!

### 5/5 — I got more free time to do fun things

*2026-08-12*

Genuinely very good and very functional. Got my screen time down about 2 to 3 hours a day or more some days. I have more time for my hobbies now

### 5/5 — Best Focus App with Gamification

*2026-08-12*

I wanted something that would help me study but also include gamification. This is the perfect remedy. This has made studying biology a bit more enjoyable.

### 5/5 — More quality time in the real world

*2026-08-06*

I cannot emphasize enough how helpful TimeBack has been to give me freedom to spend more time with my family and be present while I’m with them. Before I used this app I got notifications that I averaged 5 hours of screen time daily! I realized I was addicted to checking my work notifications and endless scrolling algorithms, and I knew I had to make a change. TimeBack was the best resource for me to block the apps I wanted at certain times, and gave me hours each day of quality productive time with my family and to myself. It’s been an amazing resource for me to create better habits and I will continue using it everyday!

### 5/5 — Awesome!

*2026-03-07, version 1.0.8*

This app gives me back so much time. I love it!!!!!

### 5/5 — This app helps me stay sane

*2025-07-22*

There are so many apps trying to get my attention. This one gives it back. The app is simple, elegant, effective, and feels like a sanctuary on my phone. Highly recommend.

### 5/5 — Exactly what our society needs

*2025-05-02*

Thoughtfully designed and will  help save you from your own worst habits. Well done, team!

### 5/5 — TimeBack’s Zen Garden is the perfect blend of technology and mindfulness

*2025-03-09*

In a world filled with endless distractions, Time Back offers a refreshing, creative approach to reclaim your time and break free from doomscrolling. The app combines focus plans with a unique zen garden feature that evolves as you spend less time on your phone. This gamified experience turns reducing screen time into a mindful and rewarding activity. As you disengage from distractions like social media, your virtual zen garden flourishes into a peaceful, calming space, making the process feel more like self-care rather than a restriction.

As someone who struggles with phone addiction and often finds themselves doomscrolling, Time Back has been a game changer for me. Instead of feeling guilty about how much time I spend on my phone, I’m nurturing something positive. For anyone wants to be more intentional with their screen time, Time Back is a fantastic tool that is the perfect blend of technology and mindfulness.

### 5/5 — Zen garden zen life

*2025-03-04, version 1.0.5*

Wow so cute and effective! Getting so much more reading done instead of doomscrolling :) I also love my little zen garden!

## Frequently asked questions about TimeBack

### What does TimeBack do?

TimeBack is an app designed to help you regain control of your screen time and build better focus habits. It functions as an app blocker, allowing you to set up focus sessions to prevent distractions. The app also incorporates a unique gamified element where you can design and grow a virtual zen garden as a reward for your focus efforts.

### How does the zen garden feature work?

The zen garden feature is a core part of TimeBack's approach to making focus fun. Each completed focus session earns you elements that you can use to design and customize your own peaceful digital retreat. By staying consistent with your focus habits, you can unlock surprise collections and watch your zen garden flourish, visualizing your progress.

### Is TimeBack free to use?

The application is available for free, but it does offer in-app purchases. This means you can download and use the basic features without cost, with the option to purchase additional items or features to enhance your experience.

### What are the benefits of using TimeBack?

TimeBack offers several benefits, including effective screen time control by blocking distracting apps, the ability to build focus habits without solely relying on willpower, and a fun, rewarding way to practice mindfulness. It helps users stay present, reduce mindless scrolling, and achieve a healthier relationship with their devices.

### Is my data safe with TimeBack?

Yes, TimeBack prioritizes user privacy and safety. The app utilizes Apple's Screen Time API for app blocking, and all your data is kept securely on your device. No personal information is shared or stored externally, ensuring a private and safe experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.9 — 2026-09-10

Hi fam, we made a few changes in this version! 

- Fixed bugs related to Focus Plan 
- Now your focus plan will work offline, and even across timezones 
- Improved our Zen Mode functionality to make it STRICT! You won't be able to take any breaks or even delete any apps during an active focus session
- Fixed all the notification bugs
- Updated streaks so now you won't be able to restore it if you break it. So yeah, you'd better focus!! 

Enjoy our free app! AND MORE TO COME!

Best, 
S.K.
Founder

### 1.0.8 — 2025-03-18

We added a screen loader to minimize crashes!

### 1.0.7 — 2025-03-14

New loading screen

### 1.0.6 — 2025-03-04

Removed low memory warning.

### 1.0.5 — 2025-02-28

Fixed known issues.

## Apps similar to TimeBack

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Barrier: Screen Time For Focus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443) | 4.7 (308) | Free | Productivity |
| [Superhappy Screen Time Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/superhappy-screen-time-blocker/id6479611902) | 4.6 (280) | Free | Productivity |
| [Yoodoo: ADHD Daily Planner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yoodoo-adhd-daily-planner/id1644320094) | 3.0 (1) | Free | Productivity |
| [Atten - App Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atten-app-blocker/id6608976383) | 4.7 (139) | Free | Productivity |
| [log off - unrot your brain](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/log-off-unrot-your-brain/id6612007322) | 4.8 (332) | Free | Productivity |
| [TimeBack: Block Addictive Apps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timeback-block-addictive-apps/id6748564790) | 5.0 (36) | Free | Productivity |

## Related topics

[zenlist](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/zenlist)

---

*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 2026-09-17.*