Help and guide

Everything you need to block distracting apps on iPhone and iPad.

Getting started

Kids Block has one main screen. You pick the apps or categories to restrict, tap the big button to block them, and they stay blocked until you unblock or your reminder fires. There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to configure on a server.

1. Open Kids Block and grant Screen Time access when prompted.
2. Tap Select on the "Apps to Block" card and choose apps or categories.
3. Tap the big Block Apps button. The selected apps are now restricted.
4. Optionally set an unblock reminder and turn on a PIN or Face ID.
5. To release the apps, tap Unblock Apps (and enter your PIN or Face ID if set).

Granting Screen Time access

Kids Block blocks apps using Apple's Screen Time (Family Controls) framework, so the first time you open it you will be asked to Grant Access. This permission is what lets the app control which apps can be opened on this device. Tap Grant Access and confirm.

Everything happens on the device. The permission does not give the app your data, it simply lets it apply and remove the system block. You can change this later in the iOS Settings app under Screen Time.

Selecting apps and categories

Tap Select (or Edit) to open Apple's app picker. You can:

• Tap a single app, such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Safari, or a specific game.
• Tap a whole category, such as Social, Games, or Entertainment, to cover everything in it at once.

Blocking a category also covers apps in that category that are installed later, which is handy on a child's device. Tap Done to save your selection. The "Apps to Block" card shows how many categories and apps you have chosen.

Blocking and unblocking

The large button is the heart of the app. When apps are free it is red and says Block Apps. Tap it and every selected app is restricted instantly. When apps are blocked the button turns green and says Unblock Apps. Tap it to allow access again.

When someone opens a blocked app, iOS shows a shield screen instead of the app. This is a system level block, so it holds even if the app is already in memory.

Unblock reminders

While apps are blocked, the Unblock Reminder card lets you set a notification for when it is time to unblock. Choose a preset (10, 20, or 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, or until morning) or pick a custom time. You will get a notification at that time. The reminder is a nudge: you still decide when to actually tap unblock, so it never creates a loophole.

You can Change or Cancel an active reminder from the same card.

Unlock protection (PIN and Face ID)

The Unlock Protection card lets you require authentication before the block can be lifted. Options are:

• No Protection: anyone can unblock. Fine if you only use it on your own phone.
• PIN Code: set a 4 digit PIN. Best on a child's device, since they cannot unblock without it.
• Face ID: use your face as the key. Great for personal focus on your own phone.

With protection on, unblocking, editing the app list, cancelling a reminder, and changing the protection method all require your PIN or face. Changing the method itself also requires authentication, so it cannot be quietly downgraded.

On a child's device versus your own phone

Kids Block applies to the device it is installed on. For parental control, install it on the child's iPhone or iPad, choose the categories to block, and turn on a PIN only you know. For personal focus, install it on your own phone and use Face ID or a quick reminder to keep yourself honest during work or study.

Privacy

Kids Block runs entirely on the device. It collects no personal data, has no analytics, ads, or trackers, requires no account, and needs no internet connection to block apps. Your PIN is stored in encrypted device storage and Face ID uses Apple's Secure Enclave. See the privacy policy for details.

Troubleshooting

• The block button is greyed out. You have not selected any apps yet. Tap Select and choose at least one app or category.
• Apps are not being blocked. Make sure you granted Screen Time access. Open iOS Settings, then Screen Time, and confirm access is allowed, then reopen Kids Block.
• I cannot unblock. If you set a PIN or Face ID, you need it to unblock. If you forgot the PIN, you can reset protection from the app while it is unlocked, or as a last resort remove Screen Time access in iOS Settings.
• The picker shows icons but no names sometimes. For privacy, Apple gives apps opaque tokens for the selected apps, so a few items may look generic. The block still works correctly.
• A short reminder did not use the background monitor. Reminders under about 15 minutes use an in app timer and a notification rather than the system monitor. Keep the reminder notification enabled so you are alerted on time.

Still need help?

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