Commerce · alternatives · 2026
24 alternatives to 18yo first iOS app: blocks distracting apps and unlocks with QR/barcode
I built Recode because I realized I was spending 8-10 hours a day on my phone pretty consistently. I tried other screen time apps but I found them too easy to bypass and end my blocks whenever I wanted to use an app. My solution was to build an app blocker app that makes users have to scan a physical QR/barcode to take a break from their app blocks. This helped me be able to get my screen time down to just a few hours everyday since I didn't want to physically get up and go across the house to get my barcode. Anyways, since it worked for me I felt like sharing it. App store link:…
Recode is an iOS app blocker that prevents users from easily bypassing restrictions by requiring them to scan a physical QR or barcode code to unlock blocked apps. Designed for people struggling with excessive phone… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes.
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Barrier▲373Stop doomscrolling by blocking your addictive apps!
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
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Mom Clock▲742Hi HN, I’ve tried dozens of reminder and habit apps over the years. They’re all polite. Gentle. Easy to ignore. So I built something intentionally different. Mom Clock is a reminder app that behaves more like a strict parent than a productivity coach: – no snoozing – no “later” – optional app blocking using Screen Time APIs The idea came from my own behavior: I don’t need motivation — I need enforcement. This is not for everyone. Some people hate it. Some people love it. I’m genuinely curious where HN stands on this tradeoff: comfort vs. effectiveness. Happy to answer questions about: –…
Jan 2026 · momclock.com · its alternatives →
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ScreenBreak▲125Hi HN, I built ScreenBreak after realizing that most app blockers failed in practice. “Hard blocks” were too rigid — I either locked myself out entirely or tapped Ignore Limit and kept scrolling. There was no useful middle state. In reality, people still need to open apps like TikTok or Instagram for specific tasks: looking something up, replying to someone, checking updates, etc. The problem isn’t intentional use; it’s the unplanned, unconscious scrolling that follows. I wanted a system that interrupts the impulse without fully preventing access. ScreenBreak uses soft blocking plus…
Dec 2025 · screenbreak.app · its alternatives →
- 4
Block distractions with an agonizing, password retrieval
2023 · password-locker.com · its alternatives →
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AppBlock▲87Block apps with one tap and stay focused when it matters
2022 · appblock.app · its alternatives →
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AppBlocker▲73Increase productivity and reduce screen time
2022 · play.google.com · its alternatives →
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Callblock▲204The first app to block telemarketers automatically in iOS
2017 · callblockapp.com · its alternatives →
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I'm a solo dev. A few years ago, I got addicted to Reddit. Spent months in that loop. Being a programmer, I thought I'd be clever. Redirected Reddit's domain to nowhere in my DNS file. Worked great until I'd just... open the file and undo it 20 minutes later. So I made it irreversible. Locked the DNS file so it can't be edited unless I boot my Mac in safe mode. And if I do that, there's a script that instantly locks it again. Haven't used Reddit since last year. Problem solved, right? Wrong. I just replaced Reddit with Twitch and YouTube. Started keeping streams running in the background…
Nov 2025 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →
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Block distractions to eliminate wasteful browsing habits
2017 · selfcontrol.apki.io · its alternatives →
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EvoCat▲17I’ve always struggled with mindless scrolling, even when I had important work to do. Timers and app blockers never stuck — they felt boring and were easy to bypass. I built EvoCat as a small side project to solve my own problem. It’s a simple iOS app that blocks distracting apps and websites, but adds a fun layer of gamification: • You earn XP for staying focused • You evolve a digital cat as your self-control grows • Each evolution makes the blocking stronger (harder to quit sessions) It’s still in early beta, but this approach has helped me stay more mindful with my phone use. Would love…
2025 · evocat.app · its alternatives →
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Zone▲13Block apps, track Screen time. No account needed
Jan 2026 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
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my phone secretly robbed all my dreams and i didn’t even knew it got so bad. when i saw my screen time being about 11hrs with ~95 phone pickups per day, i realized how bad it got. my problem is that i could not avoid social media entirely as i post actively because i’m involved in marketing and branding. I tried the usual, app blockers & time limits, but i always find myself hitting “one more minute” like a junkie. i’m not looking for a complete social media absence or deleting everything as these radical solutions don’t fit my lifestyle and needs and i tend to come back needing even more.…
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
- 14
Block distracting apps. Earn access with movement.
Aug 2026 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
- 15GO
I built an app where you LITERALLY have to do push-ups to use Reddit (or whatever app). My guy, this is the summer you get SWOLE! Build a massive chest instead of doomscrolling on Hackernews. Also, it's FREE. You can set it on a schedule. You can set it on a time limit. You can set it after X opens. Or even after you come home from work. The apps will remain blocked until you do your push-ups! The app is built natively on SwiftUI. I use Apple's native Vision API to detect body parts and joints. I use Apple's Screen Time API for app blocking. I don't know what else to say so go on now and get…
2025 · timm.so · its alternatives →
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Hi Everyone, Digital Carrot is a programmable and pluggable app blocker. It lets you block websites and apps on iOS, Mac and Windows until a set of conditions or goal is met. For example you can block Reddit, Instagram and Steam until your Apple Watch reports that you have walked 5000 steps. The app works by collecting data via plugins that you can use to create goals for yourself. Goals are all represented by expressions that return true or false based on the data you provide. For example, if you want to create a goal to finish all of the tasks in your to-do list you could do something like…
Jan 2026 · digitalcarrot.app · its alternatives →
- 18
A friendly app blocker that keeps you focused
Jul 2026 · simbafocus.com · its alternatives →
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Hey HN, I'm a solo developer from Nigeria. I built Quran Unlock - an app that blocks distracting apps (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) until you complete your daily Quran reading. The idea came from my own struggle with phone addiction. I wanted to read Quran daily but kept getting distracted. So I built this for myself, then shared it. Some stats after 2 months: - 123K+ users - 64.9% returning user rate - 31M events tracked Tech stack: - React Native - Firebase (Auth, Firestore, Analytics, Cloud Messaging) - RevenueCat for subscriptions - iOS Screen Time API + Android UsageStats App Store:…
Jan 2026 · quranunlock.app · its alternatives →
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Refocus▲14Improve focus by blocking apps & websites on iPhone
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
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STAAAP▲12Block and unblock distracting apps by scanning a QR code
2025 · staaap.com · its alternatives →
- 22IB
Hi HN! I'm a former Facebook engineer who has struggled with smartphone / social media usage (ironic) for many years. The accountability of a personal trainer really worked for me to start a consistent fitness routine, so I've spent the past two years building out a low cost, lightweight coaching service (with real human coaches!) to help people with everyday habits -- screen time, fitness, sleep, diet, hobbies, personal hygiene. We recently launched a dedicated screen time coaching service for iPhone users, which integrates with the iOS Screen Time API to block problematic apps.…
2025 · zabit.com · its alternatives →
- 23IS
i built a heart rate zone training app for runners. ios + apple watch. custom zones, real-time haptics, post-run graphs. all the “smart” stuff you’d expect. but i never talked to a single runner before building it. not even myself lol. started as a thesis → kept building → added features → added a paywall (€4/month!) → launched it → and yeah… no one cared. zero feedback. zero users. just code in the void. i recently made the whole thing free. not trying to “sell” anything now — just seeing if it’s actually useful, and listening this time. curious how others handle this. ever build…
2025 · basamasa.github.io · its alternatives →
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Block apps and set focus timers to help iPhone addiction.
2024 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →