I can’t help but again recommend @appblock_app to anyone who wants to block their usage of smartphone apps that can be too distracting. Here’s how it works: AppBlock is a comprehensive and impenetrable solution to being distracted by apps, as it locks out all possible workarounds, and unlike the iOS Screen Time feature, it can’t be disabled with a pin code or even with your Apple Account credentials. AppBlock lets you add any app or website on your device to a custom list of blacklisted apps and then prevents the apps from being opened for the duration you select (minutes, hours, or days), or according to a schedule you create, or both. You can create several different schedules with different lists of blocked apps, for different use cases, and you can also add a list of apps to its Quick Block mode that has a custom timer of up to 24 hours. You can then use your various schedules and/or the Quick Block mode based on your needs at any given time. AppBlock prevents you from disabling the blocks you’ve set up while they’re in effect, by keeping them active even if you change the clock time on your device or restart your device. Its optional Strict Mode, which can be set for up to 24 hours at a time, blocks deleting apps (like AppBlock) and installing new ones (like mobile web browser apps or other apps used to access websites you overuse or find distracting), preventing you from using workarounds and taking willpower out of the equation. Strict Mode also blocks changes to AppBlock’s settings and schedules. To make the app maximally effective, you can easily create an iOS Automation to make the iOS Shortcuts app open whenever you open the iOS Settings app, and add the iOS Shortcuts app in AppBlock, so that when you enable the automation and then activate AppBlock, you can’t de-provision the permissions in the iOS Settings app that enable AppBlock to control your access to apps on your device. AppBlock is incredibly useful and effective, and it is impossible to disable while it is active once you’ve enabled both the automation redirecting the iOS Settings app to the iOS Shortcuts app and AppBlock’s Strict Mode — allowing you to break bad habits, stay focused, avoid distractions, get things done, and restore balance to your day-to-day life. AppBlock is free in its fully functional mode for 7 days and then $30 annually to continue using all of its features. It’s available on both iOS devices and Android devices. It’s well worth the price, and I strongly recommended it.

OK, fine, the app is @appblock_app, and it’s awesome. They didn’t pay me to say this. Seriously! They didn’t. But they should have!