iPhone & iPad · Limit or block apps & sites

Limit time on an app

Use Instagram, TikTok or YouTube for a set amount of time, then get blocked.

10 stepsAbout 3 min

Step 1 of 10

What do you want to happen?

Picking the right one now is the most important step. People who skip this often end up blocking the app completely.

Limit how long I use itUse it for a while each day, then it's blocked.Continue here Block it completelyThe app won't open at all.Go to Block an app completely Block it at certain hoursFor example, no Instagram after 10pm.Go to Block an app at certain hours

Step 2 of 10

Open the Block & Monitor tab

Tap Block & Monitor in the bar at the bottom of the app.

Step 3 of 10

Tap Add Rule

Tap Add Rule in the bottom right corner. A small menu opens.

Step 4 of 10

Choose App

Tap App.

Step 5 of 10

Open the category your app is in

Find the category that holds the app you want to limit (Instagram and TikTok are under Social). Tap the arrow on the right of that row to open it.

Watch out

Don't tap the circle next to the category name, and don't choose All Apps & Categories. Either one selects every app in it, which blocks far more than you meant to.

LeadMeNot · app picker

Step 6 of 10

Select just your app, then tap Continue

Inside the category, tick the app you want to limit only, then tap Continue at the bottom. Use Search if you can't find it.

Step 7 of 10

Choose Stay for too long

Under Situation, tap Stay for too long. This lets you use the app for a set time before it's blocked.

Watch out

Access them blocks the app the moment the rule is on. During certain times is a schedule, not a daily limit.

LeadMeNot · Edit custom rule

Step 8 of 10

Set your time limit, then tap Next

Choose how long you can use the app before it's blocked, then tap Next.

Step 9 of 10

Choose what you see when it's blocked

Pick a blank screen, an inspiring quote, or a picture you choose. Then tap Next.

Good to know

A personal picture (your family, a goal) is often the most effective reminder in a weak moment.

LeadMeNot · Block & Monitor

Step 10 of 10

Your rule is on

You'll see your new rule on the Block & Monitor tab. Check that Block is switched on for it, and switch on Monitor too if you want your partner told when you hit it.

Good to know

Rules you make on iPhone stay on iPhone. Because of Apple's privacy rules they don't copy to Android, Windows or Mac, so recreate them there if you need them.

Did this work?

No, I'm stuck