App Blocking

Distant blocks apps with Apple's Screen Time framework. While a session runs, a blocked app shows the iOS Screen Time screen instead of opening. The block is set by iOS, so it holds even when Distant is closed.

Screen Time permission

Distant asks for Screen Time access the first time you open it, and again when you start a session if access is missing. Distant can't start any session without it.

When iOS asks:

1. Tap Continue.
2. Confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your device passcode.

Distant uses this access only to block and unblock apps during your sessions. It doesn't read your Screen Time usage reports. The apps you pick are passed to Distant as private tokens from Apple, so Distant never sees their names. See Privacy & Data.

Turn access on or off later

In the iOS Settings app, open Screen Time and find Distant in the list of apps with Screen Time access. Turning it off stops Distant from blocking apps and from starting sessions.

Choose apps to block

1. On the main screen, tap the menu (three lines), then Block Apps.
2. Apple's app picker opens. Expand a category and select individual apps.
3. Tap Done.

The menu item changes to Block Apps (3), showing how many apps are selected. Distant uses the same list for every session until you change it. The list is saved when you start a session, so if you close Distant before starting one, check the list again next time.

WARNING

Distant blocks the individual apps you select. Selecting a whole category or a website in the picker doesn't block anything. Expand the category and select each app instead.

To change the list, open Block Apps again. You can't change it during a session, because the menu is hidden.

If you start a session with no apps selected, the timer runs and earns XP, but nothing is blocked.

Device-Free

Device-Free is a focus type that blocks every app category instead of your Block Apps list. Choose it when you want to put your phone down entirely.

1. Tap the focus type button on the main screen.
2. Choose Device-Free. The button shows (All Apps).
3. Tap Start Focus.

iOS doesn't let Screen Time block some built-in apps, such as Phone, so those stay available.

When blocking ends

Your apps are unblocked when:

• You end or complete the session.
• You use Emergency Override. Blocking comes back after five minutes, or as soon as you return to Distant.
• The session's planned time has passed and you open Distant. If the session ended while you were away, open Distant to lift the blocks.

Pausing a session doesn't unblock your apps.

If blocking doesn't work

See Troubleshooting for step-by-step fixes.