How to block apps on iOS
Freedom uses iOS Screen Time controls to block apps on iOS. (iOS 16+) Follow the instructions below to block apps on your iOS device.
Step 1: Edit or Add a new blocklist
You can customize your blocklists to include which apps you would like to block with Freedom. To do this, follow the steps below:
Select the Blocklists tab.
Tap the three dots to the right of the blocklist name to edit an existing blocklist, or create a new blocklist by selecting Add New Blocklist.
Step 2: Allow Screen Time Permissions if not allowed yet
If you haven't yet given Freedom permission to access Screen time controls, you will see a pop-up asking for permission. Select Continue and follow the steps to authorize Freedom.
Step 3: Choose iOS Apps to Block
After granting permission, you will be taken to a screen where you can select apps to add. Select the apps, or categories of apps, you would like to block, and then select the Continue link.
Or, if editing an existing blocklist, select Add iOS Apps to Block.
Step 4: Save Blocklist
On the Create a Blocklist screen, name your blocklist. You can also add websites to the blocklist if desired by selecting Add websites.
Don't forget to save your blocklist by selecting the Save Blocklist button. You are now ready to add this blocklist to sessions!
Step 5: Add your blocklist to a session
The apps you selected will now be blocked any time you add that blocklist to a session!
For more information on how to set up sessions with your new app blocklist, please see Starting a block session or Start later and recurring sessions.
How to block apps with older versions of Freedom
When using Freedom on earlier versions of iOS (15 and below) you will have to add Freedom's curated website filters to your blocklists and install the Freedom Profile/VPN.
If an app is not included in a Freedom Curated Filter, you'll need to add the URL(s) for the app by selecting the "Add Custom Website" option. Many app URLs can be found in the Netify database here, which lists URLs for many popular apps.
ℹ️ When you add website filters or custom websites to your blocklists, Freedom will block those websites in your mobile browsers, and also block the connection to those URLs in the corresponding apps. The app will still open, but the connection to download new content will be blocked. Please note that due to caching, it can take a few minutes before new content is blocked.
Download Freedom for iOS
Having trouble?
If you're having any difficulty, please feel free to contact us. We're happy to help!