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Ask HN: Is there any way to lock apps on iPhone?

Quinzel Saturday, January 03, 2026

What I mean, is there any way to lock apps on your phone so you can’t even open them until after a set time has elapsed?

I have apps on my phone that I want to reduce the amount I use them because I end up wasting too much time on them. I then delete them. Only to then download them again later. Then I think, I won’t use this app today, and then accidentally mindlessly open the app while I’m having a moment of boredom and then I’m wasting time again.

What I thought would be cool, is if I could lock the time wasting apps, for say… 8 hours (or whatever time I wanna choose), and then it’s forced down time, it can’t be unlocked any other way than just waiting out the time. It could help break a time wasting habit. Because consciously, I want to use all my time wisely, but I forget these good intentions often.

Does any feature like this exist? If not, is there any way to build this feature into an app to put on your phone to help with regulating phone time?

It might be a dumb idea… but I thought I’d ask the question :)

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