An app to block distracting apps for a set time.
You know which apps pull you away. Life Over Screen lets you choose exactly which ones to block, for how long, and who you are protecting that time for. €4.99 one-time. iPhone and Android. No subscription, no account.
In one paragraph
Life Over Screen blocks distracting apps for a set time so you can be more present with the people around you. You choose who this moment is for — family, kids, your partner, friends, or yourself. You choose a duration. You pick the apps to block. The session runs. When it ends, you see how much time you protected. No streaks, no scores, no subscription. €4.99 once.
What gets blocked
Any app on your phone. You choose your own list each time or save a default. Most people block apps in these categories:
- Social media. Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, Reddit, Facebook, Snapchat, Threads.
- Video. YouTube, Netflix, Twitch.
- News. News aggregators, Apple News, Google News.
- Games. Whatever pulls you in during moments that matter.
- Messaging (optional). Some people block WhatsApp or Telegram during family time. Others keep them available. Your call.
You are not blocking everything. You are blocking the specific apps that tend to hijack an hour you meant to spend differently.
How session blocking works
- Choose who this moment is for. Family. Kids. Love. Friends. Me. Or your own reason.
- Choose how long. 15 minutes to 4 hours, or custom.
- Pick the distracting apps. Pre-grouped categories or individual selection.
- Start the session. Selected apps go quiet.
- Live the moment. Your phone becomes less interesting.
- See your protected time. When the session ends, a simple summary of time you kept for real life.
Why blocking works better than limits
Screen time limits tell you when you have used too much. But by then, the time is already gone. And the override is one tap away.
Blocking works differently. It removes the option before the reflex kicks in. A 2023 PNAS study found that friction-based interventions — a small pause or block before opening an app — reduced app openings by about 57%. That is the strongest single finding in the category.
You do not have to resist the urge to check Instagram if Instagram is not available right now. The decision happened when you started the session, not in the moment of temptation.
iPhone vs Android — honestly
On iPhone, Life Over Screen uses Apple's Screen Time APIs (FamilyControls, ManagedSettings) to make selected apps inaccessible during a session. This is the same enforcement layer Opal uses on iOS. It is clean and reliable.
On Android, public APIs do not allow consumer apps to block other apps the way iOS does. Life Over Screen uses an interruption layer: when you open a selected distracting app during a session, Life Over Screen comes to the front with a calm redirect. The promise on Android is reliable interruption, not perfect lockout.
We say this plainly because it matters. Both platforms do the same job — interrupt the reflex — but the mechanism differs.
How Life Over Screen compares to other app blockers
| App | Platforms | Pricing | Approach | Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Over Screen | iOS, Android | €4.99 one-time | Session blocking, people-first | No |
| Opal | iOS only | $9.99/mo or $79.99/yr | Hard blocking + gamification | Yes |
| Freedom | iOS, Android, Mac, Win | ~$7/mo or $40/yr | Cross-device blocking + scheduling | Yes |
| one sec | iOS, Android | ~$3/mo or $20/yr | Friction pause before app opens | Yes |
| ScreenZen | iOS, Android | Free (premium tier available) | Progressive delays | No |
| Forest | iOS, Android | ~$4 one-time + extras | Gamified focus timer | Optional |
Pricing accurate to June 2026. Confirm current pricing on the App Store or Google Play.
Pricing
€4.99 one-time. No subscription. Localized pricing applies on App Store and Google Play. Restore purchase available on reinstall or new device of the same store account.
Privacy
- No account. No email. No signup.
- No cloud sync. Session data lives on the device.
- No advertising or analytics SDKs.
- App selection on iPhone uses Apple's privacy-preserving tokens — the app does not learn which specific apps you picked.
Frequently asked questions
What apps can I block?
Any app on your phone. Most people block social media, video apps, news apps, and games. You choose your own list each session or save a default set.
How does blocking work on iPhone?
Life Over Screen uses Apple's Screen Time APIs (FamilyControls, ManagedSettings) to make selected apps inaccessible during a session. Same enforcement layer as Opal and other iOS blockers.
How does blocking work on Android?
Android's public APIs do not allow the same shielding as iOS. Life Over Screen uses an interruption layer — when you open a blocked app during a session, the app comes to the front with a calm redirect. Reliable interruption, not perfect lockout.
Can I stop blocking early?
Yes. One tap. No penalty, no streak loss, no guilt copy.
Is there an app blocker without a subscription?
Yes. Life Over Screen is €4.99 one-time. Forest is also one-time. Cold Turkey is one-time on desktop. Most others (Opal, Freedom, one sec) are subscriptions.
Does it block notifications too?
During a session, blocked apps cannot send visible notifications on most configurations. On iOS, this is handled by the Screen Time framework. On Android, notification behaviour depends on device manufacturer settings.