app to block social media and YouTube before bed iPhone
LockHour's Sleep Wind Down mode runs a 60-minute pre-bed focus lock that shields Social, Video, and Entertainment apps — and it can be scheduled to activate automatically every night via iOS so you don't have to make the decision when you're already tired. LockHour Pro — Block the apps that steal your focus — one tap.
Short answer
The impulse to scroll at night is hardest to resist in exactly the moment when a manually-triggered app blocker fails. LockHour Pro solves this with a schedulable Sleep Wind Down: set a nightly start time and the OS DeviceActivity system activates the block automatically, even if you've forgotten to open the app. The default duration is 60 minutes targeting Social, Video, and Entertainment categories; you can swap in any specific apps or domains. The block ends at a configurable time (default 7 AM) and lifts automatically — no morning steps needed.
Try LockHour Pro on a real example first, and check the current App Store listing for exact features and pricing before you decide.
What to look for before choosing
- Sleep Wind Down: 60-minute default lock on Social, Video, and Entertainment categories
- Schedulable via iOS DeviceActivity — triggers automatically every night without opening the app
- Hard Mode: cooldown delay + typed confirmation phrase required to cancel the session early
- Calls, alarms, messages, and non-selected apps remain fully accessible throughout
- Configurable end time (default 7 AM); everything unlocks automatically
A practical decision process
- Define the job you need done most often.
- Test the app with real content or a realistic scenario.
- Check privacy labels and account requirements.
- Confirm export and backup options.
- Choose the pricing model you are comfortable maintaining.
Quick comparison
| Need | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Check whether useful features require a subscription, a one-time unlock, or neither. | The cheapest app on day one may not be cheapest after a year. |
| Privacy model | Prefer on-device work when the content is sensitive. | Private documents, resumes, study data, and family content deserve careful handling. |
| Export / lock-in | Confirm file formats, sharing, backup, and deletion controls. | A good app should help you finish the task, not trap your work. |
Where LockHour Pro fits
LockHour Pro is built for exactly this — use the checklist above and test it on a real example.
Pay onceNo adsOn-device
This is a publisher-authored buying guide from the app developer. App Store features and prices can change, so confirm details on the listing before purchase.
FAQ
Does the sleep schedule work even if LockHour is not running in the background?
Yes. The schedule is registered with iOS DeviceActivity — the operating system handles triggering it. LockHour does not need to be running in the foreground for the block to activate.
Can I block specific apps for Sleep Wind Down rather than categories?
Yes — the selection uses Apple's FamilyActivityPicker, so you can choose specific apps (e.g. TikTok, Reddit) plus any web domains in addition to or instead of broad categories.
What if I genuinely need to use a blocked app at night?
Without Hard Mode enabled you can end the session immediately in the app. With Hard Mode on, there is a cooldown delay plus a typed confirmation phrase before cancellation — enough friction to interrupt an impulse scroll, but not a parental lock. Someone sufficiently determined can also revoke Screen Time authorization in iOS Settings.