Freedom: Screen Time Control

Read about the app on a recent BBC article, sounded like just the thing I needed. However…very limited functionality as free app but just way too overpriced if wanting to upgrade to premium. Loaded and deleted almost immediately. Will try some of the other Apps suggested in the article instead.

A total waste of money. Ended a session and can’t access anything on my web browser. Terrible installation instructions and just overall just glitchy. Only way to use your browser again is to uninstall the app and the driver and restart your computer. Absolutely insane.

It worked for a few days, but is now 100% not functional on my iPhone. There is scant info on how to fix it the help section just sends you in circles

This is app is not consistent with blocking content. I noticed lately that I can access sites even when I added block all websites for a certain hours. Can you have a look at this

Literally the worst app I have ever encountered. Do NOT use this unless you are certain that you want to shut down access to every benefit of having a smart phone. I have tried this and almost got locked out of almost everything on my iPhone for 24 hours (including messaging apps). apparently you cannot choose WHAT app/apps you want to block- it blocks ALL of them. Real convenient. I do not recommend this unless you are HARDCORE trying to avoid any distractions (including a friend or family member who may be in an emergency).

This is a life changing app. No matter who you are, how old you are, how much money you make, etc the issue of screen addiction is a reality. I am so glad I found this app and since using it, I’ve been way more productive, my dopamine levels have reset to a healthy balance, I’m sleeping way better and being more available for my life and responsibilities. Getting rid of or downgrading to an ancient phone is not feasible with how tethered I am running my own business etc and the phone is an amazing tool but now I only benefit from it instead of the other way around. Just get it. Being able to select what to lock and customize to specific habits and issues is very helpful. I block YouTube and Facebook 100 percent of the time and only unlock for short periods of time when I need it the most. The extra barrier stops me from compulsively checking or scrolling. Thank you to this app and the creators!

You’re probably not going to last because game sites don’t like to lose. You are a life saver. Thanks

Freedom saves me from myself.

I’ve used Freedom for several years, and it is truly a life changing app. I’ve regained countless hours of time by automating block lists across my devices and reducing the habitual device pick-ups that led me down so many wasted hours. I am grateful to Freedom and its team of developers for making this app. I’d love to see them put more work into feature development that gives users more options to build block lists, white lists, dynamic schedules, and tiered permission levels. For example, some block schedules might be a little more permissive in permitting a blocked app to be opened for a minute during a session. A whitelist could permit more thorough blocking on phones with many apps (currently there’s a limit to the number of blocked apps thanks to iOS). A revised scheduling feature could make it easier to have different schedules for different days (currently that’s cumbersome) and identify in advance days that may be exceptions, like holidays. Given its rigidity now, I’m often going to a different device or deleting the app altogether for the day so that I can get around the blocking due to a holiday or other rare exception, which then defeats the purpose of the app. It’s currently phenomenal at blocking just the distracting apps. But if you’re trying to block most apps, and create a ‘dumb phone’ experience, it’s not quite keeping up. There are other apps available now that have followed in Freedom’s footsteps and offer these features. I hope the Freedom team is able to keep developing and innovating so it’s not left behind.

I set Freedom to turn on every morning at seven and off at noon. It keeps my attention on the tasks at hand rather than being pulled off into distractions.