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Pick your apps
Choose the apps that pull you in — TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, shopping, or anything else.
Free app blocker · iPhone
A free app blocker that doesn't feel like a wall.
Most blockers slam a door you'll learn to resent — and then disable. Polanthos blocks distracting apps with a calm pause instead. Free to download, no subscription, no ads.
Free to download
No subscription to start
No ads
iPhone
How it works
Block apps in three taps.
2
Get a calm pause
When you reach for a blocked app, Polanthos shows a full-screen breath and intention check.
3
Choose what's next
Continue on purpose, close the app, or redirect to a small todo or journal note.
Why a gentle blocker beats a hard one
A free app blocker is only useful if you keep it on. Hard blockers create a tug-of-war: you set a strict rule, hit it at the worst moment, get frustrated, and disable it. The block is gone exactly when you needed it most.
Polanthos takes a different stance. It doesn't forbid — it interrupts the autopilot. One breath is usually enough to notice "I didn't actually mean to open this," and close it. And on the times you genuinely want the app, you continue with intention, no guilt.
What you can block
- Social media — use it as a TikTok blocker or Instagram blocker.
- Video — add a pause before YouTube.
- Shopping and entertainment apps you open out of boredom.
- Any app you want to use on purpose instead of by reflex.
Genuinely free
Polanthos is free to download on the App Store. No ads inside the product, no engagement bait, no public streaks. It's a quiet tool that stays out of your way until the moment it matters. Compare it with paid options in our alternatives guide.
FAQ
Free app blocker FAQ
Is there a free app blocker for iPhone?
Yes. Polanthos is a free app blocker for iPhone. It blocks distracting apps with a calm pause before they open — no subscription required to start, no ads.
How do I block apps on my iPhone for free?
Download Polanthos free, choose the apps you want to block, and it adds a calm pause before each one opens so you can continue, close, or redirect.
Does a gentle blocker actually work?
For most people, yes — because the real problem is automatic, mindless opening. A pause breaks that loop without the resentment that makes people disable strict blockers.
Will it block apps permanently?
Polanthos isn't about lock-outs. It adds a mindful pause and keeps you in control, which tends to be more sustainable than a hard, permanent block.
Block the noise, gently.
Free to download. Add one calm pause before the apps that pull you in.