Ember Lock: Block Apps & Focus

Santiago Borzone

Contains adsIn-app purchases

About this app

Use Instagram without Reels. Use YouTube without Shorts. Ember Lock's smart browser strips the addictive parts from social media so you can scroll with intention, not compulsion. No willpower required. The content that hooks you just isn't there.

SMART BROWSER — SOCIAL MEDIA ON YOUR TERMS

Open Instagram or YouTube inside Ember Lock's built-in browser and choose exactly what you see:

Instagram filters
- Block Reels tab and Reels shelves
- Block Explore page
- Block suggested posts
- DMs-only mode for zero distractions

YouTube filters
- Block Shorts
- Block Home Feed (auto-redirects to Subscriptions)
- Disable Autoplay

Three preset modes make it simple. Focus mode strips everything except messages and subscriptions. Browse mode keeps your feed but removes Reels, Shorts, and algorithmic suggestions. Full Access mode removes all filters when you want them gone.

After 15 minutes of continuous browsing, a gentle nudge reminds you to take a break. Not a lecture. Just a check-in.

APP BLOCKING ACROSS YOUR PHONE

Block 25+ apps across social media, video, gaming, shopping, and news categories. Or block any app on your phone. Set a daily scroll time budget and customize your schedule — different rules for weekdays, weekends, or specific hours. When your time runs out, Ember Lock steps in.

DAILY TIMERS THAT ACTUALLY WORK

Set your daily screen time limit and Ember Lock tracks it in real time. Your scroll time budget counts down as you use blocked apps or browse filtered platforms. When the timer hits zero, the app doesn't just show a warning you'll ignore — it launches a guided cooldown to help you reset.

THE S.T.O.R.E.R. COOLDOWN — YOUR GUIDED RESET

When you open a blocked app or your scroll time runs out, Ember Lock guides you through a 6-step intervention designed to interrupt the dopamine loop:

S — Stop. Pause and acknowledge the urge.
T — Tune. Check in with your body. Where do you feel tension?
O — One Win. Recall something positive you did today.
R — Regulate. A guided breathing exercise to calm your nervous system.
E — Engage. Choose a meaningful activity instead.
R — Reflect. Write what triggered the urge and what you learned.

This isn't willpower. It's a structured path back to baseline. Most people finish feeling clear-headed — not because they were forced to wait, but because the urge genuinely passed.

FEATURES THAT KEEP YOU ON TRACK

- Heat Gauge — a visual indicator that rises with phone usage and cools as you build mindful habits
- Streaks and milestones that reward consistency, with freeze protection so one rough day doesn't erase your progress
- Analytics dashboard with real screen time data from your device
- Home screen widgets for quick access
- Cloud sync across devices

BUILT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING

If Digital Wellbeing timers, app blockers, grayscale mode, and unfollowing accounts haven't worked — Ember Lock was built for you. It targets the habit loop itself, not just the hours on your phone addiction tracker.

FREE FOREVER

App blocking, daily timers, the full S.T.O.R.E.R. cooldown, and content filters are all free. Ember Lock Pro unlocks an ad-free experience, deeper analytics, and daily day passes for when you genuinely need access.

Your screen time is your life. Ember Lock helps you take it back — not through restriction, but through focus, awareness, and digital wellbeing tools that actually change the behavior.

What’s new

- Fixed widget
- Added translations
- Improved onboarding experience
- Blocked reels from dm only mode browser view