I’ve been using this for almost two months now, and it was exactly what I was looking for: to block YT shorts on my iPhone, without installing some sketchy app. Blockit doesn’t require granting any permissions, so I don’t need to worry about my information being transmitted. Of course, the tradeoff on the secure design is that this only works on safari, so I cannot use the nicer YT app, but I do not mind that (and I don’t have the time to figure out how to sideload a modified YT). I did find that for Instagram, the website is a PWA, so I can add the website directly to my home screen and it works exactly like the normal app minus the annoying reels.I don’t mind a yearly subscription if it means the blocker will keep blocking.

This app does exactly what it says it will do. Make sure you fully understand what it does. It does not block apps or anything about apps so if you are having issues with social media addiction step number one is to uninstall the apps from your phone. Step number two is to install this app so that when you inevitably go to the site, the feed is blocked. I like that I can still participate in a couple of Facebook groups, check events and sell stuff on marketplace without getting sucked in. Great app, does what it says perfectly and what it does is exactly what I needed!

The Good: This works well. There is currently a bug where it is not blocking stories on Facebook but everything else seems to be functional. The Bad: This app used to be a one-time purchase and now the developer is charging an annual fee. If you would like to charge a subscription, please use it to keep updating the app (e.g. fix the Facebook stories issue)The Ugly: even though I bought the app when it was a one-time purchase I have been switched to paying an annual fee. I'm not really upset at the cost, I would probably still subscribe if I didn't get a grandfathered price -- I'm upset that app developers have the ability (and implicit permission from Apple) to switch up on you and start charging again when you thought the deal was done.

Another one bites the dust. The shift from a lifetime service model to a subscription-based app is becoming an increasingly frustrating trend among companies and app developers. A quick search in the #BlockIt’s reviews will reveal many customers that feel alienated by unanticipated and unprompted change. We were initially drawn to the app for its promise of a one-time purchase and now face unexpected ongoing costs. The developer forced everyone’s hand by pushing the change via an automatic update. It is genuinely surprising how this is not against Apple’s terms and conditions. #BlockIt’s developer’s choice is unfortunate because it has certainly resulted in lost revenue from good reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations. Instead of fostering long-term loyalty, they have instead chosen to damage their reputations and eroding the trust of their customer base—all for a few bucks. Just think of all the high praises and recommendations from those who paid the initial lifetime fee, if the developer would have simply honored their end. I like many will not being resubscribing. The issues and errors blocking certain areas of webpages like Instagram and Reddit was acceptable under a lifetime fee—but unacceptable under a subscription. On to the next.