Friction°
Block Apps. Build Discipline.
Only for iPhone
Free · In‑App Purchases
iPhone
Block distracting apps with rules you can't easily undo. Friction adds a real challenge between you and your impulses — so you actually stick to your own boundaries.
Friction blocks the apps you choose — and makes it genuinely hard to change your mind.
Other screen time apps let you tap "ignore" in one second. Friction doesn't. When you try to disable a block, you'll face a randomized 40-character challenge string you have to type out perfectly. By the time you could finish, the impulse has passed. That's the whole idea.
SET YOUR OWN RULES
Create blocking rules that fit your life:
• Schedule — block apps on specific days and times (e.g. no Instagram on weekdays 9–5)
• Multi-Time — multiple blocking windows in a single rule
• Session — start an immediate focus block for a set duration
• Location — automatically block apps when you arrive at or leave a place
THE FRICTION GENERATOR
This is what makes Friction different. When you try to disable your own rules, you face a challenge:
• Type a randomly-generated string of characters (adjustable length)
• Or hold a button for up to 90 seconds
• Maximum Friction mode requires the challenge to even edit or delete a rule
The harder you make it, the less often you'll bother.
WEBSITE BLOCKING
Block specific domains or all adult content. Website blocks follow the same friction rules as app blocks.
PREVENT DELETION
Turn on Prevent Deletion to stop yourself from uninstalling Friction during an active session.
DESIGNED FOR SELF-CONTROL
Friction is not a parental control app. It's a tool for adults who want to set their own boundaries and actually keep them. You make the rules. Friction enforces them.
Friction Premium unlocks location-based rules, multi-time blocking, unlimited schedule rules, and more. Available as a monthly and yearly subscription.
• Frictionº Monthly: $4.99
• Frictionº Yearly: $19.99
Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period.
Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/frictiongenerator/terms-of-use
Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/frictiongenerator/home
1.3 changelog:
- Moved around cards on the Dashboard. What used to be "Today's Priorities" on the Dashboard is now "Custom Block Screen Text" in Settings.
- Added a very modest Frictionº Stats section to the Dashboard. Tracks days in a row where Friction rules have been used, and generates a total time rules were active to give users a rough estimate of the amount of time they're saving with the app.
- Updated privacy policy.
- Minor bug fixes and UI polish.
The developer, Matthew Harder, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Linked to You
The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:
- Purchases
- Identifiers
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
- Usage Data
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Matthew Harder
- Size
- 27.8 MB
- Category
- Productivity
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 18.2 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 18.2 or later.
- iPhone
- Languages
- English
- Age Rating
4+
- 4+
- In-App Purchases
Yes
- Frictionº Yearly $19.99
- Frictionº Monthly $4.99
- Frictionº Yearly $19.99
- Frictionº Monthly $4.99
- Copyright
- © Matthew Harder, 2026