Answers
I keep ignoring my Screen Time limits. What can I do?
Short answer
Instead of a reminder after you have already spent the time, pause before you open: ByIntent has iOS cover the apps you choose with a shield that offers only two options, “Not now” or “Open for N minutes”, and “Open” has to be pressed twice. Tightening a rule takes effect immediately while loosening it waits 24 hours, so a rule you relax on impulse does not kick in right away, and for real emergencies the emergency pass is always there and always free.
What ByIntent actually does
| Moment | How ByIntent handles it |
|---|---|
| Before opening | The shield has only two options: “Not now” or “Open for N minutes”. Each app’s purpose is set in ByIntent ahead of time, and the shield title shows it. |
| Pressing “Open” | Press twice: the first press is only recorded, and you press again after a few seconds to get in. The wait runs from 5 to 60 seconds. |
| How long | You choose: from 5 minutes, in 5-minute steps, up to 2 hours. When time is up the guard comes back on and you get a notification. |
| Changing rules | Tightening takes effect immediately; loosening waits 24 hours. |
| Emergencies | Each emergency pass lasts 5 minutes, 3 per week by default; after that the wait becomes 2, 10, then 30 minutes. You are never locked out. |
| Day to day | You do not need to open ByIntent: set the rules once and iOS enforces them on schedule. |
Frequently asked questions
How is ByIntent different from the built-in Screen Time?
Screen Time reminds you once a limit is reached; ByIntent makes you pause before every open. “Open” has to be pressed twice: the first press is only recorded, and you press again after a few seconds to get in. The wait runs from 5 to 60 seconds, and it grows longer if you keep reopening the same app within a short time.
What if I just want to switch the limits off?
Tightening a rule takes effect immediately; loosening it takes 24 hours, and so does removing an app from your guarded list. For something stricter, turn on Commitment mode: the emergency pass then waits 10 minutes and is limited to once a week, and turning Commitment mode off also takes 24 hours.
What if something urgent comes up while I am blocked?
When your allowance is used up, during off hours, or during a break, the shield always shows an “Emergency pass” button, and it is always free. Each pass lasts 5 minutes, with 3 per week by default; after that you can still get through, but the wait becomes 2 minutes, then 10, then 30. You are never locked out.
Can a wrong setting lock me out?
After first setup you have a 5-minute window to undo it. Essential apps such as Phone, Maps, payments, and Health can go on an allowlist and are never blocked.
Does ByIntent cost money?
The core features are free forever: the intent gate, basic allowances, the emergency pass, export, and delete. ByIntent Pro adds all 20 color themes and iCloud sync across devices; see the App Store for the price.
Get ByIntent on the App Store, set your rules once, and pause the next time you reach for your phone.