Digital Wellbeing: Disconnect

Discipline is giving yourself no choice. The best way to beat screen addiction is no access at all. Create a hard rule to put a friend in between you and addictive apps.

Most app blockers fail for the same reason: they trust you to stop yourself.

But research shows people are significantly more likely to break a habit when someone else is involved. Disconnect App is built on that insight. You set the rules. A trusted person holds the key. When you try to unblock a blocked app, they decide — not you.

No bypass. No weak moments. Just a system that works when willpower doesn't.

HOW IT WORKS

Choose the apps you want to block and when. Then pick your lock level:

Soft Lock — unblock instantly, but tap through a confirmation first. Enough friction to break the reflex. Medium Lock — wait 5 minutes before access is granted. Enough time to actually reconsider. Hard Lock — you cannot unblock it yourself. Your buddy gets a notification and decides whether to let you in. No workarounds. No escape hatch.

THE BUDDY SYSTEM

This is what makes Disconnect App different from every other screen time blocker.

You choose someone you trust — a friend, a partner, anyone. When you try to open a hard-locked app, they receive a notification and approve or deny in seconds. It's not surveillance. It's accountability. One person who steps in when your willpower gives out.

Your buddy never sees which apps you use or how long you spend on them. They simply get asked: yes or no?

WHAT'S FREE

· 1 rule · 1 buddy · All three lock levels including hard lock · No time limit — it's yours to keep

DISCONNECT PRO

· Unlimited rules · Multiple buddies · More features coming

PRIVACY & LEGAL

Disconnect App uses Apple's Screen Time API. The apps you choose to block never leave your device — we never see them. Only the minimum data needed to run the buddy system is stored: your display name, buddy relationships, and unlock requests. We do not sell your data.

Privacy Policy: https://disconnectapp.co/privacy Terms of Service: https://disconnectapp.co/terms