StepGate: Screen Time Control

Your apps, earned. StepGate locks Instagram, TikTok & any app you choose until you hit your daily step goal. Real Screen Time shields: no accounts, no tracking.

StepGate locks Instagram, TikTok and any distracting app until you hit your daily step goal. Walk your steps — your apps unlock.

No willpower required. StepGate uses Apple's Screen Time technology to put a real shield over the apps you choose. Not a reminder you can swipe away — an actual block that lifts the moment you've earned it.

HOW IT WORKS • Pick the apps that eat your day with Apple's Screen Time picker • Set a daily step goal (onboarding suggests one that fits your life) • Walk. Your steps count automatically via Apple Health • Hit the goal and every gated app unlocks for your unlock window • Fall short? They stay locked. That's the point.

A COACH, NOT A WARDEN • Personalized starting goal that ramps up gently, week by week • Rest days — pick the days that don't count against you • Bypass passes for the days life happens (limited per week) • Active hours — gate only during the hours you choose • Pause safety valve, because rigid systems get deleted

BUILT TO KEEP YOU GOING • Streaks, a 4-month heatmap, and weekly charts • Distance, calories and active-minutes stats • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets that show steps left to unlock • A goal editor that grows with you: 4k starter to 12k+ overachiever

PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No account. No sign-up. No server. • Your steps and app choices never leave your phone • Apple's Screen Time API means StepGate literally cannot see which apps you pick • No ads, no analytics, no tracking. Ever.

WHY STEPS? Because the cure for doomscrolling isn't another timer — it's going outside. StepGate turns the 10,000 steps you already meant to take into the key that opens your phone. Move more, scroll less, and let the streak do the motivating.

StepGate requires an iPhone with iOS 17 or later. Steps are read from Apple Health / Motion & Fitness (read-only). App blocking uses Apple's Family Controls framework with individual authorization — you managing yourself.