Introducing Applowance

Earn screen time by completing chores.

Tie real iOS app blocking directly to chore completion. Free for every family.

Coming Soon to the App Store See how it works
Applowance child dashboard showing chore list and 45 minutes available Applowance child dashboard showing chore list and 45 minutes available

Simple by design

Three steps to screen time they've earned

1
assignment

Parent assigns chores

Create chores like "Make bed" or "Do homework." Set a screen time reward in minutes for each one.

2
task_alt

Children complete and submit

Children mark chores done on their device. You get a push notification instantly to approve or deny.

3
timer

Earn real screen time

You approve, minutes are added. Apps unlock. When time runs out, everything locks again. Automatically.

What makes it work

Every tool a parent needs. Every incentive a child wants.

lock

This app is locked

Complete your chores to earn screen time!

Open Applowance
lock

Real app blocking. Not just a reminder.

Applowance uses iOS Screen Time APIs to lock apps and websites. When screen time runs out, the apps go dark.

  • Block individual apps or entire categories
  • Custom shield screen shows when apps are locked
  • System-level enforcement — no workarounds

Parent

3

pending

Child

45

minutes

cloud_sync

One family. Every device. Always in sync.

Firebase-powered real-time sync means when you approve a chore on your phone, your child's balance updates instantly on theirs.

  • Real-time sync across all family devices
  • Works even when devices are offline
  • Parent and child always stay in agreement
bed

Make bed

Daily

+10m
menu_book

Do homework

Daily

+20m
pets

Walk the dog

Daily

+15m
restaurant

Clean dishes

Weekly

+15m
assignment

Chores that actually get done.

Create one-time, daily, or weekly chores with custom screen time rewards. Children see exactly what they need to do and what they'll earn.

  • One-time, daily, and weekly recurrence
  • Per-chore minute rewards you control
  • Full approval workflow with instant notifications
18:42 remaining
Screen Time Active
timer

A countdown they can see. A limit they can trust.

When children start a session, a countdown timer begins. They see every second. When it hits zero, the apps lock. Automatically. Every time.

  • Visual circular countdown timer
  • 5-minute warning before time runs out
  • Auto-locks even when the app is in the background
A Applowance now

Chore Completed

Emma completed "Make bed" and is waiting for your approval.

Approve Deny
A Applowance 2m ago

Session Ending Soon

Emma's screen time ends in 5 minutes.

notifications

Be the first to know.

The moment your child submits a chore, you get a push notification. Approve or deny directly from the notification.

  • Approve or deny right from the lock screen
  • Instant delivery via Apple Push Notifications
  • Children get notified the moment you decide

Enter your PIN

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
person

Every child, their own experience.

Each child gets their own profile secured by a PIN. Parents manage everything. Children see only their chores and their time.

  • Secure PIN per child profile
  • Seamless switching between children on shared devices
  • Each child has their own balance and chores

See it in action

Real screens from the app

Captured straight from Applowance running in demo mode on iPhone.

Child dashboard with chore list, available time, and 8-day streak badge Child dashboard with chore list, available time, and 8-day streak badge
Children see their chores, balance, and streak.
Screen-time countdown ring showing 16 minutes remaining Screen-time countdown ring showing 16 minutes remaining
Earned screen time, on a visible countdown.
Parent dashboard with pending approvals and per-child summaries Parent dashboard with pending approvals and per-child summaries
One parent screen, the whole family.
Child detail with streak heat map, bonus awards, and recent activity Child detail with streak heat map, bonus awards, and recent activity
Every child's progress at a glance.
Weekly summary chart showing chores completed and minutes earned per child Weekly summary chart showing chores completed and minutes earned per child
Weekly recap of what's working.
handshake Applowance Promise

The core experience is free. Forever.

We believe the chore-to-screen-time loop should work for every family, not just those who can afford a subscription. These features will always be free.

Because building responsibility shouldn't cost a thing.

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Core chore-to-screen-time loop

Create chores, earn minutes, unlock apps. The full cycle, always free.

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Real app blocking

FamilyControls integration that actually enforces limits. Not a suggestion.

check

Cross-device sync

Your whole family stays connected in real time across every device.

check

Push notifications

Know instantly when your child completes a chore. Approve from anywhere.

check

Up to 2 children

Enough for most families. No credit card, no trial, no catch.

Questions & answers

Everything parents want to know

Can my child get around the app blocking?

No. Applowance uses iOS Screen Time APIs, including FamilyControls and ManagedSettings. Restrictions are applied at the OS level through a ManagedSettingsStore, which cannot be bypassed by children from their device. When screen time runs out, the DeviceActivity monitor extension automatically re-applies restrictions within seconds.

Do I need to install it on both parent and child devices?

Yes, but it's one free download that works on both. Parents sign in with their Apple account and create chores. Children join the family using a 6-character invite code on their own device — or a parent can add them directly on a shared device.

What happens when screen time runs out?

When the countdown reaches zero, the DeviceActivity monitor extension automatically re-applies app restrictions. Blocked apps display a custom shield screen that encourages your child to complete more chores. This happens even if the app is in the background — it's enforced at the system level. A 5-minute warning notification fires before the session ends so there are no surprises.

How many children can I add?

Applowance supports up to 2 children and 1 parent. Every child gets their own profile, chore list, and screen time balance. Children can join from their own device using an invite code or be added by a parent on a shared device.

What data does Applowance collect?

Applowance stores only what it needs to function: chore names, completion status, screen time balances, and family member names. Parents sign in with their Apple account for cross-device access. Children join anonymously via invite code — no email or password needed for them. We don't sell data, we don't run ads, and we don't track your children's browsing activity.

Does this work on iPad?

Yes. Applowance runs natively on both iPhone and iPad with iOS 18 or later, and your family's data syncs automatically across all your devices.

What is the "Applowance Promise"?

The Applowance Promise is our commitment that the core features will always be free: the chore-to-screen-time loop, real app blocking via FamilyControls, cross-device sync, push notifications, streaks, templates, summaries, usage reports, and support for 1 parent and up to 2 children. The fundamentals work for every family, no credit card required.

Do I need a subscription to block apps?

No. App blocking through iOS Screen Time APIs, the chore-to-screen-time loop, cross-device sync, and push notifications are all free — and the fundamentals will always be free. You never need to pay to enforce screen time limits.

Your family's screen time, reimagined.

Coming soon to the App Store. Free to use. Real results.