Earn screen time by completing chores.

Applowance is in public beta through Apple's TestFlight. Request an invite with your email address and we'll send you a TestFlight link. You'll need the free TestFlight app and an iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 or later. Beta builds are the same app we're preparing for the App Store, so what you tell us shapes the release.

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.

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.

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.

The Free plan supports up to 2 children and 1 parent. If you need more, Premium ($4.99/mo or $49.99/yr) and Lifetime ($99.99 one-time) both support unlimited children and unlimited parents. 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.

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.

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.

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. Premium adds extras like unlimited seats, custom rewards, allowance tracking, and the family activity log, but the fundamentals work for every family, no credit card required.

Applowance has three tiers. Free gives you nearly the full chore-to-screen-time experience for up to 2 children and 1 parent, including real app blocking, sync, notifications, streaks, bonus time, templates, weekly summaries, and usage reports. Premium ($4.99/mo) adds unlimited children, unlimited parent accounts, custom rewards with a reward store, allowance tracking, and the family activity log. Lifetime ($99.99) gives you everything in Premium with a single one-time purchase and no recurring charges.

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade at any time from the Settings screen inside the app. When you upgrade, you get immediate access to new features. When you downgrade, your current plan stays active until the end of the billing period. All subscription changes are handled through Apple's App Store, so you can also manage your subscription in your iPhone's Settings under Subscriptions.

Your data is never deleted when you downgrade. Premium-only data like custom rewards, allowance history, and the family activity log is preserved -- you just won't be able to access those tools until you upgrade again. If you downgrade to Free and have more than 2 children, existing children remain in your family but you won't be able to add new ones until you upgrade or reduce to 2.

Yes. Premium offers annual billing at $49.99/year instead of $4.99/month, saving $9.89 per year. You can switch between monthly and annual billing through the App Store.

No. App blocking through iOS Screen Time APIs, the chore-to-screen-time loop, cross-device sync, and push notifications are all part of the Free plan — and the fundamentals will always be free. You never need to pay to enforce screen time limits. Premium unlocks extras like unlimited seats, custom rewards, allowance tracking, and the family activity log.