A few things
you might be wondering.

Yes. New free users can create one blocking rule with app, category, and website selections, per-day and overnight schedules, and unlimited five-minute pauses. Pro adds multiple rules, instant Lockdown, Essentials Mode, Strict Mode, a daily pause allowance, and configuration backup and restore.

You can choose monthly Pro or a one-time lifetime purchase. Both include the same Pro features. Monthly Pro renews automatically until cancelled; lifetime Pro has no recurring fee. Current local prices are shown in the app.

Some earlier users retain access to Strict Mode, pause allowances, and backup and restore without Pro. Earlier lifetime purchases retain full paid access. The feature comparison on the homepage describes access for new users. Restore Purchases in Settings if a previous purchase is missing.

Lockdown is a Pro feature that immediately blocks the apps, categories, and websites selected in all enabled rules, even outside their scheduled hours. It uses your existing rule selections. Ending Lockdown returns blocking to your regular schedules.

With Essentials Mode, you choose individual apps that remain available, and other apps are blocked. Lockdown blocks the selections in your enabled rules instead. Essentials Mode is included with Pro and can be started manually or scheduled. Downtime stays available so you can end the mode.

Yes. Turn on Run on a schedule in Essentials Mode, then choose the days and time ranges. You can also start it manually. Scheduled Essentials Mode takes priority over regular blocking rules, which resume automatically afterward. Choose at least one and up to 50 individual apps to keep available; category and website selections do not count as allowed apps.

Strict Mode protects your existing rules and pause settings from immediate changes. When you request to turn Strict Mode off, a one-hour waiting period begins. Strict Mode is included with Pro for new users. It adds friction against impulsive changes; Screen Time permission remains under your control in iOS Settings.

Yes. A pause temporarily removes blocking for five minutes, then blocking resumes automatically. New free users have unlimited five-minute pauses. Pro lets you allow none, 1, 2, 3, 5, or unlimited pauses each day. The daily allowance cannot be changed while Strict Mode is enabled. Essentials Mode has its own End Essentials Mode control.

Choose days of the week and one or more time ranges for a rule. Times can differ by day and can run overnight, such as 22:00 to 07:00. Each range must be at least 15 minutes. Select at least one app, category, or website before saving. Pro supports multiple rules, subject to Apple’s Screen Time scheduling and selection limits.

Yes. Select apps, categories, and websites with Apple’s Screen Time picker and put them in the same rule. If you use both an app and its website, select both. Website blocking is enforced through Apple’s Screen Time controls.

No. Once Screen Time access is granted and a valid rule is enabled, iOS applies scheduled blocks even when Downtime is closed. Keep Screen Time permission enabled for blocking to work.

Pro includes configuration export and import. Export your setup as a JSON file and import it to restore your configuration. This is a manual file backup, not automatic cloud syncing. Configuration import is unavailable while Strict Mode is enabled.

Use Restore Purchases in Downtime’s Settings with the Apple Account used for the purchase. To manage or cancel monthly Pro, open your Apple Account subscriptions in iOS Settings. A lifetime purchase does not need to be renewed.

Your blocking selections, schedules, and rule names stay on your device. Optional pseudonymous product analytics and crash diagnostics are sent only if you choose Share Analytics. You can change this in Settings. There is no account, advertising, or cross-app tracking. You can also choose to send a diagnostic report with feedback. The privacy policy explains what each option includes.

Yes. Downtime supports iPhone and iPad running iOS or iPadOS 16 or later. Screen Time access is required on the device where you want blocking. Configuration backup and restore is separate from restoring your App Store purchase.

Apple’s Screen Time shield appears with Downtime’s branding instead of letting you use the blocked app. The same approach applies to selected websites. The shield is provided by Downtime; it is not a user-editable theme.