Christian App Blockers for iPhone, Compared
How to choose: Start with the moment you want to change. For four short daily prayer hours with your chosen apps paused until you pray, look at Pray Shield. For a prayer prompt before opening a chosen app, look at GraceLock or Pray First. If you want to pray once a day and then use your apps freely, PrayLock's Daily Devotion mode fits. If you want firm schedules or usage limits, Holy Focus or Prayer Lock are closer. If you want to earn screen time through faith habits, there's Bible Focus. If you want to read the Bible before your apps open, there are Bible Mode and BibleScroll. All of these apps are on iPhone. Only some are on Android, and they differ a lot in what's free.
We make Pray Shield, so we're not neutral. That's why every fact about another app below comes from its own App Store listing or official website, and every source is linked. Other apps’ details and prices reflect the sources checked on 5 October 2026. Pray Shield’s details reflect version 3.7, checked on 12 October 2026. They change and vary by country, so the price shown before you buy is the one that counts.
At a glance
| App | What happens when you open a chosen app | Uses Apple Screen Time | Free vs paid | US prices listed (checked 5 Oct 2026) | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pray Shield | Chosen apps rest until you pray at four daily prayer hours: Morning, Midday, Evening and optional Night, about 2–3 minutes each | Yes | App protection and four daily prayer hours are free. Each hour takes about 2–3 minutes. Optional Pray Shield Plus adds 10 guided prayers, a 3D Rosary, an expanded church year, Bible annotations and extra widgets. | Apple shows current purchase options before purchase | iPhone and iPad (iOS/iPadOS 17+) |
| PrayLock | A timed prayer in PrayLock (30 s by default) unlocks apps, either once a day or before each session | Yes | Free download. Many features need Pro | $4.99–$39.99 | iPhone (iOS 18+) |
| Pray Screen Time – Bible Focus | A prompt to pause and pray. You set how often | Not stated | App lock is listed as a paid feature | $7.99–$59.99 | iPhone (iOS 17+), Android |
| Holy Focus | A Bible verse, prayer and icon on blocked apps and websites, by time slots or usage limits | Yes | Subscription (Holy Focus PLUS) | $8.99–$59.99 | iPhone (iOS 18+), Android |
| Bible Mode | Unlock by scanning a printed Bible or doing a short verse reflection | Not stated | Free to use, optional purchases | $4.99–$59.99 | iPhone, iPad (iOS 17.6+) |
| GraceLock | A prayer prompt, then tap "I've Prayed" to continue | Yes | Free for up to 3 apps. Premium for unlimited apps | $4.99/week, $39.99/year | iPhone (iOS 26+) |
| Pray First | A prayer or Bible verse appears, then you decide. Weekly schedules | Not stated | Pro subscription | $4.99–$49.99 | iPhone (iOS 17+) |
| Bible Focus | Apps stay locked until you spend coins earned through prayer, quizzes or church check-ins | Yes | Subscription for all features | $4.99–$79.99 | iPhone (iOS 18+) |
| BibleScroll | Apps are blocked each day until you read the Bible (connects to YouVersion) | Not stated | Subscription after a 7-day trial | $9.99–$199.99 (includes donation tiers) | iPhone (iOS 18+), Android |
| Prayer Lock | Apps are shielded during your scheduled prayer times | Yes | In-app subscription | $4.99/week, $14.99/month | iPhone (iOS 17.6+) |
"Not stated" means the listing and website don't say whether Apple's Screen Time framework is used. It does not mean the app doesn't use it. Price ranges show the lowest and highest in-app purchase the App Store lists, which often include trial or offer versions.
Short notes on each app
Pray Shield. Pray Shield uses Apple Screen Time to pause your chosen apps at four daily prayer hours: Morning, Midday, Evening and optional Night. Your apps rest until you pray, and each hour takes about 2–3 minutes. Protection and prayer hours are free. Optional Pray Shield Plus adds 10 guided prayers, a 3D Rosary, an expanded church year, Bible annotations and extra widgets. You can pause protection for an hour, until morning or over the weekend. Platform note: the App Store lists iPhone and iPad support; there is no Android version.
PrayLock. PrayLock puts a "prayer shield" in front of the apps you choose. You pray through a short timer (30 seconds by default, adjustable from 5 seconds to 5 minutes) and can read three verses first. It has two modes, Daily Devotion and Mindful Moments, plus a swipeable Bible feed and a prayer list for loved ones. Its App Store listing is English only. More detail: Pray Shield vs PrayLock.
Pray Screen Time – Bible Focus. Prompts you to pause and pray when you open selected apps, and you can set how often. The App Store lists the app lock under paid features. It's also on Google Play. The iOS app was last updated in September 2025.
Holy Focus. Blocks apps and websites by time slot or usage limit and shows a verse, a prayer and a Christian icon. It has a daily prayer journey and tracks streaks. It's also on Android.
Bible Mode. It stands out with its unlock: scan a page of a printed Bible, or complete a short verse reflection. It also includes full Bible reading, widgets and a Quiet Time mode.
GraceLock. Its free tier covers up to 3 blocked apps with unlimited prayer unlocks. It needs iOS 26 or later.
Pray First. Shows a prayer or verse before blocked apps and adds schedules for each weekday, with a prayer journal and streaks.
Bible Focus. Turns screen time into a currency: you earn coins through faith habits and spend them to unlock apps.
BibleScroll. Blocks apps every day until you've read the Bible, and connects to the YouVersion Bible app.
Prayer Lock. It works on a schedule rather than at every app open. Apps are shielded during the prayer times you set.
How to choose: a short checklist
- The moment: Do you want something at every app open, once a day, or during set times?
- The feeling: Do you want a gentle pause you can continue past, or a firm lock you have to earn your way out of?
- What's free: What does the free tier really include? Check before you set it up.
- Your phone: Check the iOS version. Some apps need iOS 18 or iOS 26.
- Your household: If anyone uses Android, only a few of these apps work there.
- Your language: Check which languages the App Store lists.
- Privacy: Read the privacy policy, especially what happens to prayer text and your app choices.
- One week: Start with one or two apps for a week, then adjust.
Sources (other apps: 5 Oct 2026; Pray Shield: 12 Oct 2026)
Pray Shield: App Store · How it works PrayLock: App Store · praylock.com · FAQ Pray Screen Time – Bible Focus: App Store · Google Play Holy Focus: App Store · holyfocus.io · Google Play Bible Mode: App Store · biblemode.app GraceLock: App Store · Support page Pray First: App Store Bible Focus: App Store BibleScroll: App Store · Google Play Prayer Lock: App Store
App names are trademarks of their owners. Spotted an error? Email d.witko@icloud.com and we'll fix it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Christian app blocker?
It's an iPhone app that puts a moment of faith, such as a Bible verse, a prayer or Bible reading, in front of the apps you choose. Some pause you briefly, and others lock the app until you finish a step.
Do Christian app blockers use Apple Screen Time?
Pray Shield, PrayLock, Holy Focus, GraceLock, Bible Focus and Prayer Lock say so on their App Store page or website. For the others, the listing doesn't say.
Is there a free Christian app blocker for iPhone?
Several are free to download. GraceLock is free for up to 3 apps. In Pray Shield, app protection and four daily prayer hours are free. Each hour takes about 2–3 minutes. Optional Pray Shield Plus adds 10 guided prayers, a 3D Rosary, an expanded church year, Bible annotations and extra widgets. PrayLock is free to download, but many features need Pro. BibleScroll needs a subscription after a 7-day trial.
Which Christian app blockers work on Android?
Holy Focus, Pray Screen Time – Bible Focus and BibleScroll have Google Play listings. Pray Shield is listed for iPhone and iPad, while PrayLock is listed for iPhone.
Do these apps stop me from opening an app completely?
It depends on the app. Pray Shield keeps chosen apps paused at each prayer hour until you pray; you can also pause protection. GraceLock shows a prayer prompt before you continue. PrayLock unlocks after a timed prayer. Bible Focus asks you to spend earned coins. Holy Focus, Pray First and Prayer Lock work with schedules or limits.