Torah Lock FAQ

Torah Lock is an iPhone app that guards your morning. Each day from 5:30 AM it blocks your most distracting apps until you complete a short flow of Shema and personalized Tehillim, then everything unlocks. Below are clear, concise answers to the questions people ask most.

Frequently asked questions

How does Torah Lock work?

Torah Lock is an iPhone app that blocks your chosen distracting apps each morning from 5:30 AM until you complete a short prayer flow. The flow is the Shema plus a few personalized Tehillim (Psalms) and takes under five minutes, after which your apps unlock for the day.

What apps can Torah Lock block?

Torah Lock can block any apps you select on your iPhone, such as social media, news, games, or email. It uses Apple's Screen Time and Family Controls frameworks, so you decide exactly which apps are paused each morning.

Is Torah Lock free?

Torah Lock is free to download and use, with an optional paid subscription for those who want to support the app. The subscription is managed through your Apple ID via RevenueCat.

What happens on Shabbat and holidays?

Torah Lock does not block any apps on Shabbat or major Jewish holidays. It automatically detects holy days by your location using the Hebcal API, and your streak is preserved so you are never penalized for resting.

Does Torah Lock collect my data or see which apps I use?

No. App-blocking enforcement is 100% on-device through Apple's Screen Time, Family Controls, and Managed Settings frameworks, and Torah Lock never collects or transmits which apps you use. It uses only anonymous analytics via PostHog, plus optional city-level location for accurate Shabbat times.

What prayers are included in Torah Lock?

The morning flow includes the Shema and a short set of personalized Tehillim (Psalms). Together they form a focused devotion you can complete in under five minutes before your apps unlock.

Can I choose which apps to block?

Yes. You pick the apps you find most distracting from your block list in the app, and only those apps are paused each morning. Because Torah Lock uses Apple's Screen Time framework, your selections stay private on your device.

What is the emergency unlock?

If you genuinely need a blocked app before the usual time, you can complete the short prayer flow at any moment to unlock immediately. Finishing the Shema and your personalized Tehillim, which takes under five minutes, unlocks all of your chosen apps for the rest of the day.

Is Torah Lock available on Android?

No. Torah Lock is currently an iPhone-only app because its blocking relies on Apple's Screen Time and Family Controls frameworks. There is no Android version at this time.

How long does the morning prayer flow take?

The morning flow takes under five minutes. You recite the Shema and a few personalized Tehillim, and as soon as you finish, your chosen apps unlock for the day.

What does personalized Tehillim mean?

Personalized Tehillim means the Psalms in your morning flow are matched to your current mood or spiritual state. You choose from a nine-state grid, and Torah Lock draws from a curated library of psalm segments to fit how you feel that morning.

When does the morning blocking start?

Blocking begins each morning at 5:30 AM and stays in place until you complete the prayer flow. Torah Lock also tracks your streak so you can build a consistent daily habit.