Step 1: Understand the impact of your screen time
Recognize the hidden cost of screen time on your sleep, focus, and wellbeing.
Reclaim your attention.
Understand the impact of screen time. Build healthier digital habits.
How it works
Start with awareness, then block distractions and build healthier habits that protect your attention.
Step 2: Protect your attention from distractions
Shield your attention by blocking your biggest digital distractions.
Step 3: Build healthier digital habits with schedules
Set repeatable focus windows that make healthier digital habits automatic.
Go deeper with Monk Mode
When you need non-negotiable focus, Monk Mode enforces full lock-in with no pauses or quick exits.
What changes when you reclaim your attention?
Healthier digital habits can improve how you think, work, and rest.
Better focus
Stay with one task longer without getting pulled into reflex checking.
Higher productivity
Do deeper work in less time by reducing interruption loops.
Better sleep
Lower evening stimulation and protect routines that help you rest.
Stronger cognitive clarity
Reduce mental clutter and support clearer thinking throughout the day.
What could you do instead of scrolling?
Small daily choices that build healthier digital habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hourglass?+−
Hourglass is a digital-wellbeing app that helps you reclaim your attention. It starts with awareness by showing how screen time affects your focus, sleep, and wellbeing, then helps you build healthier habits with app blocking, focus sessions, and schedules.
How does Hourglass protect my privacy?+−
Hourglass uses Apple's Screen Time API for monitoring and blocking. All processing happens entirely on your device—no app activity or browsing data ever leaves your phone. We take privacy seriously and do not collect or store your personal usage data.
Why is my estimated screen time inaccurate?+−
Screen time data comes directly from Apple's Screen Time system, which can occasionally have delays or gaps.
What devices and iOS versions does Hourglass support?+−
Hourglass requires iOS 17.0 or later and is compatible with all modern iPhone models. It's fully optimized to work seamlessly with Apple's Screen Time API.
Which apps can Hourglass block?+−
Hourglass can block any app on your device. You can create custom sessions, schedules, and rules for specific apps—or even block entire app categories to reduce temptation and stay focused.
How do I report a bug or request a feature?+−
You can report bugs or request new features by emailing hourglasslabs@outlook.com. We actively review all feedback and continuously improve the app based on user input.
Why do I need a screen time app?+−
Phone use can add up quickly without us noticing. A screen time app helps you understand its impact, set healthier boundaries, and build better habits over time. With consistent use, this can support better focus, better sleep, and more productive time.
Does Hourglass work for social media addiction?+−
Hourglass can help reduce compulsive social media use. You can block apps like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook during focus sessions, making it easier to interrupt automatic scrolling and build healthier digital habits.
Why aren't my selected apps blocked?+−
If a scheduled session is running but your selected apps aren't blocked, the schedule may need to be refreshed. Stop the current session, then go to Edit -> Update to reset the schedule. Once updated, app blocking should work as expected.
What is Monk Mode?+−
Monk Mode blocks selected apps and their notifications completely for the duration of a session. Once activated, there are no pauses or quick exits — helping you follow through on your intention without relying on willpower.
Reclaim your attention.
Understand the impact of screen time. Build healthier digital habits.