What is Read to Unlock used for?

Read to Unlock is an iPhone app that keeps chosen apps locked until you read book pages, earning screen time after a quick comprehension question. It is a good fit for reading more before opening social apps and replacing a plain app blocker with an earn-first system.

Is Read to Unlock free?

Yes. Read to Unlock has a free plan.

Is Read to Unlock open source?

No. Read to Unlock is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Productivity category, open-source options include Foqos, NetNewsWire and Sioyek.

What are some alternatives to Read to Unlock?

Read to Unlock competes with Freedom and Forest.

Read to Unlock: features, pricing and alternatives

About Read to Unlock

Read to Unlock is an iOS app that makes your distracting apps conditional on reading. You scan a page of any book, answer one quick comprehension check and earn minutes of screen time, for example ten pages earning twenty minutes. Your locked apps open automatically while credit remains and lock again when the balance reaches zero.

Blocking uses Apple's Screen Time API with no VPN or battery drain, and runs in the background without timers. A flexible mode allows emergency overrides, while Strict Mode locks fully. The app tracks pages read, minutes earned and streaks, and includes a reading companion called Octopy that grows as you finish pages. The developer states that activity stays on the device and no data is sold.

Key features

Scan a book page to earn screen time
Comprehension check for each reading session
Blocks chosen apps with Apple Screen Time
Flexible and Strict modes
Pages read, minutes and streak tracking
Octopy reading companion

Good fit for

Reading more before opening social apps
Replacing a plain app blocker with an earn-first system

Tags: screen-time; app-blocker; reading; ios; habit; books

Read to Unlock: questions and answers

What is Read to Unlock used for?: Read to Unlock is an iPhone app that keeps chosen apps locked until you read book pages, earning screen time after a quick comprehension question. It is a good fit for reading more before opening social apps and replacing a plain app blocker with an earn-first system.
Is Read to Unlock free?: Yes. Read to Unlock has a free plan.
Is Read to Unlock open source?: No. Read to Unlock is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Productivity category, open-source options include Foqos, NetNewsWire and Sioyek.
What are some alternatives to Read to Unlock?: Read to Unlock competes with Freedom and Forest.