Session-based app limits for iPhone
Short sessions,
real breaks.
höruf gives you session-based limits with smart cooldowns powered by Apple's Screen Time APIs. Start a session when you first open an app, get gentle reminders, then enjoy a break.
No accounts. No tracking. Works on-device.
Session-based limits
Set how long you can use selected apps per session (default 5 minutes). A session only starts when you actually open the app.
Smart cooldowns
After hitting your limit, apps are shielded for a cooldown (default 15 minutes). Optionally randomize to avoid habits.
On-device & private
Uses Apple's FamilyControls, DeviceActivity and ManagedSettings. No accounts, no analytics, no ads—your settings stay on your device.
Pick what to manage
Select individual apps, categories or web domains to include in sessions and cooldowns.
Gentle reminders
Optional notifications let you know when one minute remains in your session before shielding starts.
Resilient by design
Session and cooldown state persists across relaunches and device reboots.
How it works
Start when you start
höruf detects the first time you open a selected app and begins a session window at that moment.
Track actual use
Foreground time is counted inside the session window until your limit is reached.
Cooldown enforces breaks
When you hit the limit, selected apps are shielded for your cooldown. A new session can start only after it ends.
Built with Apple's FamilyControls, DeviceActivity, and ManagedSettings. No workarounds or private APIs.
Ready to take better breaks?
Download höruf and start using session-based limits today.
Works on iPhone with Screen Time enabled.