Frequently Asked Questions

Prayer Pause helps you manage your screen time around prayer. It blocks distracting apps during salah times, offers mindful interventions (dhikr, Quran reading, an Islamic quiz, reflection, and du'a) when you reach for blocked apps, and tracks your consistency with streaks and a Sabr Score.

Prayer Pause uses Apple's Screen Time API to temporarily block distracting apps during prayer times. You select which apps to block, and they become inaccessible during the prayer window you set.

When you try to open a blocked app, Prayer Pause offers a meaningful activity instead of just locking you out. Options include a dhikr counter, Quran reading, an Islamic quiz, a moment of reflection, and du'a. Complete the activity and the app unlocks.

Screen Time access is required by Apple for any app blocking functionality. This permission allows Prayer Pause to manage app restrictions during prayer times. The blocking is handled on your device by Apple's frameworks, not on our servers.

Prayer times are calculated using established Islamic calculation methods (ISNA, Muslim World League, etc.) based on your location. You can choose the method that matches your local mosque or preference.

Guardian Mode uses background location updates to keep your prayer times, widgets, and blocking schedules accurate while you travel, so everything stays in sync as your location changes.

Streaks track your consecutive days of completing all prayers with your phone blocked. You earn protective passes (hearts) as you build your streak. Using an emergency unblock costs one heart.

Yes! Go to Settings, then Apps to Block, and select the specific apps you want blocked during prayer times. You can update this list anytime.

Make sure Location Services is enabled for Prayer Pause (Settings, then Privacy, then Location Services). Widgets need location access to show accurate prayer times.

Go to Settings, then Prayer Times, then Calculation Method. You can choose from various methods or use Auto-detect based on your region.

Prayer Pause is free to download with basic prayer times and Qibla compass. Premium features, including app blocking, mindful interventions, and streak tracking, are available through an optional subscription.

Prayer Pause is designed to be lightweight. Location is only used when needed to calculate prayer times, and the app uses Apple's efficient background refresh system. Most users see minimal battery impact.

Prayer Pause requires iOS 17 or later. Sajda Mode and AlarmKit-based Prayer Alarms require iOS 26.

Go to Settings, then Reset All Data, to delete all your local data including prayer logs, streaks, and preferences. If you use iCloud sync, you can also remove your data from iCloud through your device's iCloud settings.

No. App blocking runs entirely on your device through Apple's Screen Time and Family Controls API, so Prayer Pause never sees which apps you choose to block or your screen time data. The app uses anonymous analytics to improve the experience, and the Meta ad-attribution SDK only runs if you opt in through Apple's App Tracking Transparency prompt.

You pick the distracting apps you want to step away from, and Prayer Pause blocks them automatically during the five daily prayer windows. You can also create custom schedules for Jummah, Tahajjud, Taraweeh, and the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan, or turn on Brick Mode for all-day focus when you need a longer break from your phone.

No. Prayer Pause works fully on your iPhone, and no Apple Watch or other device is required. If you want your settings and streak history to follow you to a new iPhone, you can turn on optional iCloud sync, but it is never required to use the app.

Yes. You stay in control the whole time. The blocking only covers the apps you selected, so calls, messages, maps, and anything you did not add stay available. If you genuinely need a blocked app, you can unblock it, though doing so during an active prayer window uses one of your three protective streak passes so your progress is gently protected.