Block specific apps on iphone

[Ziggyj32]

Hi All

Hope you are all well. I am really struggling with a specific app and am very much addicted to it (gaming app). I am actively seeking cbt and other help to address it. I am just wondering if there is an actual technical way I can block a specific app from being downloaded from the apple store?

I have tried screen time and have had my iphone locked to disallow installing apps but I can just restore the iphone using findmyiphone and the screen time is reset. Is there any way of using screen time to also block iphones from being restored? Or to require a screen time password before an Iphone is restored? Any help on this would be much appreciated

thanks Z

 

[Apple_Robert]

You can go into your purchases and hide any of your purchased apps from showing as being available for download.

If you can't exercise any personal control, sell your phone and get a flip phone. That will solve your problem the hard route way.

 

[Ziggyj32]

Hey @Apple_Robert thanks for your reply. I could still search for the app in the app store & download it if i hid it in the purchased apps view right?

I am trying to figure out if there is a way to restrict findmyiphone or any type of iphone reset using screen time. Findmy could be accessed through a browser and the phone erased remotely or else it can be accessed on the phone itself. If findmyiphone is disabled, then the phone can just be reset by plugging it into a mac.

Surely apple have a way of ensuring iphone resets are blocked, since otherwise having restrictions set is futile since the phone can just be reset and the restrictions removed.

Any help or advice from anyone would be hugely appreciated.

 

[gwang73]

Hey @Apple_Robert thanks for your reply. I could still search for the app in the app store & download it if i hid it in the purchased apps view right?

I am trying to figure out if there is a way to restrict findmyiphone or any type of iphone reset using screen time. Findmy could be accessed through a browser and the phone erased remotely or else it can be accessed on the phone itself. If findmyiphone is disabled, then the phone can just be reset by plugging it into a mac.

Surely apple have a way of ensuring iphone resets are blocked, since otherwise having restrictions set is futile since the phone can just be reset and the restrictions removed.

Any help or advice from anyone would be hugely appreciated.

I read a different thread about someone else having a similar issue so you're not alone. What they did was have their phone/Apple ID managed by someone they trust through Family Share and Screen Time restrictions. In this scenario, they would be the Adult and you would be added to their family share as a child. They can then restrict app downloading on your phone.

As far as I know, you won't be able to do a reset or erase your phone to remove the restrictions. They would have to remove you from the family for you to regain full control of your phone again.

 

[Ziggyj32]

Hey gwang thanks a lot for getting back to me. Are you sure a phone reset is not possible in that scenario? I have family sharing set up now with a trusted friend but unfortunately I was still able to reset the phone using findmyiphone and remove the screen time restrictions. Does the family administrator have to have physical access to the phone or can they enable screen time remotely from their account? Is there any way they can prevent a phone from being reset?

edit: I am really struggling with this so if anyone knows how this can work it would be really appreciated. i have been in therapy and recovery groups but I just need a month or so where the temptation is not in my hand so that i can do the work to get free from it. Even if anyone knows if it is easier to restrict specific apps using an android phone I might be willing to switch off iphone. I find it so frustrating that there is no way they can agree to restrict specific apps

 

[adib]

Some kind of MDM tools? I know those can be used to install/uninstall apps; but usually used in a corporate settings.

 

[Ziggyj32]

Hey, I really appreciate everyones replies, thank you all. I contacted apple support and with family sharing the best that can be done is to ask the parent when you want to buy an app or service, free apps (such as the one I am debilitatingly addicted to, can not be controlled by the parent via the family sharing, but rather must be restricted within screen time. However screen time can easily be removed by resetting the phone via findmyiphone or by plugging it into the mac. I guess they dont want people constantly asking them to block and then unblock specific apps, but i would at this stage be willing to accept the responsibility of living with the blocked app on my phone with the cost of buying a new phone as the barrier, i guess it is not to be. Unless anyone knows a way of restricting iphone resets / restores. I know it is probably something I need to tackle with CBT or other therapy.

I have tried ourpact and other services but again they can just be removed by reseting the phone. I have been considering moving to an Android to see if it is possible on an android so if anyone knows anything about that or any other method that would be much appreciated.

 

[gwang73]

I think the only option is your friend to setup a MDM profile for your device. MDM can prevent you from resetting your phone. MDM is typically used in corporate or education environments and can be complex to implement. I don't know what it would take to setup MDM this way but you or your friend would need to be IT savvy.

Here's the list of restrictions that MDM can support: https://support.apple.com/guide/mdm/restrictions-for-iphone-and-ipad-mdm0f7dd3d8/web