App To Lock Apps While Studying iPhone: The Best Way To Block Distractions And Actually Focus – Here’s how to stay off TikTok, study smarter, and still keep your phone with you.

Stop Scrolling, Start Studying: The Real Fix For iPhone Distractions

So, you’re looking for an app to lock apps while studying iPhone style because TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube keep ruining your focus? Honestly, the best combo isn’t just blocking apps — it’s blocking distractions and turning your phone into a study weapon, which is where Flashrecall) comes in. Use Screen Time or Focus Mode to lock your distracting apps, then use Flashrecall as your “study-only” app so your phone stops being a problem and actually helps you learn faster. Flashrecall lets you create flashcards instantly from notes, photos, PDFs, and more, and uses spaced repetition so you remember stuff without cramming. Set it up once, and every time you pick up your phone, you’re nudged to study instead of scroll.

Step 1: Use Your iPhone’s Built‑In Tools To Lock Apps While Studying

Before downloading anything, you already have a decent “app to lock apps while studying iPhone” built in: Screen Time and Focus Mode. Here’s the quick setup so you don’t have to dig around menus forever.

A. Use App Limits To Lock Specific Apps

This is perfect if you want to block TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, games, etc. during study time.

1. Open Settings → Screen Time

2. Tap App Limits → Add Limit

3. Choose the categories or specific apps (e.g., Social, Games, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)

4. Set a tiny limit (like 1 minute) or schedule when they’re blocked

5. Turn on Block at End of Limit

Now, once you hit that limit, those apps are basically locked. You can override it with a passcode, but if you’re serious, give the passcode to a friend/parent or make it something you won’t easily remember.

B. Use Focus Mode For “Study Only” Time

Focus Mode is nicer if you want a “study bubble” where only certain apps and people can bother you.

1. Go to Settings → Focus

2. Tap + → create a Custom focus (call it “Study”)

3. Under Allowed Notifications:

• Allow only important people (family, teacher, etc.)
• Allow only study apps like Flashrecall, Notes, Books, etc.

4. Under Home Screen:

• Hide distracting Home Screens
• Show only a page with your study apps

5. Under Schedule:

• Set your usual study times (e.g., 7–9 PM)

When “Study” Focus is on, all your usual distraction apps are basically invisible.

Step 2: Turn Your Phone Into a Study Device With Flashrecall

Okay, you’ve locked or hidden your distractions. Now what? You need something actually useful to do on your phone while you’re in “study mode”.

That’s where Flashrecall) is clutch. Instead of your iPhone being this black hole of doom scrolling, it becomes your flashcard machine + memory coach.

Why Flashrecall Works So Well For Focused Studying

Here’s what makes it different from just “another flashcard app”:

• Instant flashcards from anything
• Take a photo of your textbook or handwritten notes → Flashrecall turns it into flashcards
• Import PDFs, paste text, use audio, or even YouTube links
• You can still create cards manually if you like full control
• Built‑in spaced repetition (so you don’t forget)
• Flashrecall automatically schedules reviews for you
• You get study reminders when it’s time to review
• You don’t have to remember when to study — the app does it for you
• Active recall baked in
• You see a question / front of card → you try to remember the answer
• Then you flip and rate how hard it was
• That’s active recall + spaced repetition = the combo that actually sticks stuff in your brain
• Works offline
• On the bus, in a library with bad Wi‑Fi, in class — you’re good
• AI chat with your flashcards
• Stuck on a concept? You can chat with the flashcard to get more explanation
• Great when a definition is too vague and you need it broken down
• Free to start, fast, and modern
• No clunky old-school UI
• Works on iPhone and iPad, perfect if you switch between devices

And yes, it’s perfect for languages, medicine, exams, school subjects, business, random trivia — literally anything you want to remember.

How To Combine App Locking + Flashrecall For Maximum Focus

Here’s a simple setup that makes your iPhone go from distraction trap to study buddy.

1. Create a “Study” Focus Mode

• Only allow:
• Flashrecall
• Notes / Notion / GoodNotes (if you use them)
• Calculator, Books, maybe Safari (if you need research)
• Hide all other home screen pages except one with your study apps

So when you turn on Study Focus, your phone basically becomes:

> “Notes + Flashcards + Calculator” and nothing else.

2. Make Flashrecall Your Default Study App

Whenever you sit down to study, open Flashrecall) first.

Use it to:

• Turn today’s class notes into flashcards
• Snap a photo of the whiteboard or slides
• Paste key points from your PDF or textbook
• Create quick cards manually for formulas, vocab, dates, definitions

Now, whenever your brain drifts and you instinctively grab your phone, instead of TikTok, you see Flashrecall and your study deck.

3. Use Short, Focused Sessions

You don’t have to grind for hours. Try this pattern:

• 25 minutes:
• Study normally (reading, watching lectures, doing problems)
• 5–10 minutes:
• Turn that material into Flashrecall cards
• Quickly review the new deck

Over time, Flashrecall will keep resurfacing the important cards automatically with spaced repetition. You’ll remember more with less last-minute panic.

“But I Really Want An App That Hard-Locks Everything…”

If you’re the type who will always override Screen Time limits, here’s what you can do:

1. Make Screen Time Annoying To Bypass

• Set an App Limit for social + games
• Use a Screen Time Passcode that:
• You give to a parent/partner/friend
• Or make it something long and random and write it down somewhere not easily accessible

Now, overriding the limit becomes annoying enough that you might think twice.

2. Use Website Limits Too

If you get distracted in Safari:

• Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions
• Limit adult content or specific websites (YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, etc.)

That way, even if you don’t open the app, the website versions are also blocked.

3. Pair It With a “Positive Habit” App

The trick isn’t just blocking — it’s replacing.

When you feel the urge to scroll, tap Flashrecall instead and review a few cards.

Over time your brain starts linking “bored → open Flashrecall → feel productive” instead of “bored → doom scroll for an hour”.

How Flashrecall Beats Just Using A Simple Blocker

A lot of people search for an app to lock apps while studying on iPhone and think blocking alone will fix everything. But here’s the problem:

• A pure blocker app =
• You’re less distracted, but… what do you actually do with that focus?
• Blocker + Flashrecall =
• Distractions gone
• Your phone becomes a memory machine

Flashrecall doesn’t just sit there; it actively helps you:

• Turn lectures into cards
• Turn PDFs or screenshots into cards
• Learn languages vocab with spaced repetition
• Drill exam formulas until they’re automatic
• Chat with tricky concepts until they actually make sense

Instead of your phone being the enemy, it becomes part of your study system.

Example Setups For Different Types Of Students

For High School / Uni Students

• Use Focus Mode during:
• Homework time
• Exam revision blocks
• Use Flashrecall for:
• Biology definitions
• History dates & events
• Math formulas
• Language vocab & grammar rules

For Med / Nursing / Pharmacy Students

• Heavy content? Perfect for flashcards.
• Use Flashrecall to:
• Turn lecture slides and PDFs into flashcards
• Drill drug names, mechanisms, side effects
• Review anatomy, pathology, etc. with spaced repetition

For Language Learners

• Use Flashrecall to:
• Save new words and phrases from books, shows, or YouTube
• Add audio to cards so you can hear pronunciation
• Chat with your cards when you don’t understand a phrase

And with Focus Mode on, you’re not tempted to switch back to social media mid-session.

Quick Setup Checklist

If you want a simple “do this now” list, here you go:

1. Download Flashrecall on your iPhone:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

2. Create a “Study” Focus Mode:

• Allow only Flashrecall + essential study apps
• Hide other Home Screens

3. Set Screen Time App Limits:

• Limit social + games with “Block at End of Limit”

4. Build Your First Deck In Flashrecall:

• Import a PDF or snap a photo of your notes
• Or create 10–20 cards manually for your next test

5. Turn On Study Focus Whenever You Study:

• Phone = only study tools
• No random notifications pulling you away

Final Thoughts

You don’t just need an app to lock apps while studying on iPhone — you need a setup that removes distractions and gives you something actually useful to do instead.

Use Screen Time + Focus Mode to block the junk, and let Flashrecall) handle the learning side with instant flashcards, spaced repetition, and smart reminders.

Your phone can either wreck your focus or quietly help you crush your exams — it’s all about how you set it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest way to create flashcards?

Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.

Is there a free flashcard app?

Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.

How do I start spaced repetition?

You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.

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