Every iPhone has Screen Time: it shows where your hours go and lets you set limits. On iOS 27, Apple reworked it into Time Allowances (daily time per category, like Social Media) and a Screen Time Schedule (windows like work or evening). On older versions, the same ideas are App Limits and Downtime.
ARCO is built on the same Apple framework. Your Screen Time data stays on your iPhone either way.
At a glance
| Screen Time | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | 14 days free, then one subscription | Free |
| Limit specific apps | Yes | Yes, mostly by category on iOS 27 |
| Schedules | Several Blocked Hours windows | Screen Time Schedule (Downtime before iOS 27) |
| Bypass | Counted breaks; strict mode can't be ended | Ignore Limit, unless a passcode is set |
| Focus sessions with timer | Yes | No |
| Day planner, habits, alarms | Yes | No |
| Reports | Focus, habits and screen time | Detailed screen time |
Details about other apps come from their App Store listings and help pages as of October 2026 and may change. Check the App Store for current prices in your country.
What Screen Time does well
- It's free and built in, and syncs across your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- Great reports: daily and weekly screen time, pickups and notifications.
- Strong for families: with Family Sharing, a parent holds the passcode, and that's hard to get around.
Where it falls short for adults
- "Ignore Limit" is one tap away unless you set a Screen Time passcode, and if you set it yourself, you know it.
- Category-based: limits work best on whole categories, not just the two apps that actually get you.
- No plan: it tells you what happened, but doesn't help you decide what the day should look like.
More detail: why Screen Time limits don't work and Downtime vs an app blocker.
What ARCO adds
- Pick exact apps to block, and leave everything else alone.
- Several Blocked Hours windows with their own times, days and number of breaks.
- Focus sessions with a timer on your Lock Screen, and strict mode that can't be ended early.
- A day planner with tasks, habits and wake-up alarms, so blocking follows your plan.
- Insights that put focus hours and habits next to screen time, week over week.
Which one should you use?
Stick with Screen Time if you mostly want to see your numbers, or someone else holds your passcode.
Add ARCO if you keep tapping through your own limits and want blocking that's tied to a planned day. They work fine together.