Protect your focus

A little harder to give in.

Keep your focus session on track with two optional protections. Set them up once, then check that they work on your iPhone.

Which method should I use?

iOS 26.4 or newer → Start with a Screen Time passcode.
This is the simpler option for protecting TezBlock’s Screen Time permission. Follow method 1, then check that changing access asks for the separate Screen Time code.

Older than iOS 26.4 → Use the shortcut.
Follow method 2 to return to TezBlock when you open Settings during a session.

You can also use the shortcut on newer iOS if the passcode check doesn’t work, or if you want Settings to redirect during a session. The passcode protects permission changes; it doesn’t block Settings itself.

Find your version in Settings → General → About → iOS Version.

Method 01 · iOS 26.4 or newer

Protect Screen Time access.

Use a Screen Time passcode that is different from your iPhone unlock code. For extra accountability, ask someone you trust to set and keep it.

  1. Check TezBlock’s access. Open Settings → Screen Time → Apps with Screen Time Access. Make sure TezBlock is on.
  2. Lock Screen Time settings. On the Screen Time page, scroll down and tap Lock Screen Time Settings, below Apps With Screen Time Access. If your version shows Manage Screen Time instead, open it to find Lock Screen Time Settings.
  3. Set the code and recovery. Enter a separate four-digit code twice. Set up recovery using an Apple Account you or your trusted person can reliably access. If you can recover it yourself, you can also reset it yourself. Don’t skip recovery or use an account nobody can access.
  4. Enable restrictions. In Screen Time, open Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn them on.
  5. Check the protection. Go back to Apps with Screen Time Access and try changing TezBlock’s permission. It should ask for the Screen Time passcode. Cancel without turning access off.
Only seeing Face ID or your iPhone unlock code?

The passcode protection isn’t working on your setup. Keep TezBlock enabled and use the automation below. Settings labels and behavior vary by iOS version; repeat this check after updates.

This protects permission changes; it doesn’t block the Settings app. For a child managed through Family Sharing, follow Apple’s instructions on the parent or organizer’s device.

Apple’s Screen Time passcode instructions ↗ · Passcode recovery ↗

Method 02 · Shortcuts automation

Make the detour less tempting.

TezBlock App Block checks whether a focus session is active. If it is, it opens TezBlock. During a break or with no active session, it does nothing. An automation runs that check whenever you open an app you choose.

Download TezBlock App Block ↓

The downloadable shortcut requires TezBlock 1.0.5 or later. Version 1.0.5 is currently awaiting App Store approval. Open this page on your iPhone with a compatible version installed. Save the file to Files, then tap it to open in Apple’s Shortcuts app. Review the actions and tap Add Shortcut. If importing isn’t available, use the manual recipe below.

When does it send me back?

The automation checks every time Settings opens. An active focus session sends you back to TezBlock. With no session, or during a break, Settings stays open. Importing the shortcut alone does not enable this—you also need the automation below.

  1. Import TezBlock App Block. Add the download above to Shortcuts. If you imported it from TezBlock, stay in Shortcuts; there’s no need to reopen it. The in-app import button opens a share sheet: swipe across the app icons and tap More to find Shortcuts. If it isn’t there, choose Save to Files, then tap the saved file in Files.
  2. Find Automation. From All Shortcuts, tap the back arrow to Library, then Automation. On older layouts, use the Automation tab at the bottom.

If + opens a shortcut editor

  1. Add the trigger. Tap +, then the Automation category in the action picker. Scroll to Apps → App.
  2. Choose Settings. Tap the blue App field, search for Settings and select it. Leave the trigger set to Opened. Don’t select TezBlock itself.
  3. Check that it’s enabled. Tap the arrow beside Opened and make sure Automation is on.
  4. Add the action. In the action search field, search for Run Shortcut and add it. Tap the blue Shortcut field and select TezBlock App Block. Don’t select Ask Each Time.
  5. Save. Tap the back arrow. The Automation list should show When Settings is opened with its switch on.
If + opens a Personal Automation picker
  1. Choose App, select Is Opened and Run Immediately.
  2. Tap Choose, select Settings, then Done → Next.
  3. Select TezBlock App Block. If a blank editor appears, add Run Shortcut and choose TezBlock App Block.

Allow it once. Then test both states.

  1. Allow the first run. Open Settings. If iOS asks to allow TezBlock to run actions, tap Allow.
  2. Session running. Start a short TezBlock session, then open Settings. It should send you back to TezBlock.
  3. Session stopped. Stop the session, then open Settings. It should stay open. Also check that Settings stays open during a break.
  4. Protect your setup. Once tested, add Shortcuts to each profile’s blocked apps. For an allow-list profile, leave it off the allowed list. Test again with that profile active.
What if I tapped Don’t Allow?

The shortcut cannot complete its permission-dependent action, so don’t rely on the redirect yet. Open Shortcuts and run TezBlock App Block again. Allow access if prompted, then repeat the active-session test. If no prompt appears or an error remains, contact support with the exact message.

Build the shortcut yourself

Create a shortcut named TezBlock App Block with these actions:

  1. Check if TezBlock Session is Active — search for TezBlock in the action picker. Turn off Show When Run if shown.
  2. If the result is true.
  3. Inside that branch: Open App → TezBlock.
  4. Leave Otherwise empty, then End If.

This is also the complete logic of the download. It doesn’t send your activity to a server or change your passcode.

What are the limits?

The selected app may appear briefly before the redirect. Personal automations can be disabled, and this doesn’t replace TezBlock’s normal Screen Time blocking. iOS requires you to create the automation yourself; TezBlock can’t silently install it or set a passcode.

To remove it, end your session, open Shortcuts → Automation, and disable or delete the automation you created.

A quick check before you rely on it.

If the action is missing, update and open TezBlock once, then reopen Shortcuts. If the automation asks before running, select Run Immediately. Recheck after iOS updates.

These instructions are for iPhone. You don’t need to turn off Share Across Devices or TezBlock’s Sync Websites to Mac.

Still stuck? Get help →