How It Works

Push Up Screen Time Control is a self-control fitness app designed for individuals who want to build healthier screen time habits. The core idea is simple: users choose which apps they want to limit on their own device, and they must complete physical exercises — such as pushups, squats, or jumping jacks — to earn minutes of access to those apps.

The formula is straightforward: 1 rep = 1 minute of screen time.

Step-by-Step Flow

  1. Select Apps to Limit
    After granting authorization, the user opens the app and selects which apps they want to block on their own device. The app presents Apple’s native FamilyActivityPicker, which allows the user to choose specific apps or categories. No app identifiers or names are ever exposed to our code — Apple’s framework handles selection privately.
  2. Shields Are Applied
    Once apps are selected, the app uses the ManagedSettings framework to apply a shield (a blocking overlay) on those apps. When the user tries to open a blocked app, they see a custom shield screen prompting them to complete a workout instead.
  3. Complete a Workout
    The user opens Push Up Screen Time Control and starts a workout session. The app activates the device camera and uses on-device ML pose detection to count exercise reps in real time. The user performs pushups, squats, or jumping jacks in front of the camera, and the app tracks each completed rep.
  4. Earn Screen Time
    Each completed rep earns the user one minute of access to their blocked apps. Once the workout is finished, the app temporarily removes the shields from the selected apps for the earned duration.
  5. Shields Re-Apply Automatically
    After the earned time expires, shields are automatically re-applied. The user must complete another workout to earn more access. This creates a healthy cycle that encourages physical activity throughout the day.

Why This App Uses Family Controls & Screen Time API

This app requires Apple’s Family Controls capability and the Screen Time API (FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, and DeviceActivityMonitor frameworks) because the core functionality depends on the ability to shield and unshield apps on the user’s device. Specifically:

  • FamilyControls Framework — Used to request authorization from the user (as an individual, not a parent/guardian) and to present the FamilyActivityPicker so the user can select which of their own apps to limit.
  • ManagedSettings Framework — Used to apply and remove shields (blocking overlays) on the user’s selected apps. When the user earns screen time through exercise, the app removes the shield for the earned duration. When time expires, shields are re-applied.
  • DeviceActivityMonitor Extension — A background extension that monitors device activity schedules and re-applies shields when earned time expires, ensuring the blocking mechanism works reliably even when the main app is not in the foreground.
  • ShieldConfiguration Extension — Customizes the appearance of the shield overlay that users see when they attempt to open a blocked app, providing a branded experience that directs them back to the workout screen.
  • ShieldAction Extension — Handles user interactions with the shield overlay, such as tapping a button to open the main app and start a workout.

Without these frameworks, the app would have no way to block or restrict access to other apps on the device, which is the fundamental mechanism that ties physical exercise to screen time access.

Important: This app is designed exclusively for individual self-control, not parental controls. Users voluntarily choose to restrict their own apps and must authorize the app themselves. There is no remote management, no family/child account involvement, and no way for one person to control another person’s device.


Privacy Policy

End User License Agreement (EULA)

By using this application, you agree to be bound by Apple’s Standard End User License Agreement (EULA). Please review the full terms and conditions at the link below:

Apple Standard EULA

We recognize that privacy is significant. We have created this Policy to explain our privacy practices so you can understand what information about you is collected, used and disclosed.

Information We Collect

We collect information to provide corresponding service and better user experience. This includes:

  • Non-personal identification information about installed applications, usage information and device information
  • Feedback information such as email address and names

How We Use Collected Information

We may use your information for:

  • Developing and improving our services
  • Personalizing user experience
  • Marketing and promotion purposes
  • Operating and maintaining app functionality
  • Communication purposes (emails, push notifications, service-related messages)

Information Disclosure

Push Up Screen Time Control does not collect, store, or share any Screen Time data, device usage data, or app activity information. The app displays advertisements and may share non-personal device identifiers (such as advertising ID) with trusted ad partners (Google AdMob) solely for advertising purposes, in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

Security

We employ administrative, physical, and electronic measures to protect your Non-Personal Information, though no security measure is absolutely guaranteed.

Contact Us

For questions or privacy concerns, contact us at: niralkabariya989@gmail.com

For copyright issues, contact: niralkabariya989@gmail.com

Changes to Privacy Policy

Our Privacy Policy may change from time to time. Continued use of our Applications constitutes acceptance of any modifications.