Getting Started
During onboarding, you'll be asked to allow Screen Time permission (required for blocking), then choose which apps, categories, or websites to block. Once that's done, you're ready to start your first focus session.
Zarko uses Apple's official Screen Time (Family Controls) framework to block the apps and websites you choose. This is the same system-level API Apple provides for personal screen-time management — Zarko cannot block anything without it, and all blocking happens entirely on your device.
Yes — during setup (or anytime from the app picker) you can select individual apps, whole categories (like Social or Games), or specific websites you want blocked in Safari.
Focus Sessions
You can choose 25, 50, or 90 minutes when starting a session.
They're completely locked using Apple's Screen Time framework — opening a blocked app shows a shield screen instead of the app itself.
Yes. Any website you add during setup is blocked in Safari for the duration of your session, the same way blocked apps are.
Unlocking Early
You'll have to beat the unlock challenge — a short physical or mental mission (like shaking your phone, walking a few steps, solving a quick problem, or repeating a sequence). Complete it and you're unlocked immediately.
No. There's no chance, odds, or gambling involved — the unlock challenge is entirely skill-based. Complete it and you unlock, every time. The whole point is to make quitting early take real effort, not to leave it to luck.
A wrong answer or mistimed attempt just resets that mission's progress — you can try again immediately. There's no penalty and no limit on attempts, so you're never permanently stuck.
No. Nothing is purchased, wagered, or exchanged for cash. The unlock challenge only affects when you're allowed to end your own focus session early — there's nothing to buy anywhere in Zarko.
Streaks & Stats
Complete at least one focus session in a day to keep your streak going. Miss a day and the streak resets — but your past history is never erased.
The Stats tab shows your weekly focus time, session count, and streak, plus a daily breakdown chart.
Yes — tap the share icon on the Stats tab to generate a shareable card with your weekly stats, sized for Instagram Stories.
Themes & Achievements
Successfully completing the unlock challenge gives you a new color theme, randomly picked from the collection. Collect and apply them from the Inventory tab.
No — all themes are earned through gameplay, never purchased.
The Inventory tab also tracks achievement badges you earn for milestones like completing sessions, keeping a streak going, and winning unlock challenges. Check the Inventory tab to see which ones you've unlocked.
Pricing
Yes — 100% free. No ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases.
Troubleshooting
Make sure Screen Time permission is still allowed for Zarko in iOS Settings → Screen Time. If you recently changed your app selection, try ending and restarting your session.
Check that notifications are enabled for Zarko in iOS Settings → Notifications, and that the Streak Reminder toggle is on in Zarko's Settings tab.
Make sure you've selected at least one app, category, or website before starting — the Start button stays disabled until something is selected.
Still need help?
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