Articles on: First Steps on Jomo
This article is also available in:

What is a rule on Jomo?

Jomo’s goal is to help you take back control of how you use your iPhone, iPad, and/or Mac. The idea? Free you from distractions so you can focus better, sleep more peacefully, or cut back on dependency.


Jomo is currently one of the most powerful and complete screen time apps available on iPhone. It offers plenty of options and settings so you can create rules that work for you. Don’t worry — we’ve designed everything to stay simple, intuitive, and enjoyable to use. This guide will help you find specific options or better understand how certain features work.


  1. How does a Jomo rule work?
  2. How can I add a rule?
  3. How can I create a rule template?
  4. How can I choose which apps and sites to block?
  5. How can I take a break when an app is blocked?
  6. How can I make blocking more strict with Strict Mode?
  7. How can I change a rule’s duration?
  8. How can I change the action/limit type in my rule (Actions & Limits)?
  9. How can I know if my rule is working properly?
  10. How can I make edits on my rule?
  11. How can I temporarily disable my rule?
  12. How can I delete my rule?





How does a Jomo rule work?


No matter what kind of rule you create, the logic is always the same:


Choose what kind of condition blocks the apps.

  1. Time. Block apps during specific time intervals or for a set duration. (Sessions)
  2. Usage. Block apps after a certain amount of usage time or number of opens. (Limits)
  3. Action. Unlock apps after completing a positive action (like walking, self-care, etc.) or after time spent on a “good” app. (Actions)


Choose what to block.

  1. Apps. All apps installed on your device.
  2. Websites. Specific sites in Safari or all browsers. (Includes Adult Content)
  3. Keywords (Mac only). Words you want to avoid that could lead to time-wasting or harmful content.
  4. Options (iPhone/iPad only). Block in-app purchases and/or new app installs.


Choose the duration.


Choose the difficulty.

  1. Easy. You can pause the block anytime, edit or delete the rule freely.
  2. Medium. Limited number of pauses per day. Still editable or deletable anytime.
  3. Strict. No pauses, no edits, no deletions while active.



How can I add a rule?


Everything related to blocking is under the Rules tab.


  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap + .
  3. Choose a category.
  4. Customize as you like.
  5. Tap Schedule to confirm.



How can I create a rule template?


Templates are helpful if you want to start a rule later, or link it to a Shortcut or Focus Mode.


  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap + .
  3. Choose a category
  4. Customize as you like.
  5. Tap Add to templates to save.



How can I choose which apps and sites to block?


On iOS / iPadOS


#1 — Blocklist | Only selected apps/sites will be blocked
  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap + .
  3. Choose a category
  4. Tap Block .
  5. Tap Only .
  6. Select the apps and websites you want to block.
  7. Tap Schedule to confirm.


#2 — Whitelist | Everything will be blocked except selected apps/sites
  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap + .
  3. Choose a category
  4. Tap Block .
  5. Tap All Except .
  6. Select the apps and websites you want to allow.
  7. Tap Schedule to confirm.


#3 — App Groups | Save your blocked app lists
  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap … .
  3. Tap App Groups .
  4. Tap Add .
  5. Tap Blocked Content .
  6. Select the apps and sites.
  7. Tap Save .
  8. Name your group.
  9. Tap Add .


Note: You can block up to 49 individual apps and 49 websites — this limit is set by Apple for all screen time apps.


Go further


On Mac


#1 — Blocklist
  1. Open Jomo.
  2. Click New Rule .
  3. Click Recurring Session .
  4. Click Apps & Sites .
  5. Choose Apps, Sites, or Keywords .
  6. Click Only .
  7. Select what to block.
  8. Click Save .


#2 — Whitelist
  1. Open Jomo.
  2. Click New Rule .
  3. Click Recurring Session .
  4. Click Apps & Sites .
  5. Choose Apps, Sites, or Keywords .
  6. Click All Except .
  7. Select what to exclude from blocking.
  8. Click Save .


#3 — App Groups
  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Click … .
  3. Click App Groups .
  4. Click Add .
  5. Click Blocked Content .
  6. Select the apps and sites.
  7. Click Save .
  8. Name your group.
  9. Click Add .


Go further



How can I take a break when an app is blocked?


With Jomo, you can block apps however you like — but if you ever need a quick break, you can allow temporary pauses.


You can
  1. Adjust the max pause duration (from 1 min to 2 hours).
  2. Choose the task required before unlocking (wait timer, copy a random code, scan a QR, give a reason…).
  3. Add a required cooldown between pauses.
  4. Set how many pauses are allowed (unlimited or fixed number).


On iOS / iPadOS


Enable breaks
  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap + .
  3. Tap Recurring Session .
  4. Tap Difficulty / Block .
  5. Tap Breaks .
  6. Tap Save


Take a break
  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap your rule.
  3. Tap Pause .
  4. Choose the max duration.
  5. Tap Unlock […]min


Or from the blocked app
  1. Open the blocked app.
  2. Tap Unlock .
  3. Choose the max duration.
  4. Tap Unlock […]min


On Mac


Enable breaks
  1. Open Jomo.
  2. Click New Rule .
  3. Click Recurring Session .
  4. Click Difficulty / Block .
  5. Click Breaks .
  6. Click Save


Take a break
  1. Open Jomo.
  2. Click your rule.
  3. Click Pause .
  4. Choose the max duration.
  5. Click Unlock […]min


Or from a blocked website
  1. Open the blocked site.
  2. On screen, click Open Jomo .
  3. Click your rule.
  4. Choose the max duration.
  5. Click Unlock […]min



How can I make blocking more strict with Strict Mode?


By default, you can edit or delete your rules anytime. With Strict Mode, you can lock that down.


You can
  1. Choose when Strict Mode is active (only while blocking, at specific times, until a date, or always-on)
  2. Choose which protections are enabled (4 options available)


On iOS / iPadOS


  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap + .
  3. Tap Recurring Session .
  4. Tap Difficulty / Block .
  5. Tap Strict Mode .
  6. Adjust settings.
  7. Tap Save


On Mac


  1. Open Jomo.
  2. Click New Rule .
  3. Click Recurring Session .
  4. Click Difficulty / Block .
  5. Click Strict Mode .
  6. Adjust settings.
  7. Click Save


Note: Make sure your rule is fully configured before enabling Strict Mode. Read all on-screen instructions carefully.



How can I change a rule’s duration?


There are 3 options
  1. Immediate. Starts now for a set time (e.g. 30 minutes, 3 days…)
  2. Scheduled / Recurring. Runs during your chosen time windows (e.g. Mondays 9–5, or Wednesdays 11–12)
  3. Always-On. Starts immediately and runs until you delete it


On iOS / iPadOS


  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap + .
  3. Tap Recurring Session .
  4. Tap Active .
  5. Set your preferences.
  6. Tap Schedule to confirm.


On Mac


  1. Open Jomo.
  2. Click New Rule .
  3. Click Recurring Session .
  4. Click Active .
  5. Set your preferences.
  6. Click Schedule to confirm.



How can I change the action/limit type in my rule (Actions & Limits)?


To update the action (for Action rules) or limit type (for Limit rules), use the After section.


Limits
  1. Time Limit. Block after a set amount of usage
  2. Opens Limit. Block after a number of app launches
  3. Screen Time Limit. Block after a screen time total


Actions
  1. Good Apps. Unlock after time spent on positive apps
  2. Move. Unlock after reaching a step count or movement goal (walk, push, run, cycle, swim, calories burned, workout…)
  3. Self-Care. Unlock after taking care of yourself (e.g. meditate, hydrate, go outside, log your mood)
  4. Scan. Unlock by scanning something
  5. To-Do. Unlock after completing an offline task


These features are only available on iPhone & iPad.


  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap + .
  3. Tap Limit or Action .
  4. Tap After .
  5. Set your preferences.
  6. Tap Schedule to confirm.



How can I know if my rule is working properly?


If you're unsure whether a rule is working, check the following. If something seems off, check our troubleshooting article.


Each rule will show
  1. Blocking — the rule is currently blocking something.
  2. Not Blocking — the rule isn’t blocking anything right now.


In Jomo

  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap your rule.
  3. Read the description at the top.


In a blocked app


  1. Open the blocked app.
  2. Look for the message Blocked by […] on Jomo


Don't see this mention? Check if another screen time app is also blocking your apps. If so, contact their support for help. Learn more



How can I make edits on my rule?


On iOS / iPadOS


  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap your rule.
  3. Make your changes.
  4. Tap Save


On Mac


  1. Open Jomo.
  2. Click your rule.
  3. Make your changes.
  4. Click Save



How can I temporarily disable my rule?


On iOS / iPadOS


  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap your rule.
  3. Scroll down and tap Snooze


On Mac


  1. Open Jomo.
  2. Click your rule.
  3. Scroll down and click Snooze


Note: Snooze is only available for Session rules.



How can I delete my rule?


On iOS / iPadOS


  1. Open Jomo > Rules.
  2. Tap your rule.
  3. Scroll down and tap Delete


On Mac


  1. Open Jomo.
  2. Click your rule.
  3. Scroll down and click Delete


Is your rule in Strict Mode? Learn more



Updated on: 17/07/2025

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!