Roots
Roots is an iPhone screen-time app for setting limits on phone use and making room for offline activities.
What Roots is
Roots is an iPhone screen-time app for setting limits on phone use and making room for offline activities. A daily Balance Score reflects phone use, with progress tracked over time. Users can block apps and websites using limits, schedule downtime, or turn on Monk Mode for stricter restrictions. Weekly reports and Digital Dopamine offer additional screen-time insights, with the latter comparing the impact of different apps. The app also supports goals for screen time and phone pickups, plus streaks and rewards. The free plan includes two blockings, a Balance Score, Scroll Replacements, and Screen Time Insights. Roots Plus adds unlimited blockings and features such as Block now, Locked Editing, uninstall protection, App Groups, and Pauses. Plus costs $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year; a 7-day free trial is available. Roots says usage and browsing data stays on the device through Apple’s iOS Screen Time API and is not visible to Roots. Roots is available for iOS; its Android app is listed as coming soon.
Good
- Daily Balance Score tracks phone-use progress.
- Offers app and website blocking with scheduled downtime.
- Weekly reports and Digital Dopamine provide insights.
- Goals, streaks, and rewards support behavior tracking.
- Usage and browsing data stays on the device.
Watch out
- Free plan includes only two blockings.
- Android app is listed as coming soon.
- Roots Plus costs $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.
Who it suits
Roots suits iPhone users who want tools to set phone boundaries, track progress, and build screen-time or phone-pickup goals. Its listed audiences include professionals, parents, students, remote workers, health enthusiasts, and couples.
Verdict
Roots combines blocking, usage insights, and goal-setting for iPhone users who want structure around phone habits. The free plan has two blockings, while Roots Plus adds unlimited blocking and other features.
Plans and prices
From Roots's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Roots Plus (Monthly) | $9.99 a month | Unlimited Blockings · Monk Mode · Digital Dopamine · Block now · Locked Editing · Uninstall protection · App Groups · Streak Rewards · Pauses · $119.88 billed annually |
| Roots Plus (Yearly) | $59.99 a year | Unlimited Blockings · Monk Mode · Digital Dopamine · Block now · Locked Editing · Uninstall protection · App Groups · Streak Rewards · Pauses · $59.99 billed annually |
| Roots Free | — | Balance Score · Scroll Replacements · Screen Time Insights · 2 Blockings |
The facts
Each one read from Roots's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Balance Score
- The app provides a daily Balance Score based on phone use and visualizes progress over time.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Blocking
- Roots offers app and website blocking through limits, scheduled downtime, and a stricter Monk Mode.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Developer
- The App Store listing names MWM as the developer.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Goals and rewards
- Users can set screen-time and phone-pickup goals, build streaks, and earn rewards.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Insights
- Screen-time insights include weekly reports and a Digital Dopamine feature that compares the impact of different apps.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker’s FAQ says Roots uses Apple’s iOS Screen Time API.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker identifies professionals, parents, students, remote workers, health enthusiasts, and couples as audiences Roots can help.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Roots says it uses Apple’s iOS Screen Time API so app usage and browsing data stays on the device and is not visible to Roots.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Roots describes itself as a screen-time app that helps people set phone boundaries and make more time for offline activities.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Roots links to an Intercom Help Center with articles covering usage, troubleshooting, and billing and subscriptions.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Company mission
- Roots says its mission is to empower people to live a balanced life in a digital world.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Atlantachecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free tier limit
- The Roots Free plan includes two blockings, while Roots Plus includes unlimited blockings and the additional listed features.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Trial and refund
- Roots offers a 7-day free trial and says customers can request a full refund within 30 days of their first payment.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platform availability
- The App Store listing says Roots is only for iPhone, and the maker’s pricing page labels its Android app as coming soon.checked 8 Oct 2026
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