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Comment by lifeisjoy | Hacker News Reader

Any idea how they managed to implement this in iOS? Normally I thought the iOS API didn’t give you access to stuff like this. I did see on one of their notion docs they mentioned blocking safari with an iOS shortcut so I wonder if that’s maybe how it’s being accomplished under the hood

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The Screen Time API extends a little beyond what you get with built-in Screen Time, like the ability to hide apps. It's still a bit funny that this product bashes Screen Time for being too easy to bypass when you could also just set a pin that you then write down and cycle once you remember it too well. I do this to enable the passcode change lock and account lock to prevent full compromise in case someone shouldersurfs my PIN and steals my phone (been known to happen).

Screen time passcode is what I do too. The rule I set for myself is that my partner ist the only one allowed to lock it and unlock it. (Technically, you can always remove the passcode with the Apple password, but I don to that).

Screentime password for me is too automatic. Something like the brick may be enough to break out of automatic mode and into thinking about it at which point i may have a chance to stop my self. ADHD is a fun beast to tame.

I think apps like Opal use a combination of screen time APIs and abusing Shortcuts, might be something similar.

I would guess that it’s using MDM/configuration profiles

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