Support

Support and FAQ

If you are having trouble setting up or using Bear Lock, check the steps below.

About the Android Version

Android uses an accessibility service for blocking. Open “Permissions and status” in Settings to check accessibility and alarm access. Website blocking targets readable address bars in regular Chrome and Firefox tabs. Private tabs, custom tabs, and hidden address bars are not guaranteed. Select unclassified apps individually. Power saving and restart behavior varies by device and is still being tested.

Supporting Development

Bear Lock is free to use. The Android version has no in-app purchases. Feedback, issue reports, and sharing the app also help. Visit the support development page to support Bear Lock’s development.

On iOS, open “Support Bear Lock” in Settings for optional support purchases. Check the price shown by the App Store. All lock features remain available without purchasing.

What Bear Lock Does

Bear Lock uses iOS Screen Time to block selected apps, categories, and websites during a time you choose. After a lock starts, you cannot shorten it or end it early from within Bear Lock.

Requirements

• An iPhone running iOS 17 or later
• Device settings that allow Screen Time / Family Controls

Apps Are Not Being Blocked

1. Confirm that Screen Time access is granted to Bear Lock.
2. Confirm that at least one app, category, or website is selected.
3. Check the lock's start and end times.
4. Open Bear Lock and wait for its status to refresh.
5. If the problem continues, restart your iPhone.

If you selected a category, the apps it contains may differ from what you expect because iOS determines app categories.

Screen Time Access Cannot Be Granted

1. Open iPhone Settings and confirm that Screen Time is available.
2. Quit Bear Lock and open it again.
3. Restart your iPhone if needed.

Screen Time settings may be restricted on devices managed by a family or organization.

Apps Remain Blocked After a Lock Ends

1. Open Bear Lock and wait for its status to refresh.
2. Confirm that the scheduled end time has passed.
3. Restart your iPhone.
4. If apps are still blocked, revoke Bear Lock's Screen Time access in iOS Settings. Then open Bear Lock and grant access again.

Bear Lock cannot block apps while its Screen Time access is revoked.

A Lock Cannot Be Ended Early

This is intentional. Always review the selected targets and end time before starting a lock. Actions outside Bear Lock, such as changing iOS settings or deleting the app, remain under iOS control.

Privacy

Your selections and lock schedules stay on your device and are not automatically sent to Hiyozoo. See the Privacy Policy for details.

Contact Support

If the problem continues, email support@hiyozoo.com. Including the following information will help us investigate:

• Bear Lock version
• iPhone model and iOS version
• Date and time the problem occurred
• What you expected and what happened instead
• A screenshot showing the problem, if helpful

Before sending a screenshot, check that it does not contain personal information you do not want to share.