Yes. Prayer Latch works on iPhone and iPad running iOS 16.4 or later, and it uses Apple's Screen Time permission to place a shield over the apps you choose until you pray.
What does the Screen Time permission do?
Apple lets apps that help with phone habits use the same tools as Screen Time. When you allow Prayer Latch, three things become possible:
- You pick apps from Apple's own app picker.
- Prayer Latch can shield those apps at your lock times.
- The shield can lift after you pray and say Amen, until the next lock time.
Can Prayer Latch see which apps I use?
No. Apple's picker hands Prayer Latch anonymous tokens instead of app names, so the app can lock your choices without knowing what they are. That's why the Lock list on iPhone shows how many apps you've chosen rather than their names. Prayer Latch doesn't receive a list of your installed apps or read anything inside them.
What do I see when I tap a locked app?
A shield screen covers the app. On iOS 26.5 and later, its button opens Prayer Latch so you can pray right away. On earlier versions the shield explains how to open Prayer Latch from your Home Screen. After you hold to say Amen, your apps open until the next lock time.
Does it still work if I close the app?
Yes. Locking and unlocking are handled by Apple's Screen Time system on a schedule, so your apps lock at your wake-up time even if Prayer Latch isn't open.
Can I turn it off?
Always. You can revoke the Screen Time permission in iOS Settings, and allowing it doesn't stop you from deleting the app. For a quick break without turning anything off, use emergency unlock, which is free.
Does it work on iPad?
Yes, Prayer Latch runs on iPad with iOS 16.4 or later, with layouts made for the bigger screen.
Is Screen Time permission safe to give?
Apple only allows apps to use it after review, and it was built with privacy in mind: the app never learns which apps you picked. Prayer Latch uses it only to lock and unlock the apps you choose at the times you set.
Pray before you scroll
Prayer Latch locks your chosen apps each morning until you pray. Your first 7 days are free, no card needed.
Updated October 20, 2026 by the Prayer Latch team at Janus Works LLC.