FAQ

General

What is Unlock?

Unlock is a digital‑wellbeing app that intercepts launches of distracting apps and asks you to record a 3‑second front‑camera clip while reciting your unlock phrase. The pause snaps you out of autopilot so you can decide whether opening that app is worth it.

How much does Unlock cost?

Unlock offers two subscription options:

  • Monthly: £13.99 per month
  • Annual: £49.99 per year (equivalent to £4.17 per month)

Why did you create Unlock?

We built Unlock for anyone tired of doom‑scrolling yet frustrated by screen‑time limits with an “Ignore” button. Recording a short clip makes the decision deliberate and eliminates easy loopholes.

Where is Unlock available?

Unlock is currently available on iOS in the United Kingdom and the United States. We plan Android support and wider regions soon.

When will Unlock be available on Android?

Android support is in active development (Expo SDK 52). Join the wait‑list at [email protected] and we’ll notify you once it’s ready.

Is Unlock secure?

Yes. Videos stay local on your device by default. If you opt‑in to the local gallery sync, clips are end‑to‑end encrypted before reaching our servers. All analytics events are anonymised.

Account

How do I create an account?

On first network connection, Unlock registers an anonymous install and returns a user ID along with access & refresh tokens — no email or password required.

Why do I need to grant camera and microphone access?

Unlock relies on a 3‑second selfie video plus speech‑to‑text validation. Both camera and mic permissions are essential to run the unlock ritual.

Is my video data safe?

Absolutely. Clips are stored using on‑device encryption. If you opt into cloud backup, they’re encrypted with keys only your device holds. We never analyse or sell your recordings.

How do I delete my account?

You can delete your account from Settings → Danger Zone → Delete Account. This wipes tokens, logs, and (if you enabled cloud backup) the encrypted video shards.

What happens if I revoke camera access later?

Unlock falls back to a “soft lock” mode and reminds you that a camera is required. You can still browse past stats, but launches won’t be intercepted until permissions are restored.

The App

How does the unlock process work?

When you tap a blocked app, Unlock launches first, automatically records a 3‑second clip, checks that you spoke the phrase correctly, and then gives you a session‑length picker (15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 6 h, rest of day).

What session lengths can I choose?

You can allow the target app for 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour, 6 hours, or the rest of the day. Once the timer ends, the intercept re‑engages automatically.

What is the local gallery?

If you opt‑in, Unlock saves past clips in a private gallery so you can reflect on moments of temptation — nothing leaves your device unless you enable backup.

Do you track analytics?

Behaviour events (e.g. “unlock_attempt”, “session_started”) are sent to PostHog for anonymised product analytics. No personal identifiers or video frames are transmitted.

Can I customise my unlock phrase?

Yes – choose a default phrase like “I choose focus” or record your own at any time from Settings.

Privacy and Data

How is my video data used?

Only to validate unlock attempts and, if enabled, to populate your local gallery. Videos are never used for advertising or sold to third parties.

Does Unlock store my unlock videos in the cloud?

By default, no. Cloud backup is optional and end‑to‑end encrypted. Disable it at any time to remove all cloud copies.

How long is my data retained?

Local videos remain until you delete them or uninstall the app. Server‑side logs (push tokens, subscription receipts) are retained while your subscription is active, then purged within 30 days of account deletion.

How does PostHog integration work?

Each event is stripped of personal identifiers, batched, and transmitted over HTTPS. PostHog stores only anonymous install IDs, event names, and basic device metadata (OS version, locale).

Need more help?

If you have any other questions or need support, please email [email protected].