Tonic asks for Screen Time access so it can show a locked screen on the apps you pick, then unlock them once you earn them. Apple hands Tonic only anonymous codes, never your app names or anything you do inside them. Tap Continue when the prompt appears, or turn it on later in Settings if you said no.
Why Tonic asks for Screen Time access
Screen Time is the part of iOS that can place a quiet locked screen over an app. Tonic uses it for one thing: to hold the apps you choose until you have earned them, then unlock them again. Without this access, Tonic has no way to lock or unlock anything, so it cannot work at all.
The prompt iOS shows looks official, and it is easy to read it as a parental control. It is not. Tonic is a tool you set for yourself, you stay in charge of it, and you can turn it off whenever you want. You are granting access to your own phone, for your own rules.
Is my data private?
Yes. When you pick the apps to lock or earn with, Apple does not give Tonic their names. Apple lets Tonic see your app icons but keeps their names private, sharing only an anonymous code that means "this app" without saying which one. This is built into iOS by Apple, not a promise from us. We could not see your app names or what you do inside those apps even if we tried.
- No app names. Tonic never learns which apps you locked or which you earn with. That is also why Tonic asks you to name your apps yourself.
- No account. There is no sign-up, no password, and no profile.
- No selling or ads. We never sell your data, show ads, or track you across other apps and websites.
For the full detail on what Tonic collects and why, see our privacy policy.
Grant access at first launch
When you first open Tonic, a short intro plays. Right after it, iOS asks for Screen Time access.
- Watch the short intro.When it finishes, a system box appears that reads "Tonic Would Like to Access Screen Time."
- Tap Continue.That grants the access. Tonic then helps you choose your apps and build your first ritual.
If you said no, turn it back on
If you tapped Don't Allow, nothing is broken. You can grant access from inside Tonic.
- Open Settings inside Tonic.Tap the gear on the dashboard, then find the Permissions section.
- Tap Request Access next to Screen Time.The same iOS prompt appears again. Tap Continue. The row then reads Authorized.
If the prompt does not appear, or the status still looks wrong, open the iPhone Settings app, go to Screen Time, and make sure access for Tonic is turned on. Then reopen Tonic.
A change in iOS Settings may not show up right away.
If you turn Screen Time access on or off in the iPhone Settings app while Tonic is open, Tonic may not notice until you fully close it and open it again. If the status looks wrong, reopen Tonic first.
What access does and does not let Tonic do
| Tonic can | Tonic cannot |
|---|---|
| Show a locked screen on the apps you chose | See the names of those apps |
| Unlock them once you earn time | See anything you do inside them |
| Notice when you open one of your chosen apps | Read your messages, photos, or browsing |
| Be turned off by you at any time | Lock you out, since you stay in control |
You can withdraw Screen Time access at any time in the iPhone Settings app under Screen Time. Tonic stops locking apps the moment you do.
Still stuck? Email [email protected].
Related: How does Tonic work? Earning your way into the apps you choose · Tonic isn't locking my apps. What should I check? · Why does Tonic ask me to name my apps? I already picked them