Why Reddit is hard to block
Reddit's average daily session on iOS in 2026 is 22 minutes (data.ai). Lower than Instagram or TikTok in raw minutes but unusual in two ways. First, the user pool is more committed: r/AskReddit, r/relationship_advice, r/AmItheAsshole and similar story-driven subreddits create reading sessions that are closer to long-form than the typical social feed. Second, Reddit has more access surfaces than any other major social platform.
The surfaces to be aware of:
- The official Reddit app (the main target)
- Third-party clients (Narwhal, Bacon Reader, others still in the App Store after the 2023 API kerfuffle)
- The full-feature web site at
reddit.com - The legacy version at
old.reddit.com(lighter, faster, very functional) - The mobile web at
m.reddit.com - NP (no-participation) mode at
np.reddit.com - Subreddit-specific subdomains like
i.reddit.com
Any block that only addresses one of these will fail because heavy Reddit users naturally route around obstacles. A complete block addresses all of them.
Method 1: App Limit
How: Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Add Limit > (uncheck all) > expand "Social" > check Reddit and every third-party Reddit client you have. Set 15 minutes > Add.
Strength: 2/10 without a passcode; 5/10 with one. Lower than TikTok or Instagram because the web fallback is unblocked.
When to use: first attempt and audit.
Method 2: Screen Time passcode
How: Settings > Screen Time > Use Screen Time Passcode > 4-digit code, ideally held by someone else.
When to use: after Method 1 fails. Cheapest hard escalation.
Method 3: Delete every Reddit client and block all the URLs
How: Delete the official Reddit app plus every third-party Reddit client. Then Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites > Never Allow > add reddit.com, old.reddit.com, m.reddit.com, np.reddit.com, i.reddit.com.
Strength: 6/10. Lower than Instagram or TikTok deletion because Reddit users tend to be browser-savvy and may attempt Google-cache or third-party Reddit-mirror routes. Whether those count as "Reddit" for your block is a personal call.
When to use: 14-day experiment. The longer span is because Reddit habits are spread thinner across the day (many short visits) and so the urge takes longer to subside than for a single-session app.
Method 4: Content Restrictions (install + web)
How: Add to Method 3's web blocks: Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps > Don't Allow. Now no Reddit client can be re-installed.
When to use: when you want extended Reddit removal. Trade-off: blocks all app installs.
Method 5: Add a verified-exercise consequence
How: Set a daily limit in iOS Screen Time. Install ScreenFine. Reddit time, in app or browser, counts toward your daily total.
When to use: when you want to keep Reddit (for specific subreddits or communities) but the daily total is out of hand. The pushup cost moves marginal scroll sessions out of "free".