brb vs WalkBlock
Both apps block chosen iPhone apps until you hit a daily step goal from Apple Health. The products sit in the same category. The differences are in the exit rules, polish, and how hard the lock stays.
Direct answer
Choose either when you want walk-to-unlock instead of a timer. Prefer brb if you want Strict Mode plus a single five-minute Emergency Unlock, a home-screen widget for steps and streak, and a 7-day trial. Prefer WalkBlock if you like its setup flow, optional friends leaderboard, or its published Pro pricing better fits you.
Side by side
| Feature | brb | WalkBlock |
|---|---|---|
| Core rule | Daily step goal unlocks chosen apps | Daily step goal unlocks chosen apps |
| Blocking | Apple Screen Time | Apple Screen Time |
| Steps | Apple Health | Apple Health |
| Strict enforcement | Strict Mode (no ignore while locked) | Positions as no snooze; check its settings for clear-all exits |
| Emergency / break | 5 minutes, once per day | No snooze marketed; clear-blocked-apps style exits may exist in settings |
| Social | No leaderboard | Optional leaderboard / friends |
| Widget | Home screen steps & streak | Home screen steps remaining |
| Trial | 7-day free trial | Free download; Pro subscription plans |
brb is a better fit if
- — You want Strict Mode so the casual ignore path is gone while apps are locked.
- — You want one Emergency Unlock: five minutes, once per day.
- — You want steps and streak on a home screen widget, with a clear free trial.
WalkBlock is a better fit if
- — You already like WalkBlock’s onboarding and goal presets.
- — You want an optional friends / leaderboard layer for accountability.
- — You are fine with its Pro subscription and do not need brb’s Strict Mode framing.
Same job
WalkBlock and brb are both walk-to-unlock apps. You pick distracting apps, set a step goal, and those apps stay behind Apple’s Screen Time shield until Health says you hit the number. That is a different bargain from Opal’s timers or Screen Time’s Ignore Limit.
If you are choosing between them, you are already past “should I use steps?” The question is which lock and which exit rules you trust.
Where brb draws a harder line
Strict Mode removes the casual ignore path while apps are locked. Emergency Unlock is explicit: five minutes, once a day, from Block Apps, resets at midnight. That is intentional honesty about needing a rare exception without making override the default.
WalkBlock markets zero snooze buttons. That can be the right feel. Read its help and settings carefully — some walk-to-unlock apps also expose a clear-all or unblock path that is easy to miss in marketing copy.
Where WalkBlock may fit better
If you want social accountability, WalkBlock’s optional leaderboard is a real product difference. brb does not try to win that job.
Pricing and packaging change. Compare current App Store plans side by side when you decide. brb’s offer is a 7-day free trial, then subscription.
Questions
Is brb the same as WalkBlock?
Same category: daily step goal unlocks apps via Screen Time and Apple Health. Different apps, different exit rules, widgets, and social features.
Can I use brb and WalkBlock together?
You should not. Two Screen Time blockers on the same apps usually conflict. Pick one.
Does WalkBlock unlock with steps the way brb does?
Yes for the core loop. Hit the daily goal, then the chosen apps unlock. Details like when the shield refreshes can require opening the app on either product — iOS background updates are imperfect.
Walk first tomorrow morning
Download brb free and let your first unlock of the day be steps — not your phone.
Download on the App Store