Anchor

Help & FAQ

Questions & answers

How Anchor wakes you, blocks your apps, and stays out of your way. Anything we missed: hello@anchormorning.app. A human reads every message.

The basics

What exactly is Anchor, and how is it different from my iPhone's Clock app?
Anchor is an iOS alarm you cannot silence from the pillow. Final silence on a ringing alarm is a scan (barcode, QR, or any readable NFC tag) or an emergency override. Snooze exists (0, 1, or 2) and is a short pause, not an escape. It also locks the apps you choose after you wake. Built on AlarmKit for iOS 26.1+, it rings through Silent Mode, Do Not Disturb, and Focus.
Is Anchor an alarm app, a blocker, or both?
Both. The alarm forces you out of bed via a scan — that's the core. The app blocker (called "At Rest") works separately and can run with or without an alarm. You can lock apps on a schedule, for a set duration, or unlock-by-scan only. They work together beautifully, but they're independent.
What's the bare minimum I need to get started?
Just an iPhone on iOS 26.1 or later. Set up Anchor, register any household barcode as your dismiss code, and you're ready. The app is entirely on-device. No account, no backend, no setup required beyond that.

Waking up & dismissing

What can I scan to dismiss the alarm?
A household barcode or QR code you register, or any readable NFC tag. A registered barcode has to match. Any NFC tag your phone can read will work. No special hardware needed.
Do I need to buy the Anchor Tag NFC hardware to use the app?
No. Any household barcode works — cereal box, shampoo bottle, Amazon package. You pick your barcode in Settings once, then scan it to dismiss. The Anchor Tag (an optional NFC tap) is sold separately if you prefer a calmer ritual — but it's never required.
How does registering my dismiss code work? Will any barcode work?
During onboarding you can register a household barcode or QR code. Once registered, that barcode has to match; a random barcode will not silence the alarm. NFC is different: pairing stores a UID, but dismiss and unlock accept any readable NFC tag.
What if my registered code gets damaged or I lose access to it?
You can always change your dismiss code in Settings — register a different household barcode or QR code whenever you need to. If the alarm is actively ringing and your code is unavailable, Emergency Override lets you silence it with a quick confirmation (you get 3 per month, reset on the 1st).
Will the alarm ring through Silent Mode, Do Not Disturb, or Focus?
Yes. The alarm rings through all of them. It is designed to wake you no matter what's enabled on your phone, and it keeps coming back if you ignore it until you scan or use an emergency override.
What happens if I force-quit the app or my phone runs out of battery?
The alarm survives both. It's built on Apple's AlarmKit, which runs independently of the app, so even if you force-quit Anchor or your battery dies, the alarm will still fire and keep coming back until you scan or use an emergency override.

Snooze & the comeback

What happens if I ignore the alarm? Does it ever stop?
No. If you ignore it, the alarm keeps coming back until you scan or use an emergency override. You can buy a moment with snooze (0, 1, or 2). The only real silence is a scan or an override. That's the whole point: it won't let you roll over and fall back asleep.
Can I snooze Anchor, or do I have to get up right away?
You can set 0, 1, or 2 snoozes. Each one is a short pause, not an escape route. When they run out, the final silence is a scan or an emergency override.
What's Quiet Walk, and when would I use it?
Quiet Walk is an optional 60-second grace window you can enable per alarm. A brief quiet so you can get out of bed and walk to your code without the alarm blaring. Once the window closes, the ring comes back if you haven't scanned yet. Turn it off if you'd rather be jolted awake.

Blocking your apps

Can I use Anchor to block apps without setting an alarm?
Yes. App blocking works completely independently from alarms. You can block apps for a set duration, on a recurring schedule, or unlock-by-scan only — no alarm required.
What's the difference between the three blocking modes?
NOW locks are until you scan, or a set duration from 15 minutes to 3 hours. Timed NOW locks do not scan out early; an emergency override still works. Recurring schedules come in two flavors: Soft Dock lets you scan out early, Hold Fast holds until the window ends (override only). Alarm-linked blocks last 15 minutes to 8 hours, or until you unlock.
Can I block all apps, or only some?
You choose which apps to block. You can block a few strategic ones (social, games) or many — whatever helps you focus. Anchor doesn't block the whole phone.
Will I still get calls and texts while an app is blocked?
Yes. Anchor locks only the specific apps you choose — calls, texts, and the phone dialer stay available. The blocking is enforced through Apple's Screen Time / Family Controls framework, which handles communications separately from app access.
Can I set a post-wake app block to start automatically after I scan the alarm?
Yes. After you scan to dismiss an alarm, you can have a block auto-start for a duration you choose — a way to stay off your phone after you're actually awake.

Staying committed

What is Hardcore Mode and why would I use it?
Hardcore Mode prevents you from uninstalling Anchor while a block is running, making the commitment real: you can't panic-delete your way out of the protection you set for yourself. It's optional, released the instant your block ends, and designed for people who need an extra layer of accountability.
Can I uninstall Anchor to get out of an app block?
Only if you haven't turned on Hardcore Mode. When it's enabled, Anchor locks itself to your phone while a block is active — you can't delete it until the block ends on its own. Hardcore Mode is optional and off by default, so it's entirely your choice.
Can I turn off Hardcore Mode if I need to?
Not while a block is active — the toggle is locked to keep you honest. Once your block finishes, Hardcore Mode releases automatically and you're free to toggle it off anytime in Settings. If you have three monthly overrides left, you can also use one to escape a block immediately.
Can I change an alarm after I set it?
Yes. Saved alarms can be edited, turned off, or deleted until Set in Stone locks the time, two hours before that alarm rings. Uncancelable applies to a ringing alarm: the final silence is a scan or an emergency override.
What is Set in Stone?
Set in Stone is a setting on each alarm. It locks editing that alarm's time starting two hours before it goes off, so a half-asleep early wake cannot move the wake-up time. Until that window, saved alarms can still be edited, toggled, or deleted. It does not lock when you go to sleep, and it is not a rule that you can never edit a saved alarm.

When life happens

What if I have a genuine emergency and can't scan?
You have 3 emergency overrides per month (reset on the 1st) that work across both alarms and app blocks. Tap the emergency override button on the firing or locked screen, and a three-step confirmation will walk you through it. Only the third confirm uses one override — this deliberate friction is by design, so the button isn't a casual escape hatch.
How many times can I use the emergency override?
3 times per month, shared between alarms and blocks (e.g., you could use all 3 on alarms, or split them). Your count refills to 3 on the 1st of every month — there's no way to lose them mid-month if you've already used them.
Will I be trapped if I run out of overrides?
No. An emergency override is a deliberate escape hatch, not the only way out. You can scan a barcode or NFC tag to dismiss a ringing alarm, and Soft Dock blocks can scan out early. Overrides exist for the moments scanning is genuinely impossible. Anchor is not a life-safety or medical device.
Does Hardcore Mode lock me in if I have a real emergency?
You always have 3 monthly overrides, shared across both firing-screen emergencies and block unlocks. Each one gives you an immediate escape without scanning. They reset on the first of each month, so genuine emergencies won't strand you for long.

Plans & billing

How much does Anchor cost?
$9.99/month, $59.99/year, or $129.99 once for lifetime. No free trial. Apple bills through the App Store. Subscriptions do not support Family Sharing.
Can I try Anchor for free before buying?
No free trial. Plans are $9.99/month, $59.99/year, or $129.99 once. You can cancel anytime in iPhone Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions.
What's the best value: monthly, yearly, or lifetime?
The yearly plan ($59.99) saves about 50% compared to paying monthly. Lifetime ($129.99) is a one-time purchase, no subscription needed.
How do I cancel my Anchor subscription?
Open iPhone Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → find Anchor → tap Manage → Cancel Subscription. You can cancel anytime, even just after buying — no questions asked.
Can my whole family share one Anchor subscription?
No — each family member needs their own iPhone and their own subscription. But one optional Anchor Tag can pair with multiple people's phones, so you're only buying the tag once.

The Anchor Tag & your household

What's the difference between using a barcode and the Anchor Tag?
Both dismiss the alarm after a scan. Barcodes are free and instant — just point your phone at a household item. The Anchor Tag is a dedicated NFC accessory that offers a calmer, tap-to-dismiss experience without scanning, if you prefer that ritual.
Can multiple people use the same Anchor Tag?
Yes. One optional Anchor Tag can live with every iPhone in the household. Any readable NFC tag works for dismiss and unlock. A registered barcode still has to match.
Can my family use Anchor on the same iPhone?
Each person needs their own iPhone and installs Anchor separately. Everyone sets their own wake time, dismiss code, and app-blocking rules. A shared tag can pair with all of them at once if you buy one.
What happens to my alarms and blocks if I delete and reinstall the app?
Everything erases. Anchor stores all settings locally on your phone (no backup to iCloud or a server), so reinstalling is a fresh start — your alarms, app blocks, and dismiss code are all gone.
What if I accidentally delete the barcode or lose access to it?
You can register a new code anytime in Settings. You don't have to use the same barcode or tag forever — scan a different household object, register it, and you're set. Losing a barcode isn't a loss because it's just paper; losing an Anchor Tag means buying a new one.

Privacy, devices & launch

Where does Anchor store my alarm settings and dismiss code?
Entirely on your device — nowhere else. Your alarm times, your registered barcode or NFC tag, and all your app-blocking settings stay locally in your iPhone's storage, never sent to a server. Even your subscription is handled by Apple directly.
What data does Anchor collect about me?
None of your personal data. We don't track your wake times, which apps you're blocking, or what barcodes you scan. You choose your dismissal method in Settings once — that choice is yours and stays on your phone.
Why does Anchor need iOS 26.1?
Anchor uses Apple's AlarmKit framework, which is only available on iOS 26.1+. It's what allows the alarm to ring through Silent Mode and stay persistent. There's no Android version planned yet.
When can I download Anchor?
Anchor is coming to the App Store. There's no public listing to share yet. Join the waitlist on our website and we'll email you when it's live.
If my internet is down or I have no cell signal, will my alarm still ring?
Yes. Anchor's alarm and blocking are all local — no internet or cellular required. They run even in Airplane Mode.
How do I report a bug or get support?
Email hello@anchormorning.app. A human reads every message.

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