Block&Read app icon Block&Read

Terms of Service

Last updated: July 12, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of Block&Read ("the App"), an iOS application developed and operated by Nicolas Gula ("we", "us", "our"). By downloading, installing, or using the App, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the App.

1. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use the App. By using it, you represent that you meet this requirement and that you can form a binding agreement under the laws of your jurisdiction.

2. The Service

Block&Read is a self-discipline reading tool for iPhone. It lets you choose apps to block using Apple's Screen Time (Family Controls) framework, and unblocks them once you read a number of pages or minutes you set. It also includes an EPUB reader, a catalog of public-domain classics, reading statistics, reminders, and optional automatic blocking schedules.

Block&Read is a personal habit tool, not a security, parental-control, or content-filtering product. Blocking relies on Apple's system frameworks and your device settings, and it can be circumvented (for example, by removing Screen Time permission or uninstalling the App). We do not guarantee that blocking cannot be bypassed.

3. No accounts — your device and iCloud

The App has no user accounts and requires no sign-up or login. Your reading activity, progress, library, and settings are stored on your device and, if you enable iCloud, backed up to your own private iCloud (Apple's CloudKit and iCloud Drive). We operate no servers and have no access to your data. You are responsible for maintaining access to your Apple Account and device.

4. Subscriptions and payments

The App is free to download and includes optional auto-renewing subscriptions ("Premium") that unlock additional features (such as blocking unlimited apps, importing your own EPUBs, additional themes, reading insights, iCloud backup of your books, automatic schedules, and online book search).

  • Premium is offered on a weekly plan (which may include a free trial) and a yearly plan. The exact price, currency, and any trial are shown to you in the App at the time of purchase and may vary by region.
  • All payments are processed by Apple through your Apple Account. We never receive or have access to your payment information.
  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in iOS Settings → your name → Subscriptions. If a free trial is offered, any unused portion is forfeited when you purchase the subscription.
  • Refunds are handled by Apple in accordance with Apple's policies. We are not able to issue refunds directly.

5. Acceptable use

You agree not to: (a) reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract the source code of the App except as permitted by law; (b) use the App in violation of any applicable law or of Apple's terms; (c) interfere with or disrupt the App or the third-party services it relies on; or (d) misuse the public book libraries the App connects to.

6. Your content

The App lets you import your own EPUB files. You are solely responsible for the books you import and must have the legal right to use them. Your imported files remain yours; we claim no ownership. You grant the App only the technical permissions needed to store, display, and (if you enable it) back up those files to your own iCloud. We do not access, share, or transmit your imported files to us or any third party.

7. Books and third-party content

Books offered within the App are public-domain works provided by third-party libraries — Standard Ebooks and Project Gutenberg (searched via the Gutendex API) — and are downloaded directly from their servers, "as is". We do not own, edit, host, or guarantee the availability, accuracy, completeness, or quality of that content. Your use of those works may also be subject to the terms of those libraries.

8. Third-party services

The App relies on services provided by Apple, including the App Store and StoreKit (payments), iCloud/CloudKit (backup), Screen Time / Family Controls (blocking), and alarms and notifications. Your use of those services is governed by Apple's own terms and privacy policy. We are not responsible for third-party services.

9. Intellectual property

The App itself — its software, design, name, and branding — is owned by Nicolas Gula and is protected by intellectual-property laws. These Terms grant you a limited, personal, non-transferable, non-exclusive license to use the App on devices you own or control, consistent with Apple's Licensed Application End User License Agreement (EULA).

10. Disclaimers

The App is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose. We do not warrant that the App will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that blocking, reminders, or backups will function without fault. The App is not a medical, security, or parental-control product and should not be relied on as such.

11. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Nicolas Gula shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of data, missed notifications, failed blocking, or lost time, arising from your use of the App. Where liability cannot be excluded, it is limited to the amount you paid for the App in the twelve months before the claim.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Nicolas Gula from any claims or demands arising out of your misuse of the App, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party (including regarding books you import).

13. Termination

You may stop using the App at any time by deleting it, which removes its local data from your device. You can remove your iCloud backup from iOS Settings, and cancel any subscription through Apple. We may suspend or discontinue the App, or any feature, at any time. Because the App has no accounts, we do not "terminate" users individually.

14. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The updated version will be posted at this address with a new "Last updated" date. Continued use of the App after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

15. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles, and any dispute shall be subject to the courts of Montevideo, Uruguay — except where mandatory consumer-protection laws of your country of residence grant you rights that cannot be waived, which continue to apply.

16. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Email blockandread.app@gmail.com.