Five Before — Support
Five Before locks the apps you choose at each of the five daily prayer times — once you pray, your apps unlock. Below are answers to the most common questions. Can't find yours? Email ahamzasahl@gmail.com — we usually reply within 48 hours, insha'Allah.
Getting started
How does the app blocking work?
Five Before uses Apple's Screen Time technology. When you finish onboarding, you grant Screen Time permission and pick the apps to lock. At each prayer time (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) those apps lock automatically. To unlock: open any blocked app → tap "let's pray 🤲" on the lock screen → open the notification → complete your prayer in Five Before. Your apps stay unlocked until the next prayer time.
What counts as "praying" to unlock?
You choose each time: a guided dhikr (SubhanAllah ×33, Alhamdulillah ×33, Allahu Akbar ×34 on the tasbih counter), or confirming you prayed salah and sealing it with a short authentic dua. Both unlock your apps and count toward your streak.
Prayer times
My prayer times look wrong.
Prayer times are calculated on your device from your location. Check: (1) Profile → refresh location, (2) Profile → calculation method — different regions use different conventions (Muslim World League, ISNA, Umm al-Qura, Egyptian, Karachi, Dubai, Turkey/Diyanet). Pick the one your local mosque follows.
Can I disable locking for certain prayers?
Yes — Lock List tab → toggle individual prayers on/off, or use the master switch to pause blocking entirely.
Blocking issues
Apps aren't locking.
(1) Make sure Screen Time permission is granted: iPhone Settings → Screen Time. (2) Open Five Before at least every 2–3 days — iOS requires the app to refresh its lock schedule. (3) Check the Lock List tab: blocking switch on, apps selected. If your app version shows "blocking not available yet", you're on the notifications-only release — blocking activates automatically in an update.
I'm locked out and genuinely need an app right now.
Lock List tab → emergency unlock. You have 3 per month — use them wisely. 🤲
Subscription
How does the free trial work?
Your first 7 days are free. After that the subscription renews at the yearly price shown on the paywall unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends. Payment is handled entirely by Apple.
How do I cancel?
iPhone Settings → your name → Subscriptions → Five Before → Cancel. Cancelling during the trial means you won't be charged. You keep access until the end of the paid period.
I subscribed but the app says I'm not premium / I got a new phone.
Profile tab → restore purchases (make sure you're signed in with the same Apple ID). Still stuck? Email us with your purchase receipt.
Refunds
Purchases go through Apple, so refunds do too: reportaproblem.apple.com.
Account & data
How do I delete my account and data?
Profile tab → Delete Account. This permanently removes your profile, prayer journal, and streaks from our servers. Deleting the app from your phone also removes all Screen Time restrictions instantly.
Does anyone see which apps I block or where I am?
No. Apple's Screen Time design means even we can't see which apps you selected, and your location never leaves your device — it's only used on-phone to calculate prayer times. Full details: privacy policy.
Contact
Feedback, ideas, bug reports, dua requests: ahamzasahl@gmail.com