Terms of use
Last updated August 14, 2026
The short version: Cairn is a one-time purchase, it runs entirely on your iPhone, and it collects nothing. You own your copy. If it isn't for you, Apple's refund process applies and we won't get in the way.
What you're buying
Cairn is free to use in full for one month from first launch. After that, a single non-consumable purchase unlocks it permanently on the Apple ID that bought it. There is no subscription and no recurring charge of any kind.
What happens if you don't buy it
Nothing is taken away from you and nothing is held hostage. Every block you already made keeps working, and you can still open, turn off, or delete any of them at the cost you set. There's also a one-tap option to switch every block off and unblock your apps, and it will always be free.
What the unlock buys is making new blocks, editing existing ones, switching one back on, and setting up Vacation and Focus sessions.
Payment, refunds, and restoring
Apple handles the transaction. We never see your name, your card, or your Apple ID. Refunds are requested through Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com, and they're Apple's to grant. If you reinstall Cairn or set up a new iPhone, "Restore a previous purchase" on the unlock screen brings your copy back.
What Cairn does and doesn't promise
Cairn blocks apps using Apple's Screen Time frameworks. Those frameworks are Apple's, and their behaviour can change with an iOS update.
Cairn is a commitment device, not a security product. It's built to make breaking your own promise cost something, and it can't stop someone determined enough to delete the app. The block password is for a parent holding the key on a child's phone, and it only truly holds when paired with iOS Screen Time set to prevent app deletion.
Cairn is provided as is. We'll fix what we can and we'd rather hear about a problem than not, but we can't warrant that it will be uninterrupted or error-free, and we aren't liable for what you do or don't get done while using it.
Your data
There isn't any on our side. No account, no servers, no analytics in the app. See the privacy policy, which is short for the same reason.
Acceptable use
Don't use Cairn to restrict someone else's phone without their knowledge. The password feature exists for parents and guardians, and it says so plainly in the app.
Changes
If these terms change we'll update this page and the date at the top. A change never revokes a purchase you already made.
Questions
Email support@hytimesgroup.com and a real person will answer.