Kai · last updated 4 September 2026
Short version: Kai is a subscription that texts you about your screen time and locks apps you ask it to lock. You can cancel any time. It is a tool, not a guarantee.
Kai texts you over iMessage. If you install the Kai app and connect Apple Screen Time, Kai can see when the apps you chose cross a time threshold and can lock those apps for a period you agreed to, either by saying yes to a specific offer or under the standing deal you accepted in the conversation. Every lock ends on its own on your phone; you can end one early from the app or by telling Kai, and you can revoke Kai's Screen Time permission in iOS Settings at any time.
US$19.99 a month (or the equivalent shown to you in the app), billed to your Apple account as an auto-renewing in-app subscription, renewing monthly until you cancel. Cancel any time in iOS Settings › your name › Subscriptions, or from the link Kai sends when you text "cancel"; cancel at least 24 hours before the period ends to avoid the next charge. Older plans were charged by Stripe and are cancelled from the billing link Kai sends. Cancelling stops future charges; the current month is not refunded unless Apple's refund rules or the law where you live say otherwise.
Kai is not medical advice, therapy, or a safety device. Locks can fail and texts can be late, because they depend on your phone, Apple's frameworks and networks we do not control. Do not rely on a lock for anything important, and do not rely on Kai to reach you in an emergency.
Use your own phone number and your own phone. Do not use Kai to harass anyone. If you are paying with someone else's card, make sure they are fine with it.
We may change the service and these terms; we will tell you in the thread. We may end the service for you if you abuse it, with a refund of the unused part of the month. Our liability is limited to what you paid us in the last three months.
Text Kai, or write to the contact address on the App Store listing.