Help

Support

Most questions are answered below. If yours isn't, email us.

Why isn't friction firing when I open Instagram?

Elaps uses Apple Shortcuts to detect when you open apps. If Instagram opens without friction, your Shortcut automation may be disabled or missing. Open the Shortcuts app, find "Elaps - Instagram," and make sure it's enabled. If it's missing, return to Elaps Settings → Apps → tap the app → Set up automation.

How do I add or remove an app?

In Elaps: Settings → Apps → Add app (or tap an app to remove it). Free tier allows one tracked app. Premium allows unlimited.

How does the friction curve work?

The wait gets longer based on how much you've used a tracked app today. Light use is 30 seconds. After 30 minutes total: 1 minute. After 1 hour: 3 minutes. After 2 hours: 12 minutes. After 3 hours: 15 minutes (the cap). Counters reset at midnight in your local time.

Why is the wait so long today?

Because you've already used the app a lot today. That's the design. The wait scales with cumulative use to make heavy use feel expensive. It resets at midnight.

How do I cancel my subscription?

iOS Settings → your name → Subscriptions → Elaps → Cancel Subscription. Apple handles all subscription management. You'll keep Premium until the end of the billing period.

How do I get a refund?

Refunds are processed by Apple, not by Elaps. Use Apple's "Report a Problem" page (reportaproblem.apple.com) and select Elaps from your purchase history. Apple makes the final decision.

Why does Elaps need Family Controls?

Family Controls is the iOS framework Elaps uses to apply the friction screen to your selected apps. Without it, Elaps cannot function. You grant the authorization to yourself.

Why does Elaps need a VPN?

Elaps uses an on-device DNS filter to block distracting websites. Apple categorizes DNS filters as VPN-style profiles, but Elaps doesn't route any traffic through external servers. Everything happens on your iPhone.

Can I customize the friction curve?

Yes, with Premium. Settings → Friction → Curve preset. Choose Gentle, Default, or Strict, or build a custom curve.

I got a new iPhone. How do I migrate?

Install Elaps, sign in with the same Apple ID, and your settings, configured apps, and counters sync from iCloud. You'll need to recreate the Shortcuts automations on the new device. Elaps will guide you.

How do I delete my account?

Settings → Account → Delete Account. This removes all your data from your iCloud private database. Subscriptions are managed separately by Apple in iOS Settings.

Will Elaps work on iPad or Android?

No. iPhone only, iOS 17 or later. The frameworks Elaps relies on don't exist on Android and behave differently on iPad.

Still stuck?

Most issues are best diagnosed with the debug info Elaps can attach for you. In Elaps: Settings → Help → Send debug info — this opens a pre-filled email. We respond within 1–2 business days.

support@elaps.app