An Unrot alternative that only counts steps
Unrot and Schlep both lock the apps you pick, like TikTok and Instagram, until you earn time on them. The difference is what earns it. Unrot takes several kinds of activity. Schlep takes steps.
How they differ
Unrot's App Store listing says walking, reading, lifting, cleaning your room and doing the dishes earn coins, and coins unlock your apps. You start a timer or take a photo when you finish a habit. The listing does not say how many steps earn a coin.
Schlep counts steps and nothing else. At the default rate, 1,000 steps earn 10 minutes on your locked apps. The Easier rate gives 15 minutes per 1,000 steps and Strict gives 5. Every step counts from the first one, with no daily goal to clear. Easy mode starts each day with 30 free minutes, and Hard mode starts at zero.
Unrot, Schlep and Steppin side by side
| App | How it unlocks | Price |
|---|---|---|
| UnrotUnrot OU. 56,934 ratings. | Walking, reading, workouts and chores earn coins. Coins unlock your apps. | Subscription required. Plans listed from $9.99 to $69.99 |
| SchlepRK Labs, LLC. 3 ratings. | Steps only. 1,000 steps for 10 minutes on your locked apps. Easier gives 15, Strict gives 5. | $9.99 a month or $29.99 a year |
| SteppinBoston Venture Studio. 156 ratings. | Steps only. 100 steps for 1 minute of screen time, and you can change the goal. | Free |
Is there a free version of Unrot?
The App Store lists Unrot as free to download. Its listing also says an active subscription is required to use the features it describes. It shows ten purchase rows from $9.99 to $69.99, all named Full Access or similar, and it does not say which are monthly and which are yearly. The price you see in the app may differ.
Steppin is the free option for walking. Its listing shows no purchases, and steppin.net says it has no paid tier and needs no account. Schlep costs $9.99 a month or $29.99 a year, billed by Apple. There is no free version.
Which one to pick
- Unrot if you want reading, studying, workouts or chores to earn time as well as walking.
- Schlep if you want steps to earn time at a rate you can see. At the default rate, 30 minutes on your locked apps costs 3,000 steps.
- Steppin if you want to walk for screen time and pay nothing.
How Schlep spends time
Schlep runs on Apple's Screen Time system. You spend minutes on your locked apps 10 at a time, from the locked app's lock screen or from the Home tab. There is no Ignore Limit button. Your step count stays on your iPhone unless you send us a diagnostic report yourself. Schlep is for iPhone only. Our comparison of walk to unlock apps for iPhone covers more apps, and how Schlep locks your apps until you walk covers the lock in more detail.
Questions
- Is there a free version of Unrot?
- The US App Store lists Unrot as free to download, and the listing says an active subscription is required for the features it describes. We checked the listing on October 15, 2026 and did not open the app, so we can't say what the app shows before you pay.
- What are apps like Unrot but free?
- Steppin is the free app we found that unlocks apps with steps. Unrot and Schlep both need a subscription.
- Does Unrot count steps?
- Its listing says walking earns coins. It does not give a number of steps per coin. Schlep gives a fixed number: 1,000 steps for 10 minutes on your locked apps by default.
- How much does Unrot cost compared with Schlep?
- Unrot's listing shows plans from $9.99 to $69.99, and the prices vary. Schlep is $9.99 a month or $29.99 a year.