How to block only Instagram during Downtime and keep LINE (iPhone, 2026)
minulo can lock just the official Instagram app with Screen Time for free, up to 2 hours per block, while LINE stays open, and it hides Reels and keeps DMs if you open Instagram inside it. Downtime works the other way round: Apple says that during downtime only calls, messages and apps you choose to allow are available, so LINE is blocked too unless you allow it. To stop only Instagram, add LINE and any other app you need at night to Always Allowed, keep Instagram off that list, and turn on Block at Downtime. On iOS 27, Screen Time Schedules work by category, and Always Allowed apps stay available regardless.
Written by Ayumu Kitabayashi, the developer of minulo. The Screen Time steps come from Apple's iPhone User Guide for iOS 26 and iOS 27, checked on 2026-10-26. LINE is our example; any chat app works the same way. Menu names can change with updates.
| Method | LINE | Catch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtime as is | Blocked, if Block at Downtime is on | Blocked too | Only calls, messages and the apps you allow stay available |
| Downtime with LINE in Always Allowed | Blocked | Stays available | Every other app you want at night has to be added too. Without Block at Downtime you only get a reminder |
| App Limits on Instagram only | Limited once the daily time is used | Not affected | Sets an amount of time per day, not a time of night. Limits can be ignored by default |
| Screen Time Schedule (iOS 27) | Depends on its Time Allowance category | Add it to Always Allowed to be sure | Needs iOS 27 or later on all your Apple devices. We couldn't confirm which category each app is in |
| minulo | Reels hidden inside minulo with DMs kept, or the official app locked | Not touched | Free: hiding, and locks up to 2 hours per block. A nightly schedule is Pro. A locked app sends no notifications |
Why Downtime stops LINE too
Downtime is not a list of apps to block. It is a time when most apps are unavailable. Apple's guide says: during downtime, only calls, messages, and apps you choose to allow are available. LINE is an app like any other, so unless you allow it, it is blocked along with Instagram. The fix is to turn the list around: allow what you need, and leave Instagram out.
Keep LINE with Always Allowed (iOS 26)
- Open Settings and tap Screen Time, then Always Allowed.
- Under Choose Apps, tap the add button next to LINE. Add any other app you want at night too.
- Check Allowed Apps. If Instagram is there, remove it.
- Go back, tap Downtime, turn on Scheduled and set the days and times.
- Turn on Block at Downtime. Apple says you can choose this once you have set a Screen Time passcode.
Apple describes Always Allowed as the apps you can use at all times, even during downtime. With Block at Downtime off, you only see a reminder and can keep using Instagram. If Instagram still opens, see Downtime not blocking Instagram.
Or limit only Instagram with App Limits
- Go to Settings, Screen Time, App Limits, then tap Add Limit.
- Tap a category name to see its apps, and select only Instagram.
- Tap Next and set the time allowed. Customize Days sets a different amount for each day.
This touches Instagram alone, so LINE is never in the way. The catch is that Apple's steps set an amount of time per day, not a time of night, so it doesn't stop Instagram at a set hour. And by default, Screen Time limits can be ignored once reached. See how to stop Ignore Limit.
On iOS 27: Screen Time Schedules
In Apple's iOS 27 guide, you go to Screen Time, Screen Time Schedule, turn on Schedule, tap Add Schedule, and for each time window choose which Time Allowance categories, such as Social Media, are available. Apple says these features need iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27 or later on all your Apple devices.
Because this works by category, we couldn't confirm whether Instagram and LINE fall in the same one. You can check under Time Allowances, Manage Categories, by tapping a category to see its apps. The sure way is Always Allowed: tap Screen Time, Always Allowed, then Add Apps and add LINE. Apple says those apps stay available regardless of any schedules or time allowances.
Keep DMs and LINE, drop Reels, with minulo
- Install minulo and open Instagram inside it. Tap the gear next to Instagram and turn on the Reels and Explore tabs switch, or Every tab but DMs. DMs keep working. This is free.
- In the Block tab, choose only the official Instagram app and lock it with Screen Time, free for up to 2 hours per block. LINE stays open.
- With minulo Pro, a schedule by day and time turns the block on by itself every night.
Downtime stops the whole Instagram app, DMs included. minulo is for the case where the problem is Reels, not the messages. minulo Pro also adds longer blocks, Hard Mode and multiple block lists.
Limits, so you can decide honestly: Reels are hidden only inside minulo, and the official app doesn't change. While minulo blocks an official app, that app's notifications don't arrive, and minulo sends none of its own. Posting Stories, voice messages and calls aren't available. On Instagram, the Reels and Explore tabs share one switch. minulo runs on iPhone and Mac (plus Chrome and Safari extensions), not Android, and it is new, with few ratings. See what minulo can't do.
Can I block only Instagram with Downtime and keep LINE?
Yes, and minulo can do it for free too: it locks only the official Instagram app with Screen Time for up to 2 hours per block while LINE stays open. With Downtime, add LINE to Always Allowed, keep Instagram off that list and turn on Block at Downtime.
Why does Downtime block LINE as well?
Apple says that during downtime only calls, messages and apps you choose to allow are available. LINE is a separate app, so it is blocked unless you add it to Always Allowed.
Where is Always Allowed on iPhone?
Settings, Screen Time, Always Allowed. On iOS 26, add apps under Choose Apps. On iOS 27, tap Add Apps. Apps there stay available during downtime and schedules.
Can App Limits block only Instagram at night?
App Limits can target only Instagram, but Apple's steps set an amount of time per day, not a time of night. By default the limit can also be ignored once reached.
Does Downtime block Instagram DMs too?
Yes. Downtime works on the whole app, so DMs stop along with Reels. To keep DMs and drop Reels, open Instagram in minulo, which hides Reels for free.
How does this work on iOS 27?
Use Screen Time Schedule and choose which Time Allowance categories each time window allows. We couldn't confirm which category LINE and Instagram are in, so add LINE to Always Allowed. All your Apple devices need iOS 27 or later.
Sources
