Frequently Asked Questions
Everything schools need to know about getting started with screenfree lockable phone pouches. If your question isn't here, email matt@screenfree.au or request a sample pack.
HOW IT WORKS
How does the pouch work?
Each student places their phone inside a screenfree pouch and locks it using a simple magnetic lock. The pouch stays with the student throughout the day. Phones are only unlocked at staff-controlled unlocking points using a magnet or wall-mounted station. No apps, no charging, no tech required.
What's the difference between the standard pouch and the signal-blocking pouch?
The standard pouch locks the phone away so students can't access it. The signal-blocking pouch does the same, plus it uses a Faraday cage lining to fully block all wireless signals. That means no hotspotting, no tethering, no Bluetooth, no notifications. The phone is completely disconnected while sealed.
What does signal-blocking actually prevent?
Signal-blocking prevents the phone from sending or receiving any wireless signals. This includes mobile data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and hotspot tethering. In practice, it stops students hotspotting to other devices, screen mirroring to smartwatches, and receiving notifications or calls. The phone is effectively invisible to a signal-blocking pouch while it's properly sealed.
Do students keep their phones with them?
That's set by the school. Most schools have students carry the locked pouch with them throughout the day. Some prefer pouches to be stored in bags or lockers. Both approaches work. The key is that students can't access the phone until it's unlocked by staff at the designated time.
What happens if a student needs access to their phone during the day?
That's determined by your school's policy. The system is flexible enough to fit whatever policy your school has in place. For specific situations like emergencies, staff can unlock individual pouches in a few seconds using the portable magnet.
GETTING STARTED
How long does it take to set up?
Minutes. There's no app, no dashboard, no IT setup, and no complex training required. Staff and students understand the routine quickly. Most schools are fully operational on day one.
What phone sizes does the pouch fit?
The pouch fits all standard smartphones, including larger models like the iPhone Pro Max range and Samsung Ultra series. The neoprene material stretches slightly to accommodate different sizes while keeping the phone secure.
How do we trial screenfree before committing?
Start with a sample pack: two pouches and one unlocking magnet. It gives your leadership team and staff a chance to test the lock, feel the build quality, and understand the routine before involving students. From there, most schools move to an entry-level pilot or a small first order. Minimum quantities may apply depending on pouch type, branding, and shipping.
What's included in a pilot?
Pouches (standard or signal-blocking), unlocking magnets or a wall-mounted unlocking station, a quick-start guide, and direct support from the founder if you need it. Optional onboarding guidance is available for larger rollouts.
Can I purchase pouches directly without doing a pilot?
Yes. Some schools know exactly what they need and order directly. Others prefer to start small. Either approach works.
How quickly can we get started?
Sample packs ship within days. Larger orders depend on quantity and whether you want custom branding. Standard pouch orders are usually faster than custom-branded orders. Timing depends on quantity and current stock.
Pricing and purchasing
How much do the pouches cost?
Pricing depends on quantity, pouch type (standard or signal-blocking), and whether you want custom branding. Email matt@screenfree.au with your school's details and you'll get a quote the same day.
Is it a one-time purchase or a subscription?
One-time purchase. You buy the pouches and they're yours. No subscriptions, no ongoing fees, no lock-in contracts. If you need more pouches later, you simply reorder.
Can we get custom branding with our school crest?
​Yes. Custom branding is available with your school's crest, colours, and name printed on the pouch using a heat-transfer process. This is popular with schools that want the pouches to feel like part of the school identity rather than an external product. Minimum quantities and pricing tiers apply.
Durability and practicalities
How durable are the pouches?
The pouches are made from neoprene with a soft interior lining that protects the phone from scratches and minor impacts. The magnetic lock mechanism is built into the pouch and designed for regular school use.
What if a pouch is damaged or a student tries to tamper with it?
The lock mechanism is tamper-resistant. If a student forces a pouch open, the damage is visible, which makes accountability straightforward. Replacement pouches are available for individual units that are damaged beyond use.
Can students damage their phone inside the pouch?
The neoprene material provides cushioning and the soft lining prevents scratches. Normal daily handling is well within what the pouch is designed for. It's comparable to a standard phone sleeve in terms of protection.
Signal-blocking specifics
How does the signal-blocking actually work?
The signal-blocking pouch contains a Faraday cage lining — a conductive material that blocks electromagnetic signals from passing through. When the magnetic flap is fully sealed, no wireless signal can get in or out. This is the same principle used in forensic evidence bags and secure communications environments.
Does the signal-blocking drain the phone's battery?
The phone may use slightly more battery while searching for a signal, similar to when you're in an area with no reception. In practice, the difference over a school day is minimal — most students still have plenty of battery when the pouch is unlocked at the end of the day.
What about emergency situations?
Schools handle emergencies through their existing communication systems, not through student phones. In an emergency, staff can unlock pouches in seconds using the unlocking magnet. The school's duty of care and emergency protocols don't change.
Does every school need signal-blocking?
No. Standard lockable pouches work well for many schools, especially as a starting point. Signal-blocking is most valuable where hotspotting is a known issue, where the school wants complete disconnection during the day, or where policy requires devices to be fully off the network.
How screenfree compares
What's the difference between screenfree and Yondr?
Yondr pioneered the phone pouch category and is widely used globally. screenfree takes a more flexible, school-led approach: one-time purchasing with no required program commitment, local founder-led support, custom branding options, and signal-blocking school pouches designed to address hotspotting, smartwatch connectivity, tethering, and other connectivity loopholes during the school day. For a detailed comparison, see our Yondr alternative page.
Why choose a lockable pouch over lockers or bags?
​Lockers require infrastructure, create bottlenecks between classes, and don't prevent hotspotting. "Off and away" in bags relies on trust and is difficult to enforce consistently. A lockable pouch gives staff a verifiable, low-conflict enforcement tool. The student carries the pouch, so there's no confiscation, no locker logistics, and no argument about whether the phone was really off.
Phone bans in Australian schools
Is there a phone ban in Australian schools?
Yes. Mobile phone bans are now in place across Australian public schools in every state and territory except the ACT, which allows schools to set their own policy. Victoria led the way in 2020, followed by Western Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory. South Australia and New South Wales introduced bans in 2023, and Queensland requires phones to be switched off and "away for the day." Each state's policy varies in detail, but the direction is consistent: phones should not be accessible during school hours.
Do private and independent schools need to follow the ban?
Government school bans don't apply to private and independent schools, but many are adopting similar policies voluntarily. The research on phone-related distraction, mental health, and classroom disruption applies regardless of sector — and parent expectations are shifting. Lockable phone pouches give independent schools a practical enforcement tool without waiting for a mandate.
How do lockable phone pouches support the ban?
Most state policies require phones to be "off and away" — but enforcement is left to individual schools, and compliance varies. A lockable pouch turns the policy into a system. It removes ambiguity, reduces staff conflict, and gives schools a visible, consistent way to enforce what's already required. It's the difference between a rule and a routine.
Where screenfree is used
Where are lockable phone pouches used?
Lockable phone pouch systems are now used by schools across 27+ countries worldwide. screenfree supports schools in Australia and overseas, including Singapore, New Zealand, the UAE, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and more. The product is the same globally, with custom branding and shipping tailored to each market.
Is screenfree only for schools?
​Schools are our primary market, but lockable phone pouches are also used at live music events, corporate meetings, courtrooms, school camps, and any environment where phone-free focus matters.
Is screenfree Australian-owned?
​Yes. screenfree is an Australian-founded and operated business based in Melbourne. All enquiries are handled directly by the founder.