Favorite app blocker?
I'm thinking about building a new app blocker to reduce screen time. I want it to help with creating healthy habits rather than being so restrictive. Every time I use Opal or Freedom, I get frustrated and end up working my way around the block. I feel like I'm failing and end up just deleting the blocking app.
Basically, I want to make it feel like I'm winning if I choose to block the apps. It would be the dashboard for all your distracting apps, so you don't click on the colorful apps habitually, but instead, you would go through this as a portal to apps you want to limit. It would kind of look like the UI of the Dump Phone launchers. But before you open the app, it adds a bit more friction like solving a math problem or unscrambling a word.
You would set a timer for how long you want to use the distracting app, then I'd send a notification for you to lock the app once that time passes. The distracting app will still be unlocked until you go back to my app. This way, you feel in control and proud when you do decide to lock it again.
There would still be options to set strict blocking schedules for those who want it, but I feel like I do need to use some of these apps I just want to use them less and with more awareness.
Has anyone found anything like this, or is this something you'd use? What features would you want it to have?
Posted Aug 3, 2025, 3:01 PM UTC