I’m trying to be more mindful of my phone use, but it’s way too easy to fall into doomscrolling or app rabbit holes.
Any recs for apps that help with digital detox or screen time tracking?
I’ve been using One Sec for a few months now. It's actually made me stop and think before opening Instagram. It adds a quick breathing exercise (literally one second) every time you try to open a distracting app — and that tiny pause is shockingly effective at breaking the doomscroll cycle. I’ve canceled so many impulse openings just because of that moment of mindfulness.
That said, it’s not perfect. It only works after you’ve already tapped on the app, so it’s more of a “speed bump” than a true blocker. Also, if you’re not using the premium version, you’ll be limited on how many apps you can set it for. And it doesn’t integrate as deeply on Android as it does on iOS — a few of my Android friends said it’s glitchy or easy to bypass.
Still, if you're not ready to go full phone-free but want a smarter way to build awareness, One Sec is one of the gentlest and most effective nudges I’ve tried.
If you're serious about cutting back on screen time but don't want to go full flip phone, Opal is hands down the best app I’ve tried. It lets you block distracting apps (like Instagram, TikTok, Reddit) during scheduled “focus sessions” — and it’s hard to bypass once it’s active. You can customize different modes for work, sleep, personal time, etc., and it even gives you daily reports and “focus scores.”
What I like most is that it feels supportive, not punishing — like a productivity coach that’s not judging you. You can also join focus challenges and compete with friends, which weirdly keeps me accountable. Only downside is it uses a local VPN to work (which some people find iffy), but it’s been worth it for me. My screen time dropped from 6h+ to under 3h in a couple weeks. Highly recommend if willpower alone isn’t cutting it.
Apps that Help with Digital Detox
offers usage stats with insights
has an app blocking or focus mode
features a clean, non-cluttered interface
I’m trying to be more mindful of my phone use, but it’s way too easy to fall into doomscrolling or app rabbit holes. Any recs for apps that help with digital detox or screen time tracking?
I’ve been using One Sec for a few months now. It's actually made me stop and think before opening Instagram. It adds a quick breathing exercise (literally one second) every time you try to open a distracting app — and that tiny pause is shockingly effective at breaking the doomscroll cycle. I’ve canceled so many impulse openings just because of that moment of mindfulness.
That said, it’s not perfect. It only works after you’ve already tapped on the app, so it’s more of a “speed bump” than a true blocker. Also, if you’re not using the premium version, you’ll be limited on how many apps you can set it for. And it doesn’t integrate as deeply on Android as it does on iOS — a few of my Android friends said it’s glitchy or easy to bypass.
Still, if you're not ready to go full phone-free but want a smarter way to build awareness, One Sec is one of the gentlest and most effective nudges I’ve tried.
If you're serious about cutting back on screen time but don't want to go full flip phone, Opal is hands down the best app I’ve tried. It lets you block distracting apps (like Instagram, TikTok, Reddit) during scheduled “focus sessions” — and it’s hard to bypass once it’s active. You can customize different modes for work, sleep, personal time, etc., and it even gives you daily reports and “focus scores.”
What I like most is that it feels supportive, not punishing — like a productivity coach that’s not judging you. You can also join focus challenges and compete with friends, which weirdly keeps me accountable. Only downside is it uses a local VPN to work (which some people find iffy), but it’s been worth it for me. My screen time dropped from 6h+ to under 3h in a couple weeks. Highly recommend if willpower alone isn’t cutting it.