ScreenBreak: Effortful App Blocker

I built ScreenBreak because traditional app blockers never worked well for me. Hard blocks felt too rigid — either I locked myself out completely, or I tapped Ignore Limit and kept scrolling. There was no middle ground. But in real life, we do sometimes need to open addictive apps — to search something, reply to someone, check updates. The problem isn’t the intentional use; it’s the unconscious, endless scrolling that follows. Soft blocking creates a balance: you can still access the app when needed, but you must put in effort, which naturally filters out mindless usage. After nearly a year of iteration, I designed multiple flexible ways for ScreenBreak to activate:

• Schedule Block – block during certain hours
• App Launch Limit – block after too many opens
• Usage Budget Limit – block after hitting time caps (daily or hourly) When a block triggers, you must complete a quick challenge — tapping fast, shaking your phone, drawing a circle, etc. Win for a short access window; fail, and the urge usually fades. I’d love your feedback on challenge design and which blocking rules fit your habits best. Thanks for checking it out!