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Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

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Re: Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

#151
My approach for iPhone:

- Set time limits on apps. - Block App Store. - Set a Screen Time pin, then forget it.

Downside: if you need to install a new app, you need to do a iTunes backup, factory reset and restore the backup,. Also apps won't continue to update with this approach.

Worth it though. I don't miss wasting 10-20 hours a week on brain rot apps.

Re: Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

#152

My approach for iPhone: - Set time limits on apps. - Block App Store. - Set a Screen Time pin, then forget it. Downside: if you need to install a new app, you need to do a iTunes backup, factory reset and restore the backup,. Also apps won't continue to update with this approach. Worth it though. I don't miss wasting 10-20 hours a week on brain rot apps.

Why have the brain rot apps installed at all?

Re: Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

#153
post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I understand the sentiment from a user's perspective, I really do. I have been totally burned out by having to maintain all my free apps in the Play Store though, lately. Even a simple non-internet-using app needs an update every year and needs to comply with new bullshit policies every few months. It has totally changed my opinion on free vs paid apps. I still despise subscription models, but I absolutely understand…

Agree. I had a free app with 100000 downloads, no ads and 4.5 rating on Play store, it is no longer there because I got fed up with Google's nagging. If I will do free things going forward, I will do them outside closed ecosystems.

It is economically better for google if your free app is gone and someone makes a paid app or an app with ads...

Re: Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

#154
post #24

For me the only really useful intervention was getting a black and white e-ink Android smartphone. I started to read a book per month and my short video watching time was decimated. I got the Bigme Hibreak which isn’t the worst, but lacks recent android versions. Gives me hours of my life back every day, compared to the phone addiction I experience with my lcd colour screen smartphone

I'm surprised there are so few on the market. The reason I gave up on Nokia in 2020 was a handful of apps: taxi, maps, messengers.

All of that would perfectly work on e-ink. Instead I got a Pixel and after four years I have attention span of a squirrel.

Really have to do something about it, will try grayscale for now.

Re: Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

#155
post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

how do you listen to music then?

I'm genuinely amazed that this question exists, but then I grew up with radio, then CDs, then MP3 players.

It is not physically possible to listen to music without paying $100/mo to Verizon or AT&T and $12/mo to Spotify.

Re: Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

#156
post #111

I just deleted an app a month until I was happy. My phone got so boring after a few months of this I started forgetting it when leaving home. Ended up using it so little on the go, wifi was enough and canceled my cell phone plan. Been four years since I had cell service or regularly carried any internet capable devices and I have never been happier. My anxiety has plummeted and my attention span and productivity have…

Is this the new "we don't have a TV in this house?"

Re: Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

#158
post #111

I just deleted an app a month until I was happy. My phone got so boring after a few months of this I started forgetting it when leaving home. Ended up using it so little on the go, wifi was enough and canceled my cell phone plan. Been four years since I had cell service or regularly carried any internet capable devices and I have never been happier. My anxiety has plummeted and my attention span and productivity have…

A phone often is necessary if you run into issues while being outside. Let's not ignore the importance of being able to call for help if necessary. Can't blame the phone for yourself not being able to detach properly.

Re: Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

#160
post #71

Nothing for iOS?

On iOS it's simply impossible to implement. There is no way you can display an app over other apps after unlocking. I tried to implement something similar, like a widget, but that's a completely different app. Unfortunately, such an app is possible only on Android.

After unlock is probably impossible. But open app over app is possible with one sec and shortcuts.
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