Ripple
Scrolling in Bed and Can't Sleep
You plan to watch a couple of videos before sleep and look up at 1 am, then drag through work the next day. Kids do it too, with the lights off and the phone under the blanket, and then they will not get up in the morning. The first part below is for adults setting a bedtime schedule on their own phone, and the second part is for parents setting a night schedule on a child's phone. Both Android and iPhone are covered.
Adults setting a bedtime schedule on their own phone
A schedule that runs past midnight
For example 23:00 to 7:00 the next morning. Short video, short drama and game apps close on time. A schedule can cross midnight and repeats by the day it starts.
Alarms and calls keep working
Only apps on your list are closed. Alarms, calls and sleep sound apps you leave off the list are not affected.
More scrolling means waiting first
Set a cooldown from 15 minutes to 2 hours. Lying in bed waiting, most people fall asleep. You can also give the unlock code to a partner or roommate.
Android: a daily amount too
On Android you can give one app a daily limit, such as 60 minutes of short videos. Use it up in the day and there is none left at night.
Android: WeChat without Channels and Moments
You can still answer family and work messages at night while Channels and Moments stay closed.
iPhone: the system blocks on time
On iOS 16 and later the system blocks the apps in the background, even if Ripple is swiped away.
Parents setting a night schedule on a child's phone
Earlier on school nights
For example 21:30 to 6:30 on school days for video and game apps, and a later one for Friday and Saturday.
The parent keeps the unlock code
A child who wants more time has to come and ask, so you do not have to collect the phone every night.
Changing the clock does nothing
On Android time is counted from device uptime, so moving the clock back does not unlock anything. See the clock change page. On iPhone the cooldown also runs on uptime.
Uninstalling does nothing either
On Android you can turn on uninstall protection on the phone itself. On iPhone enable the block on deleting apps so long press removal stops working. See the iPhone page.
Android: messaging stays open
Only WeChat Channels and Moments close, so the child can still message you at night.
Setup steps
Install Ripple
On Android install the v0.1.6 APK and turn on the accessibility service. On iPhone you need iOS 16 or later and Screen Time permission.
List the apps you open most in bed
Usually short video, short drama, live streaming and game apps. On Android WeChat can lose only Channels and Moments.
Set the bedtime schedule
For adults something like 23:00 to 7:00, for a child something like 21:30 to 6:30 on school days.
Set the cooldown and unlock code
For your own phone give the code to family. On a child's phone keep it yourself.
Turn on uninstall protection
Anti-Uninstall on Android, and the block on deleting apps on iPhone.
FAQ
I can't stop watching short videos before bed. How does Ripple help?
Put short video and short drama apps on the list and set a bedtime schedule such as 23:00 to 7:00. The apps close on time, and opening them early needs a cooldown wait or the unlock code.
Can a schedule cross midnight?
Yes. For example 23:00 to 7:00 the next morning, repeating by the day it starts.
Will my alarm still work?
Yes. Only apps on the list are closed, and alarms and calls keep working.
My child plays on the phone under the blanket. What should I set?
Set a school night schedule on the child's phone so video and game apps close on time, and keep the unlock code yourself. On Android changing the clock does nothing and uninstall protection is available. On iPhone the block on deleting apps stops long press removal.
Can weekends be later?
Yes. Schedules can be set per weekday, so Friday and Saturday can have a later one.
Does it cost money or need an account?
It is free with no ads and no account. Settings stay on the phone.