Ripple
One More Episode Until 2 am
Video apps start the next episode a few seconds after the last one ends. You plan to watch one episode at 10 pm and look up after 1 am. Kids do the same thing: they open cartoons on Saturday morning and are still watching at lunch. Ripple can set how long video apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, iQIYI or Bilibili can be used each day and close them at bedtime. The first part below is for adults, the second part is for parents, and both Android and iPhone are covered.
Daily limits (Android, Chinese interface)
Adults: one episode turns into five
Give each video app a daily time limit
In Daily limits on Ripple for Android, tap Netflix or YouTube and set 90 minutes a day, about two episodes. Any length from 1 minute to 12 hours works in 1 minute steps. When it is used up the app will not open until midnight.
Close them at bedtime
Add a focus schedule from 11:30 pm to 7 am with your video apps in it. They close on time even if some of today's limit is left.
Floating windows and picture-in-picture count too
Some people keep a show in a small window at work. A blocked video app in a floating window or picture-in-picture is blocked too, and the blocked side of a split screen gets covered. On OPPO phones a floating window is covered and its sound stops, though the window itself has to be closed by hand.
Busy week? Set 0 minutes
During a deadline or the week before an exam, set the app you cannot stop watching to 0 minutes so it never opens. Change it back when you are done.
If you tend to change settings back, use strict mode
With strict mode on, loosening rules needs the unlock code. The code is at least 8 digits and a roommate or partner can keep it. Strict mode also turns on Anti-Uninstall, and if the code is lost you can request removal and wait 72 hours.
iPhone: block by schedule
The iPhone version is v0.1.5 and has no daily limits, 0 minutes or strict mode. Put video apps into a bedtime schedule and iOS blocks them in the background. The unlock code works there too.
Parents: kids who cannot stop watching cartoons
Give a fixed amount of watching time
On a child's Android phone, give video apps 60 minutes a day, more on weekends if you like. When the time is used up the app does not open, and the child can see how much is left today.
Close them during homework and sleep
Add a weekday homework schedule from 6:30 to 9 pm and a sleep schedule from 9:30 pm to 7 am with the video apps in them.
YouTube for school and for cartoons
Ripple works on whole apps and cannot tell a lesson from a cartoon inside YouTube. You can leave YouTube with a daily time limit instead of closing it, and use other study apps during homework time.
Block them all day before exams
In the week before exams set video apps to 0 minutes, then change them back to an hour a day.
They cannot change settings or uninstall
With strict mode on, loosening rules needs the unlock code you keep, and Anti-Uninstall turns on. Android timing uses device uptime, so changing the clock does not help. See the clock change page.
iPhone: block by schedule
On a child's iPhone, put video apps into homework and sleep schedules and turn on the block on deleting apps so long press removal does not work. See the iPhone page.
Setup steps (Android v0.1.10)
Install or update to v0.1.10
Install the latest APK and turn on the accessibility service. With an older version, update from Settings › About › Check for updates and your rules stay.
Set daily limits for video apps
Set each video app on its own. They can have different limits.
Add a bedtime schedule
Put video apps into a schedule from 11:30 pm to 7 am. On a child's phone add a homework schedule too.
Set the unlock code and strict mode if you want
Give your own code to family or a friend. On a child's phone keep the code yourself. With strict mode on, loosening rules needs the code.
FAQ
How do I stop binge watching on my phone?
In Ripple for Android v0.1.10 give video apps a daily time limit from 1 minute to 12 hours and add a bedtime schedule from 11:30 pm to 7 am. If you tend to change settings, turn on strict mode and give the unlock code of at least 8 digits to family. iPhone v0.1.5 can block by schedule.
My kid watches cartoons all weekend. What can I do?
On a child's Android phone give video apps 60 minutes a day, add homework and sleep schedules, and set 0 minutes before exams. Turn on strict mode so only your unlock code can loosen rules, which also turns on Anti-Uninstall. On a child's iPhone use schedules and the block on deleting apps.
Can Ripple turn off autoplay?
No. Ripple cannot change settings inside other apps. Turn autoplay off in the video app's own settings. Ripple makes the app stop opening when the time is up.
Does it work on a TV or computer?
No. Ripple runs on the phone and works on apps on that phone.
Does iPhone have daily limits?
Not yet. iPhone v0.1.5 has schedules, the block on deleting apps, clock change protection and the unlock code. Daily limits, 0 minutes and strict mode are Android only.
Does it cost money or need an account?
It is free with no ads and no account. Settings stay on the phone.