Ripple
Scrolling Through Every Commute, and Kids on the Phone on the Way to School
Many people spend an hour or more a day on trains and buses, open short videos as soon as they sit down, and get off with sore eyes and the book they meant to read still closed. Once kids have their own phone, they often walk to and from school watching videos or playing games, even while crossing the street. The first part below is for adults setting commute hours on their own phone, and the second part is for parents setting school travel hours on a child's phone. Both Android and iPhone are covered.
Adults setting commute hours on their own phone
Close short videos on the way to work
Put TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Reddit on the list and close them from 7:30 to 9:00 and 18:00 to 19:30 on workdays, for example. The ride is free for a podcast, an ebook or a rest.
Maps and transit passes keep working
Only the apps you list are closed. Maps, music, podcasts and your transit or wallet app stay untouched if you leave them off the list.
Android: WeChat without Moments and Channels
You can still answer messages on the way, and only Moments and Channels stay closed during commute hours.
Android: 0 minutes for the hardest one
On Android v0.1.6 you can set an app's daily limit to 0 minutes so it stays closed all day. With strict mode on, rules can be loosened only with the unlock code of at least 8 digits, Anti-Uninstall turns on with it, and a forgotten code can be lifted by a request after 72 hours.
iPhone: the system blocks on time
On iOS 16 and later the system blocks listed apps in the background on schedule, even if Ripple is swiped away. The iPhone version is v0.1.5 and does not have daily limits or strict mode yet. Use a cooldown or give the unlock code to a family member.
Parents setting school travel hours on a child's phone
Games and short videos closed on the way
For example games and short video apps closed from 7:00 to 8:00 and 16:30 to 18:00 on school days, so your child looks up while walking.
Calls and messages stay open
Leave the phone app, messages and maps off the list. Your child can still call you when they arrive and check the map if they get lost.
Android: one game closed all day
For a game you do not want your child playing, set the daily limit to 0 minutes. With strict mode on, the child cannot change the rules on the phone.
Clock changes and uninstalling do nothing
On Android time is counted from device uptime, so moving the clock back does not unlock anything, and uninstall protection is available. See the clock change page. On iPhone the block on deleting apps stops long press removal. See the iPhone page.
Android: WeChat chats stay open
On Android only WeChat Moments and Channels close, so the child can still message parents.
Setup steps
Install Ripple
On Android install the v0.1.7 APK and turn on the accessibility service. On iPhone you need iOS 16 or later and Screen Time permission.
List the apps you cannot put down
Short video, game and social apps. Leave maps, calls, music and transit apps off the list.
Set commute or school travel hours
On Android schedules can differ by day of week, so school days and weekends can be set apart, and you can also set daily limits.
Set the unlock code
For your own phone give the code to family. On a child's phone keep it yourself. On Android you can also turn on strict mode.
Turn on uninstall protection
Anti-Uninstall on Android, and the block on deleting apps on iPhone.
FAQ
I need maps and my transit pass on the way. Will they be closed too?
No. Only apps on the list are closed, so maps and transit apps left off the list keep working.
I only want short videos closed and still need to reply on WeChat.
On Android WeChat can lose only Moments and Channels, and chats keep working.
My child needs to call me after school. Is that affected?
No. Leave calls and messages off the list and they always work.
What does 0 minutes mean?
On Android v0.1.6 an app with a 0 minute daily limit stays closed all day. The iPhone version v0.1.5 does not have daily limits yet.
Will my child change the clock or delete Ripple?
On Android changing the clock does nothing because timing uses device uptime, and uninstall protection is available. On iPhone the block on deleting apps stops long press removal.
Does it cost money or need an account?
It is free with no ads and no account. Settings stay on the phone.