Ripple
Too long on the phone, for you and for your kid
Scrolling short videos, watching a show or playing a game, you rarely look up, and when you finally put the phone down your eyes feel dry and tired. Kids are the same, one cartoon after another until you call them a few times. Ripple for Android has Take a Break: once entertainment apps have been used for the stretch you set, they pause for a few minutes and then you can carry on. The first part below is for adults setting it for themselves, the second is for parents setting it on a child's phone, and both Android and iPhone are covered. Ripple only limits time on the phone. For eye discomfort or eyesight problems, please see an eye doctor.
Adults: an hour goes by without looking up
All entertainment apps count together
On Android open Settings › Eye Break › Take a Break Reminders and pick how long to use and how long to rest, for example 30 minutes of use and a 5 minute break. Use time can be 20 to 90 minutes or a custom value, and breaks are at least 3 minutes.
A countdown on the home screen
During a break entertainment apps will not open and the home screen shows how long is left, with a reminder to look into the distance. Brief switches do not reset the count, and resting long enough, screen off included, starts it over.
Set the hardest app on its own
In Daily limits tap an app to give it its own break rule, such as a 10 minute break after 15 minutes of TikTok, plus a total daily limit.
Loosening takes a wait
Making a rule stricter applies right away. Loosening or turning it off needs a wait or an unlock code held by someone else. With strict mode on, only the code can loosen rules.
Parents: cartoons and games without looking up
Give the child's phone a break rhythm
On a child's Android phone set 20 minutes of use and a 10 minute break. During the break cartoons and games will not open and a countdown shows, so you do not have to call them every time.
Set a total for the day
In Daily limits give games and video apps a daily total such as 40 minutes. When it runs out they stay closed until midnight.
Close them at homework time and night
Add a homework schedule and a 9 pm to 7 am sleep schedule that close those apps on time. iPhone v0.1.5 can block apps by schedule too.
Your child cannot undo it
On Android turn on Anti-Uninstall, so removing Ripple needs a countdown or the parent's unlock code. With strict mode on, only the code can loosen rules, and changing the clock does nothing. On iPhone turn on the block on deleting apps.
Setup steps
Install or update
On Android download the latest APK and turn on the accessibility service when asked, or update in Settings › About › Check for updates. On iPhone install v0.1.5, which needs iOS 16 or later.
Android: turn on eye breaks
In Settings › Eye Break › Take a Break Reminders pick use and break lengths.
Android: a rule for one app
In Daily limits tap the app, set a daily limit, then tap Take a Break to give it its own rule.
Android and iPhone: schedules
Put entertainment apps in homework and sleep schedules. On a child's phone turn on Anti-Uninstall with the parent holding the code.
FAQ
Is there an app that makes me take a break after using my phone for a while?
Ripple for Android v0.1.12 has Take a Break. In Settings › Eye Break pick how long to use and how long to rest, for example 30 minutes and 5 minutes. Once entertainment apps have been used that long they pause and will not open until the break ends. You can also set a rule for one app in Daily limits.
My kid never looks up from the phone. How do I make them stop every so often?
On the child's Android phone turn on Take a Break, such as 20 minutes of use and a 10 minute break, give games and videos a daily limit and add homework and sleep schedules. Turn on Anti-Uninstall and strict mode with the parent holding the code.
Does Ripple prevent nearsightedness?
We cannot claim that. Ripple limits how long apps are used on the phone and makes you stop every so often. For eyesight questions please see an eye doctor.
Does iPhone have Take a Break?
Not yet. iPhone v0.1.5 has schedules, the block on deleting apps, clock change protection and an unlock code, without Take a Break or daily limits.
Does it cost money or need an account?
It is free with no ads and no account, and settings stay on the phone.