Ripple
Lunch Break Scrolling and Nap Time Phones: Keeping the Phone in Check
A lot of office workers eat lunch, sit back down and plan to rest for a bit. They open a short video app, and when they look up the break is over and they spend the 2 pm meeting yawning. Kids do the same thing. On weekends and holidays a parent says it is nap time, the phone goes into the bedroom, the whole midday goes to games, and at night the child is not tired. The first part below is for adults limiting their own lunch break, and the second part is for parents limiting a child's phone at nap time. Both Android and iPhone are covered.
Adults limiting their own lunch break
Close short videos during the break
Android and iPhone both support schedules. For example 12:30 to 13:30 with TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and games closed. Leave the alarm, phone and work chat apps off the list so they keep working.
A small daily allowance
On Android give short video apps a daily limit, for example 20 minutes a day. If you used it during lunch, the app is closed when you lie down to rest.
0 minutes for the app you cannot put down
On Android v0.1.8 you can set an app's daily limit to 0 minutes so it stays closed all day. Your account and data stay, and you can change it back later.
Android: strict mode with someone else holding the code
When you are tired at lunch it is easy to switch your own rules off. With strict mode on Android, rules can be loosened only with the unlock code of at least 8 digits, and Anti-Uninstall turns on with it. Give the code to a family member or a coworker you trust. If it is really lost, a request lifts it 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, 0 minutes or strict mode yet. Give the unlock code to someone else.
Parents limiting a child's phone at nap time
Close games and videos at nap time
Android and iPhone both support schedules. For example on weekends and holidays 12:30 to 14:00 with games, short videos and drama apps closed. The child can still listen to music or just sleep.
Separate rules for school days and days off
Set one schedule for school days and another for weekends. On school days the child is at school at noon, so the rules cover after school. On days at home, add the nap time block.
A daily amount for the favorite game
On Android give a game a daily limit, for example 40 minutes. If it is used up at noon there is none left for the evening, so kids learn to plan it. You can also set one game to 0 minutes so it stays closed all day. 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 forward does not unlock anything, and uninstall and force stop protection are available. See the clock change page. On iPhone the block on deleting apps stops long press removal. See the iPhone page.
Calls and chats stay open
Leave the phone app and WeChat or other chat apps off the list so your child can reach you at nap time too. On Android only WeChat Moments and Channels can be closed while chats keep working.
Setup steps
Install Ripple
On Android install the latest APK and turn on the accessibility service. On iPhone you need iOS 16 or later and Screen Time permission.
List short video, game and drama apps
Leave calls, chat apps, the alarm and work or school apps off the list.
Set the lunch or nap schedule
Adults match their own lunch break, kids get a nap time block, and school days can differ from weekends. On Android you can also set daily limits and give the hardest app 0 minutes.
Set the unlock code
For your own phone give the code to family or a coworker. 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 set an alarm for my nap. Will that be blocked too?
No. Ripple only closes apps on the list. The alarm, phone and chat apps keep working if you leave them off it.
Can I use the apps normally after lunch?
Yes. When the scheduled block ends the listed apps open again, and you decide when the next block starts.
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.
Can iPhone set daily limits or 0 minutes?
Not yet. The iPhone version v0.1.5 has schedules, the block on deleting apps, clock change protection and the unlock code.
Does it cost money or need an account?
It is free with no ads and no account. Settings stay on the phone.