Ripple
No Phones at the Table for Adults and Kids
A lot of people open a short video app as soon as they sit down to eat, and by the end of the meal they have missed most of what the other person said. Kids do the same and will not eat without a cartoon or a video on. The first part below is for adults limiting their own phone. The second part is for parents setting limits on a child's phone. Both cover Android and iPhone.
Adults limiting their own phone
List the apps you reach for at the table
Short video apps, social apps, games and short drama apps. Calls, maps, payments and everything else keep working.
A schedule for meals
For example closed from 12 to 12:40 PM and 6:30 to 7:30 PM every day, with a separate weekend schedule.
iPhone: blocked by the system
On iOS 16 and later the apps are blocked on schedule through Apple's Screen Time frameworks, and the block keeps working even if Ripple is closed.
Agree on it together
Partners or family members set the same meal times and hold each other's unlock code. Opening an app early means asking for the code or waiting through a 15 minute cooldown.
Parents setting limits on a child's phone
Videos and games closed at meals
For example closed from 7 to 7:30 AM and 6 to 6:40 PM on school days, with weekends set separately. A tablet can be set up the same way.
Clock changes and uninstalling do nothing
On Android time is counted from device uptime, see the clock change page, and uninstall protection can be turned on right on the phone. On iPhone turn on the block on deleting apps, see the iPhone page.
Parents go first
Kids copy what adults do. Setting the same meal times on your own phone makes the rule easier for them to accept.
Setup steps
Install Ripple
On Android install the APK and turn on the accessibility service. On iPhone you need iOS 16 or later and Screen Time permission.
Choose the apps you reach for at the table
Short video apps, social apps, games and short drama apps.
Set a schedule for meals
For example 7:30 to 8 AM, 12 to 12:40 PM and 6:30 to 7:30 PM, with weekends set separately.
Give the unlock code to someone else
Partners hold each other's code, parents keep the code for a child's phone.
Turn on uninstall protection
On Android enable the on-device uninstall guard. On iPhone enable the block on deleting apps.
FAQ
I always end up scrolling during meals. How can Ripple help?
Put short video apps, social apps and games on the list and block them at meal times, for example 12:00 to 12:40 and 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM every day. The apps are closed when the meal starts, so you do not have to hold back every time.
Will I still get calls and messages during meals?
Yes. Calls, texts and any app you leave off the list keep working on both Android and iPhone.
My partner and I want a no phones at the table rule. How do we set it up?
Each of you sets the same meal time schedule on your own phone and gives the unlock code to the other. Opening an app early means asking for the code or waiting through a 15 minute cooldown.
My child only eats with cartoons or short videos on. What can I do?
Set meal time schedules on the child's phone or tablet, put video apps and games on the list and keep the unlock code yourself. On Android time is counted from device uptime, so changing the clock does not help, and uninstall protection can be turned on right on the phone. On iPhone the block on deleting apps stops long press removal.
Can weekends have different meal times?
Yes. School days, workdays and weekends can each have their own schedule.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
It is free with no ads and no account. Settings stay on the phone.