Ripple
Scrolling as Soon as You Wake Up
The alarm goes off, you switch it off and open a short video app, and half an hour later you are still in bed and rushing to get out the door. Kids do the same with a tablet at breakfast and nearly miss the school bus. The first part below is for adults setting a morning schedule on their own phone. The second part is for parents setting a before school schedule on a child's phone. Both Android and iPhone are covered.
Adults setting a morning schedule on their own phone
Keep short video and news apps closed in the morning
For example closed from 6:30 to 8:30 AM, so you cannot scroll while getting up, eating breakfast or commuting.
Alarms, calls and maps keep working
Only the apps you put on the list close. The alarm, phone, maps, ride apps and payments are not affected.
Android: WeChat without Channels and Moments
You can still read work and family messages while Channels and Moments stay closed.
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.
Opening early takes a wait
The cooldown can be set from 15 minutes to 2 hours, and by the time it ends you are usually up. You can also give the unlock code to a partner or friend.
Add an evening schedule too
Late night scrolling makes mornings harder, so you can add a bedtime schedule at the same time.
Parents setting a before school schedule on a child's phone
Videos and games closed before school
For example closed from 6:30 to 7:40 AM on school days, so breakfast and packing the bag are not held up by a tablet. Weekends can be set separately.
Keep the unlock code yourself
Begging in the morning does not open anything, so you do not have the same argument every day.
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 enable the block on deleting apps, see the iPhone page.
Android: messaging stays open
Only WeChat Channels and Moments close, so the child can still message you and teachers.
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.
Put the apps you open first thing on the list
Usually short video, short drama, news and game apps. Leave messaging apps off the list.
Set the morning schedule
For adults maybe 6:30 to 8:30 AM, for kids maybe 6:30 to 7:40 AM on school days. On Android you can add a daily time limit.
Set the unlock code and cooldown
Give your own code to someone you trust. Parents keep the child's code.
Turn on uninstall protection
On Android enable the on-device uninstall guard. On iPhone enable the block on deleting apps.
FAQ
I open my phone the second I wake up. How does Ripple help?
Put the apps you open first in the morning on the list and set a morning schedule, for example 6:30 to 8:30 AM. They will not open during that time, while alarms, calls and maps keep working.
Will my alarm still work?
Yes. Only the apps on the list close. The alarm and other system features keep working.
I need to check work messages in the morning. What then?
On Android WeChat can keep chat open while Channels and Moments close. The iPhone version limits whole apps, so leave messaging and work apps off the list.
My child will not put the tablet down before school. How do I set it up?
Set a school day morning schedule on the child's phone or tablet so videos and games close, and keep the unlock code yourself. On Android time is counted from device uptime, so changing the clock does nothing, and uninstall protection is available. On iPhone the block on deleting apps stops long press removal.
Can it run on school days only?
Yes. Schedules can be set by day of the week, so weekends can have their own schedule or none.
Does it cost anything? Do I need an account?
It is free with no ads, needs no account, and all settings stay on the phone.