Ripple
Can't Read a Book Without Picking Up Your Phone
Plenty of people buy books, sit down, read a few pages and then reach for the phone. They answer one message, watch a few videos, and half an hour later the book is still open on the same page. People who read ebooks on the phone often switch to another app halfway through a chapter. Kids do the same. The school asks for thirty minutes of reading a day, and as soon as the parent turns around the child is playing behind the book, or opens the reading app and watches a video next to it in split screen. The first part below is for adults setting limits on their own phone, and the second part is for parents. Both Android and iPhone are covered.
See it in 20 seconds
The demo shows the Android v0.1.8 screens with the Chinese interface. The last card lists what Android and iPhone each have. GIF version
Adults keeping the phone quiet while they read
Tap quick focus before you start
On Android v0.1.8 tap quick focus on the home screen and pick 45 or 60 minutes or a custom length. By default only the apps in your focus list stay open, such as the phone app and your ebook reader. Everything else is blocked until the session ends on its own.
Block only the worst apps
If you look up words or take notes while reading, switch quick focus to lock only the apps you choose. Close short videos, social apps and games and leave the rest alone.
A fixed reading hour
If you read at the same time every night, create a focus schedule such as 21:00 to 22:00. It starts by itself, so you do not have to remember to tap anything.
Stopping early takes a wait
Ending a session early needs a cooldown, 15 minutes by default, or the unlock code. Most people keep reading while they wait. A family member or friend can hold the code.
Fewer pickups during the day
For apps you open out of habit during the day, set a daily open limit and a short pause before opening. See the open limits page.
iPhone: schedules
The iPhone version is v0.1.5. Put short video and social apps into a reading schedule such as 21:00 to 22:00. On iOS 16 and later the system blocks them in the background, and someone else can hold the unlock code. Quick focus is Android only for now.
Parents dealing with phone use during a child's reading time
Start a session before reading time
Before reading time, tap quick focus for 30 or 60 minutes on your child's Android phone and keep only the reading app and the phone app. The ring on the home screen shows the time left, and it ends by itself.
Split screen and floating windows are blocked
Some kids put the reading app and a video app side by side in split screen or shrink the video into a small window. Android v0.1.8 covers the blocked side with the block screen and closes picture-in-picture.
A reading schedule on school nights
If reading happens at a set time, add a schedule such as 19:30 to 20:00 on school nights and a different time on weekends.
The child cannot undo it
The parent keeps the unlock code, and uninstall protection and strict mode are available. Android timing uses device uptime, so moving the clock forward does not end the session early. See the clock change page.
iPhone: block on a schedule
If your child uses an iPhone, block games and videos during reading time. With the block on deleting apps turned on, long press removal does not work. See the iPhone page. Quick focus and split screen blocking are Android only for now.
Calls and chats stay open
Leave the phone app and chat apps off the list so your child can reach you while reading.
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.
Add reading apps to the focus list
For example your ebook app, a dictionary and the phone app. For paper books keep only the phone app.
Android: tap quick focus before reading
Pick the length. Other apps stay closed until it ends. Add a focus schedule if you read at a fixed time.
iPhone: set a reading schedule
Put short video, social and game apps into a schedule that matches reading time.
Set the unlock code and uninstall protection
For your own phone give the code to family. On a child's phone keep it yourself. Turn on Anti-Uninstall on Android and the block on deleting apps on iPhone.
FAQ
Will my ebook app be locked too?
No. Add it to the focus list, or switch quick focus to lock only the apps you choose.
Something urgent comes up while I'm reading. What then?
Calls always work. For other apps, wait out the cooldown or enter the unlock code.
Can my child still watch videos in split screen?
Not from Android v0.1.8 on. A blocked app in split screen, a floating window or picture-in-picture is blocked too.
Does the iPhone version have quick focus?
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.