Ripple
Quitting Social Media and Cutting Screen Time as a Family
A lot of people delete Instagram or X, reinstall it a few days later and still open it dozens of times a day. Kids often come home from school and go straight to social apps and short videos. The first part below is for adults setting limits on their own phone, and the second part is for parents setting limits on a child's phone. Both Android and iPhone are covered.
Adults setting limits on their own phone
Keep the apps and close them on a schedule
You do not have to delete anything. Put Instagram, X and TikTok on the list and close them from 9:00 to 18:00 on workdays, for example.
Android: 0 minutes for the one you want gone
On Android v0.1.6 you can set an app's daily limit to 0 minutes, and it stays closed for the whole day. Others can get 30 minutes a day.
Android: strict mode
With strict mode on, rules can be loosened only with the unlock code, which must be at least 8 digits, and Anti-Uninstall turns on with it. Give the code to family or a friend. If it is forgotten, a request lifts strict mode after 72 hours.
WeChat without Moments and Channels
On Android WeChat can lose only Moments and Channels, so work and family chats still come through.
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 or strict mode yet. Use a cooldown or give the unlock code to someone else.
Parents setting limits on a child's phone
Homework first after school
For example social and short video apps closed from 16:00 to 21:00 on school days. When homework is done, a parent enters the unlock code for a while.
Android: 0 minutes for apps you do not want
For a social app you do not want your child using, set the daily limit to 0 minutes. With strict mode on, the child cannot change the rules on the phone.
Messaging stays open
On Android only WeChat Moments and Channels close, so the child can still message you and classmates.
Clock changes and uninstalling do nothing
On Android time is counted from device uptime, so moving the clock back does not unlock anything, and uninstall protection is available. See the clock change page. On iPhone the block on deleting apps stops long press removal. See the iPhone page.
Set your own phone too
When parents set limits on their own phones and nobody scrolls at dinner or before bed, kids accept it more easily.
Setup steps
Install Ripple
On Android install the v0.1.6 APK and turn on the accessibility service. On iPhone you need iOS 16 or later and Screen Time permission.
List the social media apps
Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat and similar. On Android WeChat can lose only Moments and Channels.
Set a schedule or daily limit
On iPhone set a schedule. On Android you can also set daily limits, with 0 minutes for the one you most want to quit.
Set the unlock code
For your own phone give the code to family or a friend. 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 keep deleting and reinstalling social apps. How does Ripple help?
Keep them installed and put them on the list with a schedule. On Android you can also set a 0 minute daily limit. Opening early needs a cooldown or the unlock code, and if someone else keeps the code it is harder to make an exception.
What does 0 minutes mean?
On Android v0.1.6 an app with a 0 minute daily limit stays closed all day. The iPhone version v0.1.5 does not have daily limits yet.
What if I forget the unlock code in strict mode?
You can send a request and strict mode lifts after 72 hours.
I need WeChat for work. Can I close only Moments?
On Android, yes. Only Moments and Channels close and chats keep working.
My child cannot stop using social apps. What should I set?
Set an after school schedule on the child's phone, give apps you do not want a 0 minute limit on Android, and keep the unlock code. On Android changing the clock does nothing and uninstall protection is available. On iPhone turn on the block on deleting apps.
Does it cost money or need an account?
It is free with no ads and no account. Settings stay on the phone.