Ripple
My Kids Spend the Whole Road Trip on Their Phones: A Travel Time Block on Android and iPhone
On a family trip kids can sit in the back seat or on the train for hours with a phone in hand, and keep scrolling short videos at the sights too. Taking phones away is not practical, since kids need to call you, check maps and take photos. This page shows how to set a travel block that keeps the useful parts of the phone and pauses short videos and games.
Suggested travel block
Keep contact and travel apps
Calls, messaging, maps, the camera and photos keep working. Short video apps, games, live streaming and shopping are blocked.
Family chats still work
On Android block only WeChat Channels and Moments. See the WeChat Channels page.
Clock changes do nothing
Time is counted from device uptime. See the clock change page.
Kids with an iPhone
On iOS 16 and later blocking runs through Apple frameworks. See the iPhone page.
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.
Create a travel block
Match your travel days, for example 8 AM to 8 PM on the day you leave.
Choose apps to block
Block short video apps, games, live streaming and shopping. Keep calls, messaging, maps and the camera.
Set a parent unlock code
The parent keeps the code. Ending the block early or uninstalling asks for it.
Turn on uninstall protection
On Android enable the on-device uninstall guard. On iPhone enable the block on deleting apps.
FAQ
Can my child still call me and use maps on the trip?
Yes. The travel block only closes short video apps, games, live streaming and shopping apps. Calls, messaging, maps and the camera keep working. On Android you can block only WeChat Channels and Moments.
Can I leave some video time for a long ride?
Download a few movies or audiobooks ahead of time and agree on how long they can watch. On Android Ripple can block YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels while longer videos still play.
What if my child changes the phone clock?
It does not help. Ripple counts time from device uptime, so moving the clock does not end the block early.
Does it work on iPhone?
Yes, on iOS 16 and later. Ripple uses Apple's FamilyControls, ManagedSettings and DeviceActivity frameworks, so the system blocks apps in the background even if Ripple is closed, and unlocking needs an 8 digit parent code.
I also check my phone all trip. Can I set it for myself?
Set the same block on your phone with the 15 minute cooldown, so ending it early means waiting 15 minutes, or give the unlock code to your partner.