Tag

Posts tagged app-blocker

Editorial illustration: a neat row of small upright paper cards left fully intact, with one slim raised paper threshold standing in front of them like a low gate, off-center to the right under a low oblique morning light, calm muted palette of dusty blue, soft grey, and warm beige, deep negative space on the left, paper grain, no text, 16:9

Jun 27, 20266 min read

Reduce Doomscrolling Without Deleting a Single App

Reduce doomscrolling on iPhone without deleting Instagram or TikTok. Keep every app installed and put a quick 5–15 second challenge in front of each one instead.

doomscrollingapp-blockeriphonehabits

Editorial illustration: an open hardcover book lying flat beside a clear glass of water on a warm linen surface, off-center to the right under a low oblique morning light, calm muted cream, sage, and warm beige palette, soft paper grain, no text, 16:9

Jun 25, 20265 min read

Photo Proof to Unlock Apps: Earn Screen Time With Real Habits

Zenvi's AI-photo habit challenge makes you snap proof of a real habit — read, drink water, cook — before distracting apps unlock. On-device AI confirms it. Here's how.

habitsapp-blockerfriction-science

Editorial illustration: a quiet sunlit corridor with a single small marker on the far wall, viewed from a low diagonal angle, off-center to the right, long morning shadows and deep negative space in sage and warm beige

Jun 24, 20266 min read

Use a QR code to unlock apps and put distance in the way

A QR-scan unlock makes you walk across the room to a code before an app opens. Here's how Zenvi turns physical distance into focus, so the reflex tap meets a few steps.

focusfriction-scienceapp-blocker

Editorial illustration: a single smooth river stone resting off-center on pale linen, soft low side light casting a long shadow into open negative space

Jun 21, 20265 min read

Custom block screens that make the pause mean something

A custom block screen turns your app blocker's pause into a moment you actually notice. Here's how Zenvi's block screens work and how to set one up that holds.

app-blockerfriction-sciencemindfulness

Editorial illustration of a heavy iron sliding bolt latched across a pale wooden door, off-center to the right, low oblique angle, deep diagonal shadow, calm muted palette of cream, sage, and warm beige with plenty of negative space on the left

Jun 20, 20266 min read

Strict Mode: a phone app lock you can't bypass

Strict Mode is Zenvi's hard app lock: it takes away your ability to turn off rules or lower unlock costs until the time window you set ends. Here's when to use a wall instead of a speed bump.

app-blockerfocusiphone

Editorial illustration of a small brass balance scale off-center to the right on a warm linen surface, one pan tipped low, long diagonal shadow, low oblique angle, calm muted palette of cream, sage, and soft blue

Jun 19, 20266 min read

The Zens economy explained: how you earn screen time in Zenvi

Zens are the currency you earn by completing challenges in Zenvi and spend to open blocked apps. Here's how the Zens economy works and why a price on access changes the habit.

app-blockerhabitsfocusiphone

Editorial illustration of a wooden hourglass resting on a stone windowsill in warm dawn light, off-center to the right with a long shadow

Jun 18, 20265 min read

What is earned screen time? The category, explained

Earned screen time means you unlock distracting apps by completing a quick challenge first, instead of just being blocked or scheduled. Here's the category, explained.

app-blockerfocushabitsfriction-science

Editorial illustration of concentric ripple rings on a calm surface with one outer ring broken and offset, viewed from a low oblique angle, off-center to the right, deep shadow, muted cream and sage palette with a dusty blue accent

Jun 17, 20267 min read

How to Stop Checking Instagram Every 10 Minutes

Can't stop checking Instagram every 10 minutes? Willpower won't fix a reflex. Here's how to build a system with friction at the reach — and where Zenvi fits.

habitssocial-mediaapp-blockerfriction-science

Editorial illustration of a single smooth rounded stone resting partway down a gently inclined surface, held against the slope by friction, deep cast shadow, off-center to the right, calm muted sage and cream palette

Jun 16, 20267 min read

Best Screen Time Apps for ADHD Adults (Not Just Timers)

The best screen time apps for ADHD adults add in-the-moment friction, not just another timer. Here's what actually holds attention, by approach, and where Zenvi fits.

adhdapp-blockerfocusfriction-science

Editorial illustration: a row of several distinct antique keys of varying shapes laid out in a loose diagonal across a textured linen surface, off-center to the left, low oblique angle, calm muted cream, sage, and warm beige palette with one dusty-blue key, soft morning light casting long thin shadows, no text, 16:9

Jun 15, 20266 min read

Every Zenvi challenge that unlocks your apps, explained

Zenvi's full challenge list: math, memory, AI quiz, breathing, QR scan, fitness reps, and AI-photo habits — the quick tasks you do to unlock apps and earn screen time.

app-blockerfriction-sciencefocushabits

Editorial illustration: a single length of sage ribbon caught mid-motion in an upward arc against a cream background, off-center to the right, viewed from a low diagonal angle, long soft shadow, calm muted palette with a warm terracotta accent, plenty of negative space on the left, no people, no text, 16:9

Jun 13, 20266 min read

The App That Makes You Exercise Before Opening Instagram

Zenvi makes you do a few push-ups or squats — counted live by your iPhone camera — before Instagram unlocks. Here's exactly how the exercise challenge works and how to set it up.

app-blockerhabitssocial-mediafriction-science

Editorial illustration of a small neat stack of smooth round wooden tokens off-center to the right on a warm beige linen surface, the top token tipped on its edge casting a long diagonal shadow, low oblique angle, calm muted palette

Jun 12, 20266 min read

Gamified screen time: what it means and the app that does it

Gamified screen time turns unlocking distracting apps into a small challenge you complete. Here's what it means, why it works, and how Zenvi does it on iPhone.

app-blockerhabitsfocusiphone

Editorial illustration of a row of folded paper forms rising from a barely-raised flat crease to a tall standing fold, on a pale surface, viewed from a low oblique angle with long soft shadows

Jun 10, 20266 min read

Best One Sec alternatives for when the pause stops working

If One Sec's breathing pause stopped slowing you down, here are the best One Sec alternatives — from challenge-based unlocks to strict blockers you can't swipe past on autopilot.

app-blockerfriction-sciencehabitsfocus

Editorial illustration of a strict grid of muted blue cubes like a weekly calendar, with one warm terracotta cube lifting out of the grid and casting a long shadow

Jun 9, 20266 min read

Opal vs. Zenvi: Scheduled Blocking or Earned Unlocks?

Opal blocks distracting apps on a schedule you set in advance; Zenvi makes you earn each unlock with a quick challenge. Here's which approach actually holds.

app-blockerfriction-sciencefocushabits

Editorial illustration of two minimal abstract obstacle forms on a calm flat plane, a low rounded speed bump and a taller stepped block, lit from the side with long soft shadows

Jun 8, 20265 min read

One Sec vs. Zenvi: a pause or a challenge?

One Sec adds a breathing pause before you open an app; Zenvi makes you earn the unlock with a quick challenge. Here's which friction actually changes the habit.

app-blockerfriction-sciencehabitsfocus

Editorial illustration of an unlatched brass padlock hanging open on a weathered wooden surface, off-center to the right, lit by soft diagonal morning light with a long shadow

Jun 6, 20266 min read

Why your iPhone app blocker stops working (and the fix)

Your iPhone app blocker stops working after a week because your brain learns to swipe past a static wall. Here's why blockers fail and the fix that keeps them effective.

app-blockerfriction-sciencehabitsfocus

Editorial illustration: concentric rings carved in clay with one outer ring breaking open and trailing into negative space

Jun 5, 20266 min read

The Best Way to Stop Doomscrolling on iPhone (2026)

The best way to stop doomscrolling on iPhone in 2026 isn't a stricter blocker. Here's why app blockers fail on their own, and what to use at the moment you reach.

doomscrollingapp-blockeriphonefocus

Editorial illustration: a curving line of flat stepping stones receding diagonally across pale sand toward the distance, viewed from a low oblique angle, long soft morning shadows, calm muted palette of cream, warm beige and sage with a dusty-blue accent, plenty of negative space, no phone, no people, no text, 16:9

Jun 4, 20266 min read

Walk to Unlock Instagram: 50 Steps Before the Feed

Want to open Instagram less on autopilot? Zenvi makes you walk across the room to scan a QR code before the app unlocks — real distance, no willpower, no pedometer required.

app-blockersocial-mediahabitsiphone

Editorial illustration of a single aged brass key resting on a textured linen surface, off-center, lit by soft morning side light with a long shadow

Jun 3, 20266 min read

Earning screen time vs. blocking it: why one sticks

Blocking apps fights you; earning screen time builds the habit. Here's why earned access sticks where hard blocks fail, and how Zenvi makes it work.

app-blockerfriction-sciencehabitsfocus

Editorial illustration: an open doorway with warm dawn light spilling across a stone floor, dim wall on the left

May 21, 20265 min read

What Apple Screen Time can't do (and where Zenvi fills the gap)

Apple's Screen Time is genuinely useful and free. It also has three soft spots that make it easy to ignore. Here's an honest read on where it works, where it doesn't, and what Zenvi adds on top.

app-blockeriphonefocusfriction-science