A screen-time app that adds friction and logs unlocks instead of blocking apps outright

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A developer built an iOS screen-time app called ChoiceField after finding that hard blocks and one-tap locks were easy to defeat and simply reset user behavior. Instead, the app keeps every app accessible but adds a small pause, using per-app daily allowances and a pause screen that offers a wait or a set of pre-chosen unlocks. Each unlock is logged and shown back to the user so patterns become visible, and a trusted friend can optionally freeze apps for a set window. The developer reports that after six weeks their late-night screen time dropped from about 50 minutes to around 20, and nightly unlocks fell from 5-6 to 0-1. The app is free to start on iOS 17 and later, and it runs entirely on-device using Apple's built-in Screen Time APIs.

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