ScrollBreak: App Blocker

ScrollBreak is a screen time control and app blocker for Android that stops doomscrolling with 1-minute mindful puzzles. No account needed.

If you open apps like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reels, Shorts or WhatsApp too often, ScrollBreak tracks the time you spend in the apps you choose and shows a quick jigsaw, coloring or breathing focus break when your limit is reached. Solve it to continue, refreshed. It reduces screen time and limits social media without a permanent lock.

How does ScrollBreak control screen time?
1. Choose the distracting apps to protect: any app on your phone, from social media and video to messaging and games.
2. Set a limit: every 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes.
3. ScrollBreak detects app opens on your device. Nothing is sent to a server.
4. When time is up, it interrupts the app with a 1-minute puzzle, coloring or breathing break.
5. Solve the challenge to continue. The dashboard shows usage-free time and your calm streak.

Can ScrollBreak block apps permanently?
No, and that is deliberate. The break is mindful friction, not a lock: solving it always continues, so the app is never bricked and nothing needs root or a VPN. Short pauses interrupt the dopamine loop behind phone addiction and doom scrolling.

What are the mindful challenges?
• Jigsaw Puzzle: 2x2 puzzle with 100 pictures, solvable in under 1 minute.
• Coloring Break: 49 calm templates with undo, redo and custom colors for anxiety relief and better sleep.
• Breathing Break: a short guided calm-down session before you continue.
• Smart random mode avoids repeats.
• Every challenge works offline.

Does ScrollBreak work offline?
Yes. Detection, timers, challenges and your history all run on the device, and no challenge needs a connection. Your usage data never leaves the phone; the privacy section below names the only two third parties that receive anything.

Is ScrollBreak free?
Yes. The free plan protects 2 apps. Pro unlocks unlimited protected apps, adds schedule windows such as bedtime guard and work hours, and removes every ad.

Does ScrollBreak show ads?
The free plan has exactly two ad surfaces: one small banner on the Challenges tab, and an optional rewarded video you can watch to protect one extra app for 24 hours. There are no interstitials, no app-open ads and no offerwall ads. No ads on the dashboard, inside a challenge, during setup or in the upgrade screen. Pro removes all ads: on Pro the ads SDK never starts and the app makes no ad requests.

Is ScrollBreak private?
Yes. Your screen-time data stays on your device.
• No cloud sync, no analytics SDKs, no data selling.
• Usage time is calculated locally with Android UsageStats.
• Settings stay in device storage only. Delete them in Android Settings or by uninstalling.
• Two named exceptions: Google AdMob serves the free plan's ads, and RevenueCat verifies Pro purchases. The apps you protect, your usage history and your challenge history are never sent to either of them.

Why does ScrollBreak need these permissions?
• Accessibility Service: detects when a protected app opens and shows the break. It does not read keystrokes, messages or screen content.
• App Usage Access: shows total time in distracting apps.
• Display Over Other Apps: shows the challenge screen.
• Installed Apps List: lets you choose which apps to protect.
• Battery Exemption: keeps detection reliable.

Who is ScrollBreak for?
Students, remote workers, ADHD minds and anyone asking how to reduce screen time, how to stop late-night scrolling or how to build intentional phone habits. It is a digital wellbeing tool for deep work, study productivity and a gentle dopamine detox, so you can stay focused, feel calmer and sleep better.

Download ScrollBreak: Beat Scrolling to block distracting apps, control screen time and turn long scrolls into mindful breaks.