Tether: Mindful Screen Time

Tether helps you use your phone with intention. Instead of opening a distracting app on autopilot, you meet a brief, calming pause — or a quick brain challenge — first. That small moment is often all it takes to choose differently.

You decide which apps to gate and how. Nothing is forced, nothing is hidden, and everything stays on your device.

HOW IT WORKS • App Shielding — Choose the apps you want to be more intentional about. When you open one, Tether greets you with a mindful pause or a short cognitive challenge before letting you through. • Mindful pauses — A quiet breath before you scroll. Stay shielded, or continue with intention. • Brain challenges — Quick questions that wake up your mind instead of numbing it. • Daily limits — Set an optional time budget for your gated apps. • Focus schedules — Set up to three daily windows where your chosen apps stay actively shielded.

PRIVATE BY DESIGN Tether was built privacy-first. Your name, birth date, goals, and app choices never leave your device. There are no ads, no trackers, and no data sales. An optional, off-by-default setting lets you share anonymous counts to help our nonprofit measure impact — no identity, no app names, no usage data — and you can turn it off or delete it anytime.

BUILT ON APPLE SCREEN TIME Tether uses Apple's Screen Time (Family Controls) so shielding works reliably and privately. Tether never sees which apps you choose — the selection stays on your device.

FOR FAMILIES Parents can set up a child profile (Kids mode) with no data collection, age-appropriate content only, and donations and insights disabled.

FROM A NONPROFIT Tether is made by the Tether Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the intentional and mindful use of technology. The app is free, with no in-app purchases. If you'd like to support the mission, an optional donation opens securely in your browser — never required to use any feature.

Be mindful. Tech responsibly.