But First: Read Then Scroll

You didn't decide to open Instagram. Your thumb decided. Twenty minutes later, the book on your Kindle App is still on chapter one - and tomorrow morning it happens again. That's why But First exists. Not another app to keep you off your phone. Not another gamified app. Just one that puts the apps you want first - and makes the ones you don't wait their turn.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Pick your apps. Choose what waits (Instagram, TikTok, games...) and what counts (Kindle, Duolingo, your Bible app...). You pick both — the app doesn't judge.
2. Set a daily goal. 10 minutes, 20, 60 — your call. iOS itself tracks your time in the counting apps. No timers to start, and changing the clock won't fool it.
3. Do the good thing first. Locked apps stay shielded until you hit your goal. Then everything opens until midnight, and locks again tomorrow. Automatically.

ROUTINES PEOPLE BUILD

• 20 minutes of reading, then Instagram unlocks • One language lesson's worth of time, then TikTok unlocks • Bible before YouTube • Meditation before Reddit • Focus timer before games

Screen Time sets limits. But First sets the order. You don't have to quit anything — distraction just goes second.

FREE AND PRO

Free gets the complete loop: one locked app + one counting app, a daily goal, the shield, the widgets. Not a crippled demo — the whole habit works. Pro adds unlimited locked and counting apps, whole categories, website blocking, and strict mode.

STRICT MODE (AND AN HONEST ESCAPE)

Normal mode keeps an "Unlock today" button in Settings, behind one gentle dialog. Its title: "but first*". Its message: "*you did install an app called But First." Strict mode removes that button until midnight, for days you mean it. And full honesty: you can always delete the app or revoke Screen Time permission. No app can truly force you, and we won't pretend this one can — But First is for people who want the help.

PRIVATE BY DESIGN

Built on Apple's Screen Time framework. When you pick apps, we only ever receive anonymous tokens — never app names, never your history. Nothing leaves your phone. No account. No usage analytics. We couldn't sell your data if we wanted to, because we never have it.

WIDGETS AND WATCH

A progress ring on your Home Screen and Lock Screen, and a "you're done for today" notification that mirrors to your Apple Watch.

PRICING

But First Pro: $29.99/year with a 7-day free trial (recommended), $3.99/month, or $49.99 lifetime (launch price).

Subscriptions are billed to your Apple Account and renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. The annual plan charges when the 7-day trial ends; cancel during the trial and you pay nothing. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings, then your name, then Subscriptions.

Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Privacy Policy: https://butfirst.app/privacy/

One more thing: this app is built by one person. If something's off, email asilverness@gmail.com — you'll hear back within a day or two.