Doomscrolling can become a harmful habit, leading to long hours of mindless feed browsing that negatively impacts both your posture and mental well-being. Your eyes can suffer, too.
Thankfully, several apps promote physical activity before you engage with social media. One even requires users to step outside and physically touch grass before accessing platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
If you’re eager to reduce screen time while staying active, check out these helpful apps.
Digital Carrot
Digital Carrot prevents you from accessing distracting applications and websites until you fulfill your fitness, productivity, or screen time objectives.
This app syncs with devices like the Apple Watch, allowing you to set personalized goals—like walking 6,000 steps a day. It also enables GPS- and time-based challenges, blocking apps until you’ve been active for a specific duration or distance, such as completing an hour-long gym session.
Available on iPhone, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux.
MeBeMe
MeBeMe focuses on helping users develop healthier habits. Rather than blocking access, it sends reminders for specific tasks like doing burpees, reaching out to friends, or warming up for three minutes.
Its “Body” category includes challenges suitable for athletes, dancers, cyclists, and runners, although it isn’t exclusively tied to physical fitness.
Currently available for free on iOS.
StepBloc
StepBloc allows you to lock certain apps until you’ve walked a predetermined number of steps. You can also link app access to specific workouts like push-ups or planks for a set duration.
Once the exercises are completed, users can access selected apps like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, making it useful for countering sedentary behavior with short exercise bursts.
Free on iOS but requires a subscription for unlimited features.
Steppin
Developed by the founder of Kayak, Steppin allows users to earn screen time by completing physical activities. For instance, you can reward yourself with one minute of scrolling for every 100 steps taken.
You can set your own step targets for gaining access to social media, streaming platforms, or mobile games.
Available for iOS download.
TouchGrass
TouchGrass introduces a unique method for curbing doomscrolling by requiring users to go outside and photograph grass to unlock distracting apps.
Utilizing computer vision technology, it scans submissions to ensure only grass images are accepted.
The basic version allows locking two apps, while a subscription at $5.99 per month or $49.99 per year provides the ability to lock more.
Available on iOS.
WalkLock
This iOS app works with Apple Health to restrict access to selected apps until users meet their daily step goals.
It tracks movements automatically through data from the iPhone or Apple Watch and offers a lock screen widget that displays progress, making it simple to see how close you are to unlocking apps.
Walkly
Walkly offers a similar function for Android users, locking social media and gaming apps until users complete a specified number of steps.
The app continuously tracks your physical activity and unlocks the apps once you’ve hit your walking target.
WeWard
Initially launched to incentivize walking through a currency system called “Wards,” WeWard recently added a “Walking Mode” that locks app access until users achieve certain step counts. The goals and locked apps are fully customizable.
Compatible with both iOS and Android.
