Slow
Make distracting content load more slowly, adding friction without blocking access.
Not just an app blocker.
Stay on course with flexible interventions,
from gentle friction to a hard block.
Screentide interventions
Mute
Silence distracting notifications until you are ready for them.
Tint
Cover distracting apps with a colored tint, making them less appealing to keep using.
Pause
Add a pause or breathing exercise before opening or continuing.
Block
Prevent access entirely, with optional time-limited unlocks.
Your voyage starts here.
Follow the steps below to see how Screentide helps you break free from feeling anchored to your phone.
Watchlist
Sight your targets.
Build a watchlist from distracting apps and websites, choosing what to include or exclude. You can even block parts of certain apps, like Instagram Reels and Youtube Shorts.
Time
Set the schedule.
Screentide doesn’t always have to be on watch. Set schedules and timers, or sync rules with your calendar to run automatically around your events.
Triggers
Await the signal.
Define the conditions that trigger your rules, including usage allowances, GPS and Wi-Fi zones, and NFC or QR code switches. When one or more conditions are met, the rule activates.
Actions
Take action against distractions.
Choose how much resistance you need, from a subtle nudge to a hard stop. You set the course and Screentide will help steer you there.
Usage Stats
Chart your progress.
See where your time goes across apps and websites, spot useful trends, and use those insights to decide where a new rule could help.
Treasure your time again.
Reducing screen time is no easy voyage, but every hour reclaimed is worth its weight in gold!
Feature comparison
See how Screentide compares.
It's our mission to be the most powerful and flexible screen time manager on Android, and we've only just set sail!
- Free
- Partially free
- Paid
- Planned
- Unavailable
| Feature | Screentide |  ScreenZen |  Opal |  AppBlock |  one sec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watchlists | |||||
| App targeting | |||||
| Website targeting | |||||
| Unlimited targets | |||||
| Include / exclude | |||||
| Reusable groups | |||||
| Always allow list | |||||
| Adult-site presets | |||||
| Gambling-site presets | |||||
| Short-form content blocking | |||||
| Scheduling | |||||
| Weekly schedules | |||||
| One-off time windows | |||||
| Reusable timers | |||||
| Calendar overview | |||||
| Calendar sync | |||||
| Intervening Actions | |||||
| Strict blocks | |||||
| Mindful pauses | |||||
| Breathing exercises | |||||
| Tint | |||||
| Internet throttling | |||||
| Timed bypasses | |||||
| Block screen messages | |||||
| Intervention stacks | |||||
| Triggers | |||||
| Usage limits | |||||
| Wi-Fi triggers | |||||
| Location triggers | |||||
| Battery charging triggers | |||||
| NFC controls | |||||
| QR code controls | |||||
| Trigger stacks | |||||
| Edit Protections | |||||
| Cooldown restriction | |||||
| PIN Code restriction | |||||
| Authenticator (TOTP) restriction | |||||
| Battery level restriction | |||||
| Device restart restriction | |||||
| Uninstall protection | |||||
| Tamper preventions | |||||
| Usage Reporting | |||||
| App usage history | |||||
| Website usage history | |||||
| Usage trends | |||||
| Detailed reporting | |||||
| Custom categorisation | |||||
| Streaks | |||||
| Data & Privacy | |||||
| No sign-up | |||||
| Locally stored | |||||
| Backup / restore |
Features and availability are based on publicly available Android product information and may change. Last reviewed 27 September 2026. Product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Frequentlyasked questions.
What is Screentide?
Screentide is an Android screen time app that helps you build stronger boundaries around distracting apps and websites.
You create rules that decide what apps and websites to restrict, when they apply, which conditions trigger them, and how strongly Screentide should step in.
Is Screentide available on iOS or desktop?
Screentide is currently Android only. Development has focused on Android first because its enforcement features integrate deeply with the operating system. iOS support is on the roadmap, but there is currently no iOS or desktop version.
What happens when a rule activates?
A rule can apply different levels of friction depending on how strongly you want to discourage an app or website. Choose a tinted overlay, slower loading, or a mindful pause, or set a firmer boundary by blocking access entirely.
Can I use Screentide as a physical app blocker?
Yes. Screentide turns any NFC sticker, or a QR code you print at home, into a physical key for your apps. Tap or scan it to start blocking, and put the one that stops blocking somewhere you have to walk to.
It works much like devices such as Brick, but the app is free and a pack of NFC stickers costs a few dollars. See Screentide vs Brick and Turn an NFC Sticker Into a Physical App Blocker.
Can I stop myself from changing or bypassing my rules?
Yes! Enforcement Protection adds stronger boundaries when you need them. Edit Restrictions can require one or more Unlock Challenges before protected settings can be changed, while Tamper Prevention (Gold) makes common ways of disabling Screentide or its enforcement more difficult.
Where is my usage data stored?
Your detailed app and website usage data is stored locally on your device. Screentide does not upload your usage history to a Screentide account or server. Limited product telemetry may be collected to improve the app, and you can disable it.
Is Screentide free?
Yes. You can create up to 3 fully-featured rules for free, each containing an unlimited number of apps and websites. We think most people will not need Gold to benefit from Screentide.
Make long
scrolls a thing
of the past Make long scrolls a thing of the past
Android
Available now
iOS
Coming soon