How does minimalist phone work? (on iOS)

minimalist phone is an application designed to help users gain more control over their smartphone usage, reduce screen time, and cultivate a more mindful digital lifestyle.
Here's how it works:

• Custom Home Screen Pages: minimalist phone replaces your typical home screen filled with colorful app icons with a clean, text-based layout. Each application is represented by a simple text entry rather than an icon. This discourages mindless app opening, based on unconscious learned behavior associated with visually appealing app icons, and promotes more intentional usage.
• In-app Time Reminder: When you attempt to open a potentially addictive app, minimalist phone prompts you to set a usage timer for that particular session. You can choose from predefined intervals or set a custom usage time. Once the selected time is up and if you're still in the app, a popup will appear prompting you to either exit the app or extend the timer.
• App Blocker: This feature allows you to block access to any app for a chosen duration ranging from 4 hours to 30 days. During this period, you won't be able to open the app, and all notifications from it will be blocked.
• Website Blocker: Block any website from your history to avoid spending too much time on it.
• Blocking Schedules: Take control of your time by automatically blocking selected apps at specific times of the day. Whether it’s Work Hours, Sleep Time, or Gym Sessions, create custom schedules to stay focused and minimize distractions. Simply add social media, gaming, or other time-consuming apps to your blocking list and let minimalist phone help you stay on track.
• Notification Filter: Notifications from apps set to In-app reminder (while a time session is inactive) or from blocked apps will be hidden.
• Mindful Launch Delay: Set a 15-second delay on opening social media apps to break off the dopamine cycle. This helps you make conscious decisions for a more intentional smartphone experience.

By incorporating these features, minimalist phone encourages more mindful smartphone usage, helping users to break free from addictive app behaviors, reduce screen time, and reclaim their attention and time for more important tasks and experiences.

Updated on: 14/07/2026