Stop doomscrolling: 6 apps that will help you take back your time.
Is “how to stop doomscrolling” one of your top searches? Then you might want to keep reading.
Was I doomscrolling before I was able to finally put the phone down and write this? Maybe…but let’s be honest, we’ve all fallen into a black hole of endless phone scrolling. It all starts with a simple “break,” but next thing you know, you’re knee-deep in a rabbit hole of endless videos, comments and reactions. If you’re ready to start a process of digital detox and a slightly healthier relationship with your phone, let’s talk about a couple of apps that might help you cut the noise without quitting entirely.
The following six apps that appear on this list seek to gently guide you out of the scroll spiral. Turning your screen time into something more intentional.
This clever app delays your access to apps like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or TikTok by making you take a deep breath and wait one second. It sounds simple, but that tiny pause creates just enough friction to snap you out of autopilot. According to in-house research, it reduces app usage by 57% and significantly improves life satisfaction.
It can also show you how many minutes it has saved you from impulsive checking. And the website has a test that shows your social media spirit animal, worth giving it a try.
According to their website, it takes you 23 minutes to refocus on what you were doing after checking an email or scrolling through social media, so if you need stronger boundaries, Freedom blocks distracting apps and websites across all your devices. Set schedules, create custom blocklists, or start a session when you need a break from the chaos.
Great for working from home, studying, or simply having a peaceful Sunday morning.
Flipd helps you unplug without guilt. It offers focus timers, relaxing music, and mini challenges to keep you off your phone. You can even join community “focus rooms” if accountability helps. It is free but if you want the “premium” experience, it does have a monthly fee.
Ideal if you want to get things done without deleting social apps entirely.
In Forest, every time you put your phone down, a tree grows. Keep scrolling, and the tree withers. It’s a small but powerful visual reminder that you’re choosing presence over distraction.
Plus, Forest does partner with a real tree-planting organization, Trees for the Future, to plant trees. Feel good while you unplug, and plant real trees through the app too.
Sometimes we scroll because we’re avoiding our thoughts. Day One is a beautiful digital journal that gives you a safe space to reflect, vent, or jot down the little joys of the day. And just like a personal diary, you can lock it so no one else can read or write on it.
Swap the feed for a few minutes of journaling; you might be surprised by how grounding it feels.
Android and IOS (Available on PC as well.)
6. Moonly
For:Gentle self-awareness & intentionality
If you are looking for a more holistic/spiritual way to stop doomscrolling, then you should check out Moonly. This app combines moon cycle updates, affirmations, daily rituals, and mindfulness tools all in one app. It’s like a pocket-sized reminder to slow down and reconnect.
Perfect for those who love intentional living with a mystical twist.
Android and IOS
And there you have it. I think these 6 apps to stop doomscrolling prove that you don’t necessarily need to go off-grid to feel better. There are so many different options out there nowadays that are aiming to create healthier boundaries with our phones that, with the right apps and awareness, you can shift the way you use your phone without giving up the parts you love.
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