NEW: Screen Time Analytics! See your hourly usage, pickups & notifications — and take back control with smarter, presence-verified blocking.
Not Now adds a mindful pause before opening social media apps - no blocking, just intentional delays that make you reconsider whether you really want to scroll right now.
Does this sound familiar? You unlock your phone to check the time, and suddenly you're 30 minutes deep into Instagram. You didn't plan it. You didn't want it. It just… happened.
Here's the solution:
Not Now breaks the autopilot loop that makes you open social media without thinking. Instead of blocking apps completely (which never works long-term), we add a creative delay that gives your brain a moment to ask: "Did I really want to open this?"
HOW IT WORKS:
Choose your challenge. Every time you try to open a configured app (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, X), you'll face one of these mindful delays:
DELAYS:
• Animated Curtain: Watch a calming curtain animation (5-40 seconds you choose)
• Camera Mirror: See yourself in your front camera—yes, really look at yourself before scrolling
• Black Screen: Stare at a countdown timer on a black screen (5-40 seconds)
CHALLENGES:
• Type Challenge: Type a random 12-character string correctly
• Rotation Challenge: Physically rotate your phone 3-6 times
• Math Problem: Solve a math equation (Easy, Medium, or Hard difficulty)
Sounds annoying? That's the point. Social media apps are designed to be effortless. We add just enough friction to break the unconscious habit.
THE SCIENCE:
Your brain loves easy dopamine. Every time you open Instagram without thinking, you're strengthening that neural pathway. Not Now disrupts this pattern by making the action less automatic and more intentional.
This isn't willpower—it's smart design.
REAL RESULTS:
• Track how many times you reconsidered opening an app
• See your weekly time saved (we calculate 3 minutes saved per prevention)
• Daily attempt counters show your patterns
• Visual statistics help you understand your habits
FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE:
• Choose different delay types for different apps
• Adjust difficulty levels (curtain duration, rotation count)
• Configure only the apps YOU struggle with
• Your rules, your pace
WORKS SEAMLESSLY:
Not Now integrates with iOS Shortcuts—one quick setup and it works automatically. Every time you try to open a configured app, your chosen delay appears. No subscription required for core features.
PRIVACY FIRST:
Everything happens on your device. We don't collect your usage data, track which apps you open, or sell your information. Your journey to mindful phone usage is completely private.
WHO IS THIS FOR:
• You've tried app blockers but always disabled them
• You want to reduce social media without going cold turkey
• You catch yourself opening apps without meaning to
• You're ready to change your relationship with your phone
NOT NOW vs OTHER APPS:
Unlike traditional screen time apps that block or limit, Not Now works with your psychology. We don't create a forbidden fruit situation. We make impulsive scrolling slightly less appealing, so your brain naturally loses interest in constant checking.
DIGITAL WELLBEING WITHOUT THE GUILT:
This isn't about shaming yourself for phone usage. It's about creating awareness. Sometimes you'll complete the delay and open the app anyway—that's fine! The goal is intentionality, not perfection.
GET STARTED IN 60 SECONDS:
1. Download Not Now
2. Set up the one-time Shortcuts automation
3. Done. Your new mindful phone experience begins.
Take back control—not through restriction, but through awareness.
Download Not Now and turn your biggest distraction into your best decision.
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Privacy Policy: https://getnotnow.com/privacy
Terms (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
No phone icons created by nangicon - Flaticon
i like the style and how simple the app is, but it only allows you to block a limited list of apps-mostly social media. if you have trouble with messages or pinterest etc or something not on the list you cant do the animation
Developer Response
Hi! glad you like the concept and style! I’m actively working on expanding the list. Quick question: by "messages," do you mean the native Apple iMessage app? Regardless, I’m adding Pinterest and iMessage support in the very next update for you. Are there any other specific apps you are missing?
Not Now 1.6 brings powerful new insights and smarter blocking:
• NEW: Screen Time Analytics — see exactly how much time you spend on your phone with detailed hourly charts. Tap any hour to drill down into pickups, notifications, and usage.
• NEW: Presence Check — turning off a block now requires you to actually be there. A quick camera and motion check makes mindless unblocking a thing of the past.
• Home Screen shortcuts — jump straight to special offers or send us feedback right from your Home Screen.
• Improved onboarding — grant Screen Time access during setup to unlock your analytics from day one.
• Clearer subscription info — see your savings at a glance, with cancel-anytime messaging front and center.
• Bug fixes and UI polish, including smoother interactions in the analytics report.
Keep scrolling less. One "not now" at a time.
Version 1.6
The developer, DANIEL ANGIELCZYK, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Location
Identifiers
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
DANIEL ANGIELCZYK
Size
135.8 MB
Category
Productivity
Compatibility
Requires iOS 18.2 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 18.2 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 15.2 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
