Tether: Mindful Screen Time
Pause before you open apps
Free
Tether helps you use your phone with intention. Instead of opening a distracting app on autopilot, you meet a brief, calming pause — or a quick brain challenge — first. That small moment is often all it takes to choose differently.
You decide which apps to gate and how. Nothing is forced, nothing is hidden, and everything stays on your device.
HOW IT WORKS
• App Shielding — Choose the apps you want to be more intentional about. When you open one, Tether greets you with a mindful pause or a short cognitive challenge before letting you through.
• Mindful pauses — A quiet breath before you scroll. Stay shielded, or continue with intention.
• Brain challenges — Quick questions that wake up your mind instead of numbing it.
• Daily limits — Set an optional time budget for your gated apps.
• Focus schedules — Set up to three daily windows where your chosen apps stay actively shielded.
PRIVATE BY DESIGN
Tether was built privacy-first. Your name, birth date, goals, and app choices never leave your device. There are no ads, no trackers, and no data sales. An optional, off-by-default setting lets you share anonymous counts to help our nonprofit measure impact — no identity, no app names, no usage data — and you can turn it off or delete it anytime.
BUILT ON APPLE SCREEN TIME
Tether uses Apple's Screen Time (Family Controls) so shielding works reliably and privately. Tether never sees which apps you choose — the selection stays on your device.
FOR FAMILIES
Parents can set up a child profile (Kids mode) with no data collection, age-appropriate content only, and donations and insights disabled.
FROM A NONPROFIT
Tether is made by the Tether Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the intentional and mindful use of technology. The app is free, with no in-app purchases. If you'd like to support the mission, an optional donation opens securely in your browser — never required to use any feature.
Be mindful. Tech responsibly.
Set your focus times exactly — tap any time to pick the hour and minute, and schedule focus periods that run overnight (like 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM). Plus a fresh weekly reflection to think on.
The developer, Tether Foundation INC, 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:
- Usage Data
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Tether Foundation, INC
- Size
- 35.2 MB
- Category
- Health & Fitness
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 16.4 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 16.4 or later. - iPad
Requires iPadOS 16.4 or later.
- iPhone
- Languages
- English
- Age Rating
4+
- 4+
- This app is rated 4+ with content restrictions.
Some content may be rated higher, and may therefore be restricted and managed by the developer through in-app controls. - In-App Controls
Parental Controls
- Copyright
- © 2026 Tether Foundation