Everything You Need to Take Back Control
Respite uses behavioral science—not shame—to help you become the person who puts their phone down and doesn't think twice about it.
What is Respite?
Respite is a privacy-first digital wellbeing app that helps you build healthier relationships with technology. Instead of just blocking apps, it uses mindful interventions to create moments of awareness, helping you make conscious choices about screen time. Your usage history stays on your device, no account is needed, and it runs on iPhone, Android and Chrome.
Learn more about our privacy-first approach (iPhone, Android, Chrome) or download Respite today to start building healthier digital habits.
Core Features
Finally See the Truth
You tell yourself it's only 20 minutes. The data tells a different story. Respite shows you exactly where your time goes—without judgment.
- Daily time summaries
- Per-app usage breakdown
- Weekly and monthly trends
- Category-based grouping
Set Boundaries You Actually Keep
Choose how much time feels right for each app. When you're getting close, Respite lets you know, with a gentle heads-up and no lectures. On iPhone you can also turn on an app lock that covers an app once today's time is used.
- Custom time limits per app
- Visual progress rings
- Goal achievement celebrations
- Flexible limit adjustments
The 3-Second Pause That Changes Everything
Before an app opens, a simple screen appears: 'Is this what you want to be doing right now?' That tiny moment is all it takes.
- Customizable reminder messages
- Timer-based interventions
- Multiple intervention types
- Reflection prompts
Celebrate Every Win (Even the Small Ones)
Day 1 feels small. Day 7 feels like something. Day 30 feels like you're becoming someone new. Respite tracks your streaks because lasting change deserves recognition.
- Daily streak tracking
- Milestone celebrations
- Achievement badges
- Streak recovery options
Watch Your Progress Unfold
Beautiful charts show your journey over days, weeks, and months. See your baseline shrink, and feel the pride of measurable progress.
- Usage trend charts
- Baseline comparisons
- Improvement metrics
- Exportable reports
Ask Yourself: Is This What I Want?
Custom prompts invite you to pause and reflect before diving into an app. Breathing exercises calm the impulse. It's mindfulness, built into your phone.
- Custom reflection prompts
- Breathing exercises
- Intention setting
- Usage journaling
Your Progress, At a Glance
On Android, a widget on your home screen shows your streak and today's progress. One look is often enough to remind you of who you're becoming.
- Home screen widgets (Android)
- Quick settings toggle (Android)
- One-tap stats view
- Notification center integration
We Literally Cannot See Your Data
No account needed, and your usage history stays on your phone. Sync is optional and only happens if you sign in. Your digital life is yours.
- Works offline
- History stored on your phone
- No account required
- No ads
What Each Version Does
Respite is the same idea on every device, but each app is built for its platform. Features below belong only to the platform they are listed under.
iPhone and iPad
Built on Apple's Screen Time, which keeps the apps you pick private, even from Respite. App names never leave your iPhone.
- A pause when you open an app you picked
- Three ways to pause: every time, Smart timing, or a time budget
- Daily limits and an app lock that covers an app once today's time is used
- Built on Apple's Screen Time, so app names stay on your iPhone
Android
A mindful pause before the apps you choose, daily limits, usage analytics and streaks.
- A pause before the apps you choose
- Usage analytics and daily limits
- Optional Reels and Shorts blocking, using the Accessibility service
- Streaks and home screen widgets
Chrome extension
The same pause for the websites that pull you in on a laptop.
- Website time tracking
- Focus mode
- Usage insights
- Quick settings
How Respite Works
Notice
Respite quietly observes which apps pull you in. Within a day, you'll see exactly where your time goes.
Pause
When you reach for a distracting app on autopilot, a gentle prompt appears. Not to scold you—to ask: 'Is this what you want right now?'
Transform
Small choices compound. After a week, the pull weakens. After a month, you reach for your phone less. After three months, people start asking what changed about you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Respite track app usage?
Respite runs on your device, noting which apps you use and how long you spend in each one. Your usage history is stored on your device; it only syncs to our servers if you sign in. On iPhone, Apple's Screen Time reports the minutes without ever telling Respite the app's name. What each version collects, including any anonymous analytics or crash reports, is listed in its privacy policy.
Is Respite better than other screen time apps?
Unlike blocking-based solutions that use shame and restriction, Respite uses psychology-backed mindful interventions. Instead of preventing app access, we create moments of awareness so you can make conscious choices about your time. Studies show this compassionate approach leads to more lasting behavior change.
Does Respite work offline?
Yes. Respite's tracking, stats, and interventions all happen on your device and work offline. You don't need an account or an internet connection; sync is optional.
Can I use Respite on multiple devices?
Yes. Respite works independently on each device: iPhone, Android and Chrome. Currently, data doesn't sync between devices, keeping everything local and private. Each device maintains its own usage history and settings.
What makes Respite privacy-first?
Respite never sells your data and shows no ads. Your usage history stays on your device unless you sign in to sync. You don't need to create an account, and each platform's privacy policy says exactly what it collects.
Ready to Take Back Control?
Change your relationship with your phone, one gentle pause at a time.