Show HN: I built Aphel – a focus app that helps you break phone addiction
Hey HN,
I built Aphel, a focused and minimalist screen time app that helps you regain control over your phone usage and eliminate fake dopamine hits from addictive apps.
Most screen time apps are either too passive (just stats) or feel like parental controls. Aphel is built for people who want to build discipline without relying on motivation.
Key features:
Focus Timer with a strict mode that blocks selected apps until the timer ends
Automated schedules like "Work Hours" or "Night Reading"
Dopamine Load score that helps you visualize how much of your time was driven by distractions
Built using Apple’s native Screen Time API — no VPNs, no accessibility hacks
Fully private — no account required, no tracking, no ads
I built this for myself after getting frustrated with endless scrolling and losing hours of deep work. Aphel is designed to be a practical tool for self-respect and long-term focus.
You can try it here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aphel-screen-time-control/id67...
Happy to answer questions or share more about how I built it.
Thanks, Can
These apps are quite funny. Pay to use for phone less? Also self-proclaimed ”#1 screen time control” after a few months, I doubt it.