Work · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to DTCH

iOS app to encourage you to gently curb your phone usage

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. DTCH launched in 2021; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1AT
   App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone▲817

   2024 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   minimalist phone app for iOS ▲356

   Your calmer, digital detox experience on iPhone

   Jan 2026 · minimalistphone.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Unmute▲144

   Let your iPhone speak for you, on the phone

   2021 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Don't Touch My Phone▲71

   Protect your phone from thieves

   2018 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   WalkLock▲93

   Walk to unlock apps

   2022 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   not less but better▲120

   Build healthy phone habits with 5 minutes a day 😌

   2021 · its alternatives →

7. 7
   ScreenBreak▲125

   Hi HN, I built ScreenBreak after realizing that most app blockers failed in practice. “Hard blocks” were too rigid — I either locked myself out entirely or tapped Ignore Limit and kept scrolling. There was no useful middle state. In reality, people still need to open apps like TikTok or Instagram for specific tasks: looking something up, replying to someone, checking updates, etc. The problem isn’t intentional use; it’s the unplanned, unconscious scrolling that follows. I wanted a system that interrupts the impulse without fully preventing access. ScreenBreak uses soft blocking plus…

   Dec 2025 · screenbreak.app · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Reclaim Scroll Detox▲64

   Unhook from Endless Scrolling

   Feb 2026 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Smart Silence – Remind your iPhone to stay quiet in quiet places▲55

   Hi HN, I built an iPhone app called *Smart Silence* after sitting in a quiet setting (a service, actually) where someone’s phone rang loudly and interrupted everything. It wasn’t intentional — just one of those forgetful moments. I started wondering: what if our phones could gently remind us to stay silent when it matters? *Smart Silence* helps iPhone users do just that. It lets you: - Mark places where silence is expected (like libraries, meetings, classes, or houses of worship) - Get a reminder when you enter, with an easy Shortcut to enable Do Not Disturb - Schedule quiet times (e.g.…

   2025 · testflight.apple.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Actuflow - Android▲77

    Makes your device usage meaningful

    2020 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Unhook▲82

    Reduce screen time on your phone by taking short walks

    2018 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    one sec▲88

    Take a deep breath before opening social media

    2021 · one-sec.app · its alternatives →

13. 13
    The Spoke▲86

    Instantly discover and decide what to do with friends.

    2019 · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Plicly▲85

    App for real-time posture correction to improve well-being

    2020 · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Polite▲86

    Automatically silence your phone during calendar events

    2016 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Self Control Block Distracting Websites▲83

    Block distractions to eliminate wasteful browsing habits

    2017 · selfcontrol.apki.io · its alternatives →

17. 17
    CTRL▲4

    The iOS app that helps you actually put your phone down

    Mar 2026 · tryctrl.tech · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Oto · Focus & Refresh▲3

    Turn phone cravings into movement, not blocking

    Jun 2026 · its alternatives →

19. 19
    FocusCall▲6

    The reminder you can't swipe away - it calls you

    Jul 2026 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Away▲4

    Put your phone down. Recover your time

    Aug 2026 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Unlockr - Earn Screen Time▲3

    Block distracting apps. Earn access with movement.

    Aug 2026 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    FitPhone, do push-ups to unlock apps▲18

    Get fit and reduce screen-time

    2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    lockmeout.online▲7

    Temporarily lock yourself out from your phone or account

    2024 · lockmeout.online · its alternatives →

24. 24
    ComfortCall▲20

    Get out of awkward moments — without faking it.

    2025 · tactical-form-511209.framer.app · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →