We Might Finally Have a Realistic Digital Detox Option

[LoneWonderer]

This is as close to perfect as it gets. Ticks basically all the boxes. Sadly only available for Samsung devices and pricey. Otherwise seems like first true legit option from a company based in Barcelona. Learned about it from latest Mrwhosetheboss youtube video:

https://www.thebalancephone.com/

I'll consider installing it this month. As long as it doesn't block actualized.org we all good! 🫣

Some more links:

 

 

1. Seems once installed no way to uninstall or remove unlike other OS skins. Subscription is yearly so you're stuck with this OS for at least a year.

2. Blocks all dompanine driven apps & web versions (social media, youtube, porn, games, etc).

3. Very hard to find workarounds unless you're a very tech savvy android user.

4. On their site you can search for your specific app needs and websites and see if the os blocks them or not when considering purchasing the OS/physical phone (if a physical version is available to purchase in your country). 

5. Runs as a skin on top of your current samsung os so you still get all your regular phone and security updates.

Edited July 12 by LoneWonderer

[QVx]

Thanks for sharing, going to look into this.

[UnbornTao]

You can just turn off your phone.

[LoneWonderer]

28 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:

You can just turn off your phone.

Willpower with this stuff doesn't work mate and you know it. Also this is great because it let's you keep all your work apps but cuts everything else out.

Edited July 12 by LoneWonderer

[UnbornTao]

1 minute ago, LoneWonderer said:

Willpower with this stuff doesn't work mate and you know it. Also this is great because it let's you keep all your work apps but cuts everything else out.

There are probably people out there who simply are not addicted to their phones, but I see what you mean, thanks for the suggestion.

[LoneWonderer]

6 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:

There are probably people out there who simply are not addicted to their phones, but I see what you mean, thanks for the suggestion.

Those people are a minority that have such great self control over phone tech, and the vast majority of us really struggle with smartphone addiction. It's a form of self harm and abuse we cause ourselves but have little cotrol over realistically because we need phone apps for work, commute etc. Any tool like this that can finally once and for all let us keep the tools and discard everything else on the phone is a godsense I believe. 

This has been my biggest struggle, I need a phone for work and just daily life but then it comes with all the very negative dopamine driven apps over which I realistically have little self control. I was amazed that my average screen on time is around 5-7h a day! This is extremly unhealthy!

Edited July 12 by LoneWonderer

[QVx]

An update to this thread, I have been using the Balance Phone Pro for a few weeks and it has been very good at reducing distractions and preventing me from using porn.

My next step is to contact balance as ask them to block news sites, then potentially forums, as I am mindless scrolling through them now instead.

[systematic_chaos]

The problem with all such devices and blockers is that they block at the app and website level and many apps and websites are dual purpose. Three classic examples: Telegram, Youtube, Reddit. All three can be used to get useful information and/or communicate in DMs but all three can also be powerfully addictive.

Youtube has some really great high quality content e.g Actualized.org!! Which I never would have found otherwise. It also has garbage content. There is still no good solution to this problem that one person can execute, it's a higher level system problem that useful information is tied up in garbage applications.

[Jannes]

Things like this existed before. 

The problem I have with something like this is that it isnt flexible. Some things which may be seen as a distraction are actually quite useful. Like I have my calender and to do list conveniently as widgets on my phone and I need them. Couldnt really do that with that system. 

You can minimalize your phone manually to a very strong degree though. I have only got my essential apps, put them in grey colours. My browser blocks all distractive websites. I dont know if I would gain much if anything from switching to this.

[LoneWonderer]

On 04/11/2026 at 7:18 AM, QVx said:

An update to this thread, I have been using the Balance Phone Pro for a few weeks and it has been very good at reducing distractions and preventing me from using porn.

My next step is to contact balance as ask them to block news sites, then potentially forums, as I am mindless scrolling through them now instead.

Glad to hear it's working for you!

[Joseph Maynor]

This is ridiculous.  What is this?

[Jannes]

Just looked at the available apps. You pretty much get all the basics. I minimalized my phone manually and basically found all my apps on the list with the exception of an adhd app and firefox. Firefox I slimmed down a lot though so it would probably be similiar to chrome. So the only thing that would change would be the design and even that can be mimicked. 

I think the only strong benefit this has over manually minimalizing your phone is that it takes no will power to do it. For those who struggle with re-downloading social media and stuff like this, this can be very useful. 

[Jannes]

1 hour ago, Joseph Maynor said:

This is ridiculous.  What is this?

This is a genious move to gain control over your social media usage. I cant stress the impact that this can have on your life enough. 

[Jannes]

This wood background is super minimalistic but a bit more interesting then black yet very calming. Just found it and feel like sharing it. 

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwallpapercave.com%2Fwp%2Fwp4792785.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=d3ace8df869e7ff96c88ac4ec81d5517dec3d6fff51826c1be70c870badab226&ipo=images