# But First: Read Then Scroll — The good thing goes first

> Prioritize productive app usage before unlocking distracting apps. (iPhone/iPad app by Adam Silverness.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/but-first-read-then-scroll/id6792192327 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Adam Silverness](https://appshunter.io/developer/6792192329)
- Category: Productivity, Lifestyle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-10-01
- Data updated: 2026-10-31
- Monetization: freemium

## What is But First?

You didn't decide to open Instagram. Your thumb decided. Twenty minutes later, the book on your Kindle App is still on chapter one - and tomorrow morning it happens again.
That's why But First exists. Not another app to keep you off your phone. Not another gamified app. Just one that puts the apps you want first - and makes the ones you don't wait their turn.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Pick your apps. Choose what waits (Instagram, TikTok, games...) and what counts (Kindle, Duolingo, your Bible app...). You pick both — the app doesn't judge.
2. Set a daily goal. 10 minutes, 20, 60 — your call. iOS itself tracks your time in the counting apps. No timers to start, and changing the clock won't fool it.
3. Do the good thing first. Locked apps stay shielded until you hit your goal. Then everything opens until midnight, and locks again tomorrow. Automatically.

ROUTINES PEOPLE BUILD

• 20 minutes of reading, then Instagram unlocks
• One language lesson's worth of time, then TikTok unlocks
• Bible before YouTube
• Meditation before Reddit
• Focus timer before games

Screen Time sets limits. But First sets the order. You don't have to quit anything — distraction just goes second.

FREE AND PRO

Free gets the complete loop: one locked app + one counting app, a daily goal, the shield, the widgets. Not a crippled demo — the whole habit works.
Pro adds unlimited locked and counting apps, whole categories, website blocking, and strict mode.

STRICT MODE (AND AN HONEST ESCAPE)

Normal mode keeps an "Unlock today" button in Settings, behind one gentle dialog. Its title: "but first*". Its message: "*you did install an app called But First." Strict mode removes that button until midnight, for days you mean it.
And full honesty: you can always delete the app or revoke Screen Time permission. No app can truly force you, and we won't pretend this one can — But First is for people who want the help.

PRIVATE BY DESIGN

Built on Apple's Screen Time framework. When you pick apps, we only ever receive anonymous tokens — never app names, never your history. Nothing leaves your phone. No account. No usage analytics. We couldn't sell your data if we wanted to, because we never have it.

WIDGETS AND WATCH

A progress ring on your Home Screen and Lock Screen, and a "you're done for today" notification that mirrors to your Apple Watch.

PRICING

But First Pro: $29.99/year with a 7-day free trial (recommended), $3.99/month, or $49.99 lifetime (launch price).

Subscriptions are billed to your Apple Account and renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. The annual plan charges when the 7-day trial ends; cancel during the trial and you pay nothing. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings, then your name, then Subscriptions.

Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Privacy Policy: https://butfirst.app/privacy/

One more thing: this app is built by one person. If something's off, email asilverness@gmail.com — you'll hear back within a day or two.

## Key features

- Prioritize app access
- Set daily usage goals
- Unlock distracting apps after goal completion
- Strict mode for enhanced focus
- Widgets for progress tracking
- Privacy-focused design

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| But First Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| But First Pro Monthly | $3.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime Pro | $49.99 | one-time |


## Is But First safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess But First.

## Is But First legit?

But First: Read Then Scroll has limited verification signals. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for But First is 58 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.


## Frequently asked questions about But First

### How does But First work?

But First allows you to designate 'locked' apps (like social media or games) and 'counting' apps (like reading or learning apps). You set a daily goal for using the counting apps, and the locked apps are only accessible after you meet that goal.

### What is the difference between the free and Pro versions of But First?

The free version offers the core functionality with one locked and one counting app. The Pro version unlocks unlimited apps, allows blocking entire categories, enables website blocking, and includes a strict mode for enhanced focus.

### Does But First have ads?

No, But First does not contain advertisements. The app is designed to be free of distractions, and this includes avoiding in-app ads.

### What are the pricing options for But First Pro?

But First Pro is available with a 7-day free trial for $29.99 per year, or as a $3.99 monthly subscription. A lifetime purchase option is also available for $49.99.

### Can I cancel my But First Pro subscription?

Yes, you can manage or cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple Account settings. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends.

### Is But First safe for children?

But First has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger users. It utilizes Apple's Screen Time framework for privacy and does not collect personal app usage data.

### How often is But First updated?

The latest version of But First is 1.2, and it was last updated on October 5, 2026. Updates typically address bug fixes and feature enhancements.

### What devices does But First support?

But First is currently supported on iPhone devices. It also offers a notification mirroring feature for Apple Watch.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.2 — 2026-10-05

• Strict mode now starts the moment you turn it on.
• Finished for the day? Changes in Settings now apply to tomorrow instead of locking you back in.
• Fixed: minutes could stop counting until you opened the app.
• Fixed: the app could say Screen Time access was off when it wasn't.

### 1.1.12 — 2026-10-04

A new look, top to bottom.
• A bigger progress ring, and clear cards for the apps that count and the apps that wait. Tap a card to see or change its apps.
• When you're done, the home screen shows what's unlocked and when it locks again.
• Settings, the widget and the screen you see when an app is locked all match.
• Fixed: on the free plan you can always take an app off a list, even when it has more apps than Free covers.
• Fixed: on iOS 27, the OK button on the locked-app screen was hard to see.

### 1.0.1 — 2026-10-02

A few small improvements. Thanks for putting the good thing first.

### 1.0 (5) — 2026-10-01

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-10-31.*