# Friction - Reduce Screen Time — Stop Doomscrolling

> Productivity app to reduce screen time via physical challenges. (iPhone/iPad app by TalkUp LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/friction-reduce-screen-time/id6758893858 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [TalkUp LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1767264111)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 318 App Store ratings · 9 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.6 · 53 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-02-26
- Data updated: 2026-09-04
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/friction-reduce-screen-time/id6758893858/reviews.md

## What is Friction?

Friction helps you stop doomscrolling by making screen time intentional.

Instead of opening distracting apps automatically, Friction asks you to complete a quick challenge first. Do a few push-ups, squats, or a plank, and earn scrolling time on purpose.

How it works:
• Connect Screen Time and choose the apps you want to control
• Complete short physical challenges to unlock access
• Earn minutes based on reps and track your progress
• Build better habits through small, repeatable actions

Why Friction:
• Breaks impulsive scrolling loops
• Turns “just 5 minutes” into a conscious choice
• Helps you train discipline daily, not occasionally
• Clean, fast flow designed for real-world use

Privacy-first by design:
• Exercise detection runs on-device
• We do not collect, store, or share your Screen Time data
• Challenge processing stays local to your device

If you’re serious about reducing mindless scrolling and reclaiming your focus, Friction is built for you.

Subscription notice:
• Friction uses an auto-renewable subscription to access paid features
• Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase
• Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period
• You can manage and cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings

If you’re serious about reducing mindless scrolling and reclaiming your focus, Friction is built for you.

TERMS: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Complete physical challenges to earn screen time
- Connect to Screen Time for app control
- Track progress and build discipline
- Privacy-first design with on-device detection
- Breaks impulsive scrolling loops
- Customizable app blocking

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Monthly Subscription | $7.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Monthly Subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $19.99 | per year |


## Recent user reviews (9 of 9)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/friction-reduce-screen-time/id6758893858/reviews.md

### 1/5 — SCAM DONT BUY

*2026-07-26, version 1.4.2*

So for context I want to get off my phone more so I looked for an app like this one where you had to do push ups or something like that to get screen time. It does cost money but on the plans it said $2 a month and I thought, oh that’s super cheap I’ll buy it. But no it charged me $21.83 on my card and I was not expecting that monthly. So yeah don’t buy it unless you want to pay $20 a month!

### 1/5 — sucks

*2026-07-18*

can get rid off the app

### 1/5 — $

*2026-06-16, version 1.4.0*

You have to pay in order to use the app

### 1/5 — Make it free

*2026-05-11, version 1.3.3*

You have to pay

### 5/5 — Super cool app

*2026-05-01, version 1.3.1*

Just started using and can’t wait to get focused!

### 1/5 — I don’t like it

*2026-04-12, version 1.1.2*

It should be able to access back camera and be able to connect to a different device I want that because my front camera is blurry and won’t work. At least make the app work with blurry cameras

### 1/5 — L

*2026-04-07, version 1.1.0*

it wouldve been helpful to know that i would have to pay for this

### 1/5 — This doesn’t count my squats

*2026-04-05, version 1.0.9*

I did half a squat and it gave me nine squats, and it still went up when I didn’t even do them bad app tracking should be improved

### 4/5 — Too expensive

*2026-04-04, version 1.0.9*

It costs money😡

## Frequently asked questions about Friction

### How does Friction help reduce screen time?

Friction requires users to complete short physical challenges, like push-ups or planks, to unlock access to distracting apps. This intentional delay helps break impulsive scrolling habits and makes screen time more conscious.

### What are the subscription options for Friction?

Friction offers several subscription plans, including monthly options at $5.99 and $7.99, and yearly options at $14.99 and $19.99. Some yearly plans include a 3-day free trial.

### Is Friction available on Android devices?

Based on the provided data, Friction is supported on iPhone and iPad. Information regarding Android compatibility is not available.

### How often is Friction updated?

The latest version of Friction is 1.3.8, and it was last updated on May 29, 2026. This indicates regular updates to improve functionality and reliability.

### Does Friction collect my Screen Time data?

No, Friction is privacy-first by design. Exercise detection runs on-device, and the app does not collect, store, or share your Screen Time data. Challenge processing also stays local to your device.

### What is the age rating for Friction?

Friction has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. This rating suggests it contains no mature content.

### How can I cancel my Friction subscription?

You can manage and cancel your auto-renewable subscription in your App Store account settings. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period.

### What do users like about Friction?

Users appreciate Friction's clean flow, its effectiveness in breaking impulsive scrolling loops, and its ability to turn short usage into a conscious choice. The privacy-first design is also a key positive aspect.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5.0 — 2026-08-12

Bug fixes, performance improvements, and new ways to help you win back your time.

### 1.4.2 — 2026-07-07

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 1.4.1 — 2026-07-01

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 1.4.0 — 2026-06-13

Bug fixes and performance improvements

### 1.3.9 — 2026-06-04

Bug fixes and performance improvements!

## More apps by TalkUp LLC

- [TalkUp - Become Confident](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/talkup-become-confident/id6670729739)
- [AutoLab - Customize Your Car](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autolab-customize-your-car/id6744002895)
- [BookBoyfriend: Custom Novels](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookboyfriend-custom-novels/id6745243870)
- [RidePal - Find Trails, Compete](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridepal-find-trails-compete/id6747648450)
- [RidePal - MTB Trails & GPS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridepal-mtb-trails-and-gps/id6749344165)
- [Finda - Mobile Geolocator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/finda-mobile-geolocator/id6749564380)

All apps by TalkUp LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1767264111

## Related topics

[friction](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/friction) · [tome talk](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/tome-talk) · [time talks](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/time-talks)

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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 2026-09-04.*