# PausePet — Digital Detox Companion > Virtual pet simulator that gamifies screen time reduction. (iPhone/iPad app by Joshua Desmond.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pausepet/id6761550085 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Joshua Desmond](https://appshunter.io/developer/1890232224) - Category: Productivity, Games, Simulation - Price: Free - Rating: 5.00/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.6 · 47 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-08-15 - Data updated: 2026-10-08 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pausepet/id6761550085/reviews.md ## What is PausePet? PausePet is a pet simulator built to help you stay away from distracting apps on your phone. Your pet's mood and growth are dependent on the amount of screen time you have. PausePet is not a simple timer, but an ongoing simulation; if you scroll too much, your pet will get sad! HOW IT WORKS: PausePet reads device usage data on your phone and scores your screen time across three 8-hour periods each day: • Solar: 8:00am – 4:00pm • Ember: 4:00pm – 12:00am • Stillness: 12:00am – 8:00am Each period gets a score from 0 to 5. Those scores feed into your pet’s hunger, experience, leveling, and mood. Your pet is especially sensitive to phone use during Stillness hours. CARE FOR YOUR PET: Start with an egg. Warm it and tap it regularly until it hatches. After hatching, feed and pet your pet to keep it healthy and happy. Check in to collect focus points when you earn them. Going too long without care puts your pet at risk. Your pet’s emotions reflect a mix of recent usage scores and how well you’ve been caring for it. Level up by feeding, petting, and checking in over time. THE GARDEN: Scoring particularly well will give you the chance to collect seeds. Plant seeds in one of six garden plots. Active plants provide benefits until they reach the end of their lifespan, then you can harvest them. The garden will help you progress further in the world of PausePet, and give you even more reason to stay true to your screen time goals. PRIVACY: Your device usage data from other apps never leaves your device. PausePet uses it locally to calculate scores. Optional cloud backup saves pet progress if you create an account. REQUIREMENTS: PausePet needs Screen Time / Device Activity permission to track usage. On first launch you’ll choose which apps to monitor. ## Key features - Virtual pet simulation - Screen time tracking - Pet care and growth mechanics - Focus point collection - In-app garden for progression - Privacy-focused data handling ## Is PausePet safe? Not enough ratings yet to assess PausePet. ## Is PausePet legit? PausePet has limited verification signals. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for PausePet is 58 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## Recent user reviews (1 of 1) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pausepet/id6761550085/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Wonderful APP! *2026-10-01* This is a terrific app. I can finally sleep through the night instead of peeking at my phone. Thank you for this app! ## Frequently asked questions about PausePet ### How does PausePet track my screen time? PausePet requires Screen Time / Device Activity permission to monitor your phone usage. It calculates scores across three 8-hour periods each day: Solar, Ember, and Stillness, based on your scrolling activity. ### What happens if I use my phone too much in PausePet? Your virtual pet's mood and growth are directly affected by your screen time. Excessive use, especially during 'Stillness' hours, will make your pet sad and can put its well-being at risk. ### Can I play PausePet offline? The core functionality of PausePet, including pet care and screen time tracking, can be used offline. However, optional cloud backup for pet progress requires an account and an internet connection. ### How often is PausePet updated? PausePet was last updated on 2026-08-24 with version 0.3.5. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, the recent update suggests ongoing development and support. ### What devices does PausePet support? PausePet is currently supported on iPhones. Future compatibility with other devices may be considered based on user demand and development resources. ### Is PausePet suitable for children? PausePet has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger users. Its focus on reducing screen time can also be beneficial for children developing healthy digital habits. ### Does PausePet have ads? No, PausePet does not contain advertisements. The app is completely free to download and use without any ad interruptions. ### What are the benefits of the garden in PausePet? Scoring well in screen time goals allows you to collect seeds for the in-app garden. Active plants provide benefits and can be harvested, helping you progress further in the game and providing extra motivation to maintain your screen time goals. ## Version history (last 2 releases) ### 0.3.5 — 2026-08-24 Bug fixes for release! ### 0.3.4 — 2026-08-15 No release notes. ## Apps similar to PausePet | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Palli: Your Self-Care Pet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/palli-your-self-care-pet/id6757571736) | 5.0 (7) | Free | Productivity | | [Ravelo: Screen Time Banking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ravelo-screen-time-banking/id6760021476) | — | Free | Productivity | | [Keyboard :DictionaryInput](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keyboard-dictionaryinput/id1459476730) | — | Free | Productivity | | [Signal by EverTrue](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signal-by-evertrue/id623475796) | 4.8 (180) | Free | Productivity | | [Artist Growth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artist-growth/id1630210606) | 4.1 (15) | Free | Productivity | | [Goal Tracker - Rise](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goal-tracker-rise/id6478199608) | 4.5 (26) | Free | Productivity | --- *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 2026-10-08.*