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Now available on Android

Build the habit of putting your phone down.

With gentle, behavioral science–⁠informed tools, Freeloop helps you break out of automatic scrolling, stick to your intentions, and take back control of your time.

Get it on Google Play

iPhone version in development

Free to download

The problem

Your doomscrolling isn’t a lack of willpower —
it’s a habit running on autopilot.

Here’s what really happens after you pick up your phone.

  1. You pick up your phone. Just for a second.
  2. Your thumb opens the app on its own. No decision, just habit.
  3. Something new appears: a small hit of reward.
  4. And right away, a pull: I want more.
  5. So you scroll. New post, new reward. The loop closes.
  6. Now it runs by itself. No bottom, no natural place to stop.
  7. The loop keeps feeding itself: more urge, less satisfaction.
  8. In the end you’re not even enjoying it. You keep going on autopilot.

These apps are built around how our minds work, using psychology and behavioral science to keep us trapped in this loop.But what if we turned that same knowledge around to help us break free?

See how Freeloop does that
The research behind the loop

Repetition strengthens the urge for a reward more than the enjoyment of it (Berridge & Robinson, 2016), and habits keep going even when the reward is gone. In one study, people who usually eat popcorn at the movies ate just as much stale popcorn as fresh (Neal et al., 2011).

How Freeloop helps

You set the limits.
You build the control.

Unlike strict blockers, Freeloop helps you recognize when to stop and make that decision for yourself.

Our goal isn’t to replace your self-control.
It’s to help you strengthen it.

  1. Back to the loop. You reach for the app again…
  2. …but this time, Freeloop gently steps in as you open the app.A chance to choose where there wasn’t one before.
  3. First, your own words. A reminder of why you made this commitment.Feeling connected to your future self tends to steer choices toward what you want later (Hershfield, 2011).
  4. Then, a mindful question gives you a chance to notice what’s driving the urge.Reflecting on why you’re using your phone can help make your intentions more conscious (Terzimehić et al., 2022).
  5. A few slow breaths. You can feel the urge without having to follow it.People taught to observe their urges acted on them less, even when the urges felt just as strong (Bowen & Marlatt, 2009).
  6. Now you choose: stop or continue for a time you commit to. The decision stays yours.Giving people the choice to stop and letting them set their own limits can support more intentional phone use (Grüning et al., 2023; Sachdeva et al., 2026).
  7. And if you continue, Freeloop comes back when your time is up.The endless feed finally has a stopping point.
  8. Pause after pause, you get another chance to choose.Little by little, scrolling can become intentional again. A longitudinal study found that repeated app-opening interventions were associated with more intentional smartphone use over time (Haliburton et al., 2024).

Still can’t stop scrolling?

Freeloop’s Guided Reset is designed for those moments when you feel truly stuck in the loop.

Discover Guided Reset
The research behind each step
A soft pastel sunrise over hills, with a winding path leading toward the sun.

Guided Reset

Find your way back to what matters.

When stopping feels difficult, Guided Reset walks you through a few moments of awareness, grounding, and breathing, then helps you get started on something else.

  1. Notice

    Recognize what you’re feeling and reconnect with the world around you.

  2. Breathe

    Follow a few slow breaths and give yourself a moment before deciding what comes next.

  3. Take one small step

    Choose something you’d rather be doing, put your phone down, and give it just two minutes.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Write to us.

How is Freeloop different from traditional app blockers?

Unlike strict blockers, Freeloop gives you opportunities to pause, reflect, and make your own decisions. The aim is to help you develop more intentional habits, rather than simply restricting access.

Can I still use my apps when I need to?

Yes. You can choose to continue for a duration you set. Freeloop helps you follow through on that decision by checking in again when the time is up.

Can I choose which apps Freeloop pauses and when?

You can create personalized commitments, choosing the apps, schedules, days, and usage limits that work for you.

What if I still can’t stop scrolling?

Guided Reset offers a more structured experience to help you step away from scrolling and begin a small activity of your choice.

What if I need quick access to reply to a message or handle something urgent?

You can enable an urgent-access option in your commitments that lets you skip the intervention for 2 minutes. When that time is up, Freeloop steps in again.

Can I set my own usage limits?

Absolutely! You decide which apps to limit, when your commitments are active, and how much time you want to allow. Freeloop helps you stick to the limits you choose.

Can I see statistics about my phone usage?

Yes! Freeloop provides detailed statistics and insights into your screen time, app opens, and scrolling patterns, helping you better understand your habits and track your progress.

Break the loop. Break free.

Your attention was never meant to be trapped in an endless loop.There’s more to life beyond the screen.

Get it on Google Play

iPhone version in development

Free to download