--- title: "Oh My Hours Tracks Phone Usage with Blocks of Time" url: https://newscentral.site/oh-my-hours-tracks-phone-usage-with-blocks-of-time/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Technology" published: 2026-10-30T11:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-31T21:53:21.904Z id: d3a62466-429e-4411-b306-82e57503dde2 source: "Wired https://www.wired.com/story/oh-my-hours-ios-app/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/oh-my-hours-tracks-phone-usage-with-blocks-of-time/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Oh My Hours Tracks Phone Usage with Blocks of Time The new Oh My Hours app helps users monitor and reduce their phone usage by tracking wasted hours spent scrolling through their devices. A new app has emerged that tracks users' wasted hours spent scrolling through their phones, providing a harsh reality check for those struggling with screen time addiction. Oh My Hours, available for iOS devices, takes an unconventional approach to monitoring phone usage by dividing each day into blocks of time that can be used or wasted. A black mark is then placed next to the hours during which users' phones have distracted them. The app's simplicity and effectiveness make it a potential solution for those seeking to develop healthier phone habits. Rather than focusing on specific apps like Instagram, Oh My Hours highlights the broader impact of social media algorithms and infinite scrolling on users' time. To get started with Oh My Hours, users can download the free iOS version, but to unlock advanced features, they must pay a fee of either $10 per year or $20 for lifetime access. The user interface of Oh My Hours displays each day as a series of circles representing hours lost to distracting apps. The circles are filled in black for every hour spent on an app that pulls users away from more productive activities. The app allows users to select categories or individual apps they consider distractions, and it tracks the time spent on these apps with a minimalist approach. This makes it easy to visualize the amount of time wasted on non-essential activities, especially when viewing progress over extended periods like weeks or months. Users can extend the threshold period for marking an hour as lost through settings, but this feature is only available to those who pay for the app. By default, any time spent in a distracting app, even just seconds, is counted towards the total hours lost. This approach may seem harsh, but it's designed to help users become more mindful of their screen time and make changes accordingly. The app allows users to set designated quiet hours when they want to minimize their phone use. During these times, any use of distracting apps will automatically darken the blocks for those hours in the corresponding time zone. This feature can be customized by users, regardless of whether they are using the app for free or as a paid subscriber. The user has control over how this feature is applied. One of the features that sets this app apart from others is its ability to allow users to reset an hour if they believe it was marked incorrectly. This level of control gives users more agency in tracking their screen time and making changes accordingly. The app's design prioritizes simplicity and ease of use, allowing users to focus on making progress rather than navigating complex settings. In addition to the features mentioned above, the app also has an export tool that allows users to download a CSV file of their stats if they want to analyze them further. This feature is particularly useful for those who want to track their progress over time or share their data with others. The app's flexibility and customization options make it a valuable tool for anyone looking to reduce their screen time. For those who are interested in exploring other phone-tracking apps, there are numerous options available that take a more gentle approach to encouraging responsible phone use. Some of these apps offer features such as rewards systems or gamification elements to motivate users to spend less time on their phones. The app's most significant feature is its ability to load a breathing exercise for users before allowing them access to their chosen applications. This exercise serves as a gentle reminder to take a break from phone usage and can be completed at any time during the day. Research has shown that incorporating short breaks into daily routines can have a significant impact on productivity and mental well-being. By providing this feature, the app aims to encourage users to adopt healthier habits and reduce their screen time. For those willing to invest in the premium version of the app, additional features become available. These include full app blocking, more advanced time tracking, and other tools designed to help users manage their phone usage effectively. In addition to its robust time tracking features, this app also includes conventional blocks and timers designed to help users manage their phone usage effectively. One noteworthy option is Roots, a comprehensive tool available exclusively on iOS that enables scheduling of phone-free periods, blocking of specific apps, and participation in phone detox challenges with friends or family. This app provides detailed breakdowns of time saved by avoiding certain applications. It's worth noting that basic blocks and limits are free, while more advanced customizations cost $10 per month. Another option to consider is Brick, which pairs a free mobile application with a physical device that costs $59. The small NFC transmitter works similarly to tap-to-pay technology, allowing users to block or unblock specific apps by simply pressing their phone against it. This straightforward approach has proven effective in helping individuals manage their phone usage. --- Source: [Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/oh-my-hours-ios-app/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/oh-my-hours-tracks-phone-usage-with-blocks-of-time/