This week we released several of our most highly requested features. I've been testing on this version for a few weeks and it has really been working for me.

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This update includes:

• Block Now: on-demand blocking blocking with a single tap
• New Profile: view your trends since joining Roots
• App Groups: save app selections to easily re-use

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A little background

Like many of us, I struggle to find the right balance with my phone — which is a big reason why I'm building Roots.

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If I'm honest, I think my phone addiction started in high school when I had a flip phone and learned how to text from my pocket so I could send messages in class. Ever since then, I have been hooked.

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This past Saturday, I opened Roots, selected "All Apps", turned on "Monk Mode" and tapped "Block for 24 hours". I felt a bit uneasy at first, but that was quickly replaced by a very free feeling. I honestly can't remember the last time I put my phone down for 24 hours, it has been at least 10 years. I've found myself craving that feeling ever since.

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My blocking setup in this version

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App groups

First I set up several App Groups to handle different use cases for me. I use these in various ways as I'll explain below.

• Distracting Apps:
  • Instagram, X, Reddit
• Work Apps
  • Slack, Gmail, RevenueCat (website), App Store Connect, Notion, Trello, Figma
• Distracting & Work Apps:
  • Combination of the two above
• All Apps:
  • Literally, all apps on my phone

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App Limits

• Distracting Apps
  • Daily limit using “Monk Mode”, so once I hit the limit I can't unblock these apps until tomorrow.
• Work Apps:
  • Daily limit using “Normal Mode”, so I can still get into these apps for 5 minutes at a time after I hit my limit. (forces me to be aware if I'm over-active on certain days without actually cutting me off completely)

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App Downtimes

• Peaceful Mornings (4am-9am, Daily):
  • Downtime using “Normal Mode” for my “Distracting & Works Apps”. (makes me think twice before opening email in the morning, but lets me in for 5 minutes at a time)

• Evening Wind Down (6pm-11:59pm, Sun-Thurs):
  • Sun - Thurs downtime using “Monk Mode” for my “Distracting & Works Apps”.

• Cheat Days:
  • As you build a streak by staying within your limits, you earn cheat days.
  • I have a few built up, so if I ever have an emergency, or really want to get into my phone when I'm being blocked, I'll cash one of these in so I can scroll guilt free, intentionally.

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Beyond blocking

• Beyond blocking, I find myself checking in on my progress every day or two at a daily level on the home tab, and from a trend level in the new profile.

• The home tab gives me a daily gut check on several things I'm mindful of:
  • Whether I'm under my overall daily target
  • How often I check my phone
  • Which apps are contributing to the most “digital dopamine”

• The new profile gives me a lot of motivation to stay under my “before Roots” screen time, and being able to see the total amount of time I have unlocked is awesome.

• Finally, I'm motivated to continue to build my streak. Pontus (our co-founder and head of design) has created some beautiful app icons that I want to unlock, and I've decided not to cheat the system. So, to get my favorite icon, I need to reach 150 days.

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I hope you enjoy the new updates, and I'd love to hear how things are going for you. Please reach out at any time if you have a success story to share, suggestions, or feedback.