Uncheat-able iOS Break Timer

[jesse_the_k]

When I’m using my computer devices (Mac, iPad, iPhone) I tend to sit in one spot too long.

For macOS, I use Dejal Software’s Time Out utility: every 48 minutes it blanks the screen and locks out the keyboard. Even if I reboot, it ensures I take that 12-minute break (that's just an example: you can define any break schedule you like). I want the same solution for my iPhone and iPad.

The App Store offers scores of Pomodoro timers, but they just send a notification. As far as I can tell, the system tools — Focus and ScreenTime — aren’t restrictive enough. I’m not a programmer, so advising me to "write a shortcut" won’t help. Does what I want exist? Or do you know someone who could create it?

Comments

[tarasacon]

I hear this! I want something similar.

[green_knight]

I'm not up to date on iOS coding and until I get my next computer (ETA Feb?) I wont be able to play. My understanding of iOS is that this will be impossible - apps are not allowed to take over your device (and keyboards are called by individual apps anyway, so cannot be locked). There are many circumstances in which the operating system will terminate an app or push it into the background, so 'enforced lockout' sounds like a non-starter.

The closest you can get is probably an app that turns the screen brightness all the way down and/or which displays a note telling you to take a break. That may or may not be doable with shortcuts; I haven't played with those, either. (I really should update my phone, too, shouldn't I?)

[adrian_turtle]

I've been very happy with WorkRave, but it's not what you want. It freezes the screen and tells me to take a break, but I can click "postpone break" and override it. (This is a really good idea if a doctor's office called to say "can you reschedule?" and I don't want to make them wait for me to get my online calendar.) But of course it also lets me just ignore breaks.

[seascribble]

Can this be app specific? I need something like this but after 10 minutes scrolling social, it tells me to take a break.