how I reduced my screentime by 80% (guide)

[@reysu]

if you've seen my previous video on this, this is an updated version with no subscription fees + some new features. hope you enjoy, thanks for watching

[@wilson2119]

👍

[@jennakroeger640]

Hi! Laptop hacks also for anti algorithm ??:)

[@Jurtz]

Can't you just easily bypass Screen Zen, or any blocking app if you go to settings -> screen time -> and turn of access to that app? Everything falls apart because of this loophole.

[@shayanshetty9556]

zen helps you focus on your task but this guy teaches us how to not be dependent on our phones completely​@@Jurtz

[@robllewellyn]

On my Phone

[@josiahdemaray6973]

Found this in a KZbin rabbit hole

[@reysu]

rabbit holes are good sometimes

[@FourthExile]

Given the ubiquity of apps I don’t believe it’s ironic anymore when you find content like this on an algorithmic platform.

[@ryanmunuve2757]

Me too!

[@Sam-bn7jk]

Yea all these digital detox influencers are just hypocrites

[@kidmaverick5211]

Careful with rabbit holes

[@et6729]

You are so right about app design. I have a smart phone from ~ 2013 that I opened recently. Snapchat was chat and friends list, thats it. No news, no stories, no scroll. Iphone apps especially are now 99% bloat with 2% functionality.

[@reysu]

any favorite apps that aren't 99% bloat?

[@et6729]

​@@reysu Anki hahaha. I think LingQ does a good job not bloating its app with anything that isnt language learning material. You open it up and theres your library, vocab trainer, and settings, thats all.

[@arc3944]

101% app?

[@et6729]

@@reysu Anki Lol. I'd say LingQ is good at what it does. The only pages are, reader, vocab review, and settings. I think Anki is perfect. Literally 0 nonsense, it does what it says it does. I'm glad I spent 25$ on it.

[@et6729]

@@reysu Big fan of Anki, haha.

[@parkers3301]

these break the content cycle videos are often hard to watch all the way through because they catch you in the middle of a doom scroll and will just try to shame or scare you out of it. thank you for the only practical and useful video

[@elijahfishburne1251]

You're a baller for making this video. I've tried and failed a bunch of different methods, and this by far offers the most flexibility and benefit.

[@reysu]

thank you!! hop you find it useful

[@whengrapespop5728]

What’s a “baller”?

[@fastrace8195]

@@whengrapespop5728 Something like "goat."

[@4Rekless]

I kid you not when I say it took me years to set up a system that you've just improved by a mile!! Thanks so much! So much value in one video!!

[@reysu]

glad it was helpful!!

[@TyUnfiltered]

Online addiction is definitely one of those area's that needs more attention. Loved the point about the current state of App design.

[@reysu]

thank you for watching!

[@67persanazh]

Thank you for this guide. After doing this for less than a week, I can sit for multiple hours at a time and not check my phone. I feel more present, focussed on learning and comfortable with not being constantly stimulated.

[@luisliz]

I haven't watched the video but already thumbs up for saying "For less than $10" it's insane that most of these videos imply spending $100 bucks a year to make it minimalist and then you either procrastinate or have to battle through either paying or doing.

[@callisto6292]

Imagine paying to make something minimalist lol just use the dumbphone

[@filmbuffoon]

@@callisto6292 You still have to buy the dumbphone though.

[@2486frosty]

i watched to 5:57, implemented everything, and tried it for two days and im already down like 37% screentime lol thank you so much I was going crazy.

[@reysu]

thats awesome!!

[@gregothy9190]

How's it going a month on?

[@tartarosnemesis6227]

​@@gregothy9190Hopefully he won't answer in a while 😅

[@asterohobit1298]

@@gregothy9190 you a legend for checking on a random stranger. mad respect brother

[@KOG-KingOfGreen]

He is now running a fortune 500 company

[@SebastianMorrisDr]

Honestly one of the most useful and informative KZbin video I have watch for a while. Thanks

[@reysu]

appreciate you saying that!

[@leonheiherbat1186]

mate you are one of the few people to actually impact me positively longtime through yt. thanks.

[@pauljohnson3317]

3:56 "It's really the dose that makes the posion." Great insight.

[@parkere.7202]

Wow Reysu, thank you so much for this. I had watched your previous video and ran into those subscription fees.. it started not to be useful to me. Now, you come back with an updated version and more features! That speaks to your dedication to this topic and your viewers. I appreciate content creators like you a lot, thank you Reysu.

[@reysu]

you got it!!

[@Hedshodd]

Funnily enough, the YT algorithm recommended this for me while on a binge during during lunch break. I think I will try this out on my android. Apart from just the content as such, this is a pretty well produced and informative video, without being over-edited (fitting the theme lol). Well done, subscribed.

[@reysu]

thank you!

[@deddend1697]

Thanks so much for highlighting these solutions. The KZbin extension is a huge help. I love the idea of keeping the functionality, but just reducing the addictive aspects of it! So many help guides just suggest something extreme like stopping using the phone completely while this I believe is much more achievable

[@mark122387]

Socialfocus and untrap don't show up on the Google Play store for me. How did you find it!?

[@mustafakaraaslan9757]

ok why do i have the feeling this is going to change a lot for my life ( in a very good way) thank you a lot. It was really easy to setup and so fast. I also added the extensions to my arcade browser so also on desktop im not getting distracted. Thank you a lot for this video man. i have a really good feeling about that.

[@reysu]

you got this bro!!

[@TabletopShelf]

Checking in 1 month later, how's it going?

[@mustafakaraaslan9757]

@@TabletopShelf now i am working in an internship and also are in the semesterbreak, but during the semester it helped me a lot. Right now i switched because I am not on my phone that much. Or. I am allowing it myself. But im sure im gonna use it again as soon as the smester starts

[@KrustalHersh]

I understand the aversion to paying but the expectation that every app is free or nearly is what got us into this algorithm problem in the first place.

[@jenHry-ng3pw]

The problem is even if you pay, they still want to maximize your time spent in the app and addiction to it, because there is higher chance you pay if you are addicted.

[@owenjenkinsofficial]

@@jenHry-ng3pwthat’s not what he’s saying. He is saying that all the best social media and games were made free because the general public prioritized free apps when phones first came out because they were more accessible or didn’t want to pay. These companies realized that if they made their apps free to make them appealing, and they could compensate that loss monetarily with data collection, and that incentivized creating addictive algorithms that allowed them to scrape far more than just basic data but all the way up to behavioral patterns per advertising ID and patterns and consistent interests that you engage with. And that ironically created a more consistent form of revenue because then they can turn around and use that data and patterns to help you sell products to the general people… for a small fee, eventually motivating the continual evolution of algorithms on social media especially.

[@stsam63]

if you are not paying for the product you are the product

[@davidbarrett4586]

@@stsam63 🤯

[@MrDannyFandango]

Tbh it’s refreshing to see one time payment apps returning, I’m so sick of being asked to subscribe to a low value service for £5 a month, it’s worth .50p a month usually

[@mexiem.mp4]

thanks for the tips - feels so refreshing to have no sound effects or music in a video

[@clararoethe8935]

did this a few days ago and i love it. thank you so much for putting the time in to share your system.

[@trandamihai]

0:52 "disable KZbin recommendations so as not to be distracted"... hehe, the irony..., I discovered your video with an interesting topic from the recommendations.

[@xandeath75]

Climax? I think a better word would be Irony lol

[@trandamihai]

@@xandeath75 haha thx.

[@xandeath75]

@@trandamihai np lol

[@albertjurkowski9038]

Thank you for helping fight the plague of smartphone addiction.

[@sekainotamago]

Thank you! This is exactly the approach I was looking for. The technology is not the problem, we simply need to make it work for us, not against us! I need social media for work and it was hard to come by a solution to minimise its use.

[@jonathanemig]

Probably the most helpful single video on reducing screen time

[@drtomrountree]

You have great insight and the comparison between the programs from a while ago and now is alarming. Thank you.

[@rainsmellgood]

currently watching this video on firefox, after following your instructions step by step. i've tried dumbifying my phone before but nothing ever came close to this set up. thank you so much. i'm optimistic about this - time to get my time and life back, and get off the addiction to scrolling. thank you again.

[@Quetzelkoa]

Really appreciate how thorough and dense the video is. Will try these ideas out!

[@Myrborg]

Thousand thanks for this guide! I just watched this again because I'm recommending this guide for a friend. Since changing to a "dumbphone" my work and personal life is way better. Big smile and best regards from Oslo, GK

[@guybrushskywalker]

Great work, Reysu. I believe you do a great service to this community. And the production quality is great as well. Respect.

[@aliq746]

first time in ages that I watch a whole long form video without speeding up. Nice work

[@reysu]

!! thats a great compliment haha, thanks for watching

[@thatdberad]

ten minutes is hardly long form

[@kitschking]

true

[@y0ggy]

@@thatdberad it is for tiktok kids apparently lmao

[@JeffStep93]

10 mins? Jeez lol

[@zh2256]

This is exactly what I was looking for... YAY. thank you for doing the digging for these apps and for showing how to do it on android too! you're the best

[@jacksparrow6476]

Thanks for all the insights. I have been addicted particularly to KZbin for 5 years now. I'm trying to end it. Once in a while I would stop watching yt ( max was for 1 week) but ultimately find my way back to endless binge watching videos that adds no value to my life. I will implement your mentioned changes.

[@reysu]

thank you for watching

[@halfsourlizard9319]

This is so great. Not necessarily the exact solution but being thoughtful about how to interact with tech.

[@sumerrawat6947]

Pay for iPhone to get more features , then pay again for the app to limit all these features

[@Lirree88]

😂

[@therealtrabo]

So glad I found this video... I am in the process of changing my habits and being more intentional about the ways I spend my time and this video is massively helpful.

[@wseanw]

Your videos found me at the perfect time, thank you so much for the updated version!

[@reysu]

glad it's helpful!!

[@BRZ79MD]

Mate, this is exactly what I looked for. Insane value in just 10 mins. Thanks!!

[@james-bensoncare4053]

With all these recommendations, I won’t be able to watch your next videos :( love your stuff man 💚

[@reysu]

hahah you can block the feed but browse from the subscription box

[@sillyolesapphic44]

i’m really grateful for this video

[@samloose7526]

That's actually brilliant. So practical for people of our generation.

[@reysu]

thanks for watching!

[@wagnerjonas]

Best video for that topic! You have developed a great system!

[@DayOneNotOneDay394]

Just in time for Summer, thanks for saving mine!!

[@reysu]

hope you have a great summer!!

[@jordantherubio]

I did the dumb phone and I love it so far. I was so addicted to social media and I just took them off my pages and that solved it. But my final addiction is watching so much youtube videos now. I average 3+ hours a day and 24hr a week. And that less than %30 from last week. So Im hopping this dumb phone and limitations apps help with this. Thanks again this dumb phone is a great idea.

[@fanoftoast]

I realized I’m in the same pattern. I’ve been almost completely off social media for 2 years now (haven’t deleted my accounts but I don’t use them unless someone sends me a link to something on one of them) but as a result I’ve switched to a more intense KZbin addiction. 😞 I wish there was a way to change your KZbin app and not just the browser KZbin.

[@BiG__Disgruntled]

Awesome video! I really appreciate this tutorial. Also you're incredibly well articulated and easy to listen to, love your calm and informative tone!

[@grantpaylor8885]

Thank you for sharing all these amazing resources! Just set all of them up on my phone and already having withdrawals - wish me luck!

[@DanRodriguez1]

Thanks man, I'm a youtube addict

[@jalengonel]

This is one of the best videos I've ever watched. Seems small but little decisions compound over time. Thank you

[@orindamn4475]

The KZbin algorithm found me this video at the right time. I guess I won't know if I get a reply from you. I have turned off the notification now. Cheers mate.

[@reysu]

hope you don't see this!! thanks for watching

[@AyaEgbuho]

I cannot say thank you ENOUGH! Thank you so much!!!!!! This is fantastic. I didn't even know this was possible! I really was so torn by YT. I have gained so much good stuff, but YT can also be a real time wasting issue for me. Thank you again! ❤

[@arec9581]

This is awesome and will definitely try this! I have used RSS feeds for personal media consumption recently, and its pretty analogous to the benefits listed here, except its mainly for PC. (rss feeds are an aggregator for all of ones internet feeds for things like youtube, twitter, news, blogs) What I've noticed is that when scrolling isn't the "fun" part of your screen time, its easier to assess whether the content or tool is valuable or not. Especially if you use social media without their original GUI or any GUI at all, it completely changes the experience of it.

[@reysu]

that's a good idea, what do you use to browse your rss feeds?

[@arec9581]

@@reysu newsboat for terminal text based, but I used to use feed bro which is through browser and shows pictures

[@arecreation2166]

@@reysu (alt acc lol) usually newsboat for text based terminal app, but if im on browser feedbro

[@sprengar]

not the original poster, but i've been using NetNewsWire for ios and it's been great

[@drodes]

@@reysu Sorry to butt in, but I use NetNewsWire and I find it's been a great RSS reader. Free on iOS, no in app purchases, subscriptions, algorithmic feeds or invasive data collection.

[@hussein-alemam]

Thanks bro, the extention that disable youtube suggestions is exactly what I needed

[@snaggiz]

I have to thank you in a big way! Just five minutes after getting that Untrap KZbin extension I felt such an great sense of relief. I can still engage with the content I like, use the website for all good that it has, but now those addictive shorts are just gone! It feels like the KZbin I've been wanting this whole time. I feel in control! Best couple dollars I ever spent!

[@richardbarr7173]

"thanks for watching, see you next time" *drops unreasonably hard trap beat*

[@clementinegrandjacques2103]

YEAH, what is this songgggg I want to listen to itttt

[@juststartingover2735]

Thank you…As im watching you i am deleting apps or moving them to secondary screens so I dont see them when i open phone. Definitely will turn off most notifications & unsubscribe from websites that fill my mailbox with junk. I needed this today!💖

[@yoswayd5520]

I got married and spent time with my wife

[@yipperdeyip]

Lucky you!

[@jolenepham]

its wild that we (as society, not what youre content is wrong, because you are right!) need a video on this, since most of the time its based on self reflection, and simply, just removing whats distracting you. IF youre committed to that, and sadly most arent

[@littleseal833]

I'm a little late here. But it's hilarious that you suggested deleting apps, so midway through the video I did that! Including the KZbin app I was watching your video on.. so I'm back, watching on the browser now haha

[@evanlinsey]

been getting the urge to go flip phone but this is is way more practical! just set things up exactly as you described and it's perfect, thank you so much

[@harukay2503]

This is a bloody good video. Straight to the point

[@wealthpotion]

“The dose makes the poison.” Really like this approach. While I’m not setting up my phone to this same degree, I think we could all benefit from uninstalling some apps and turning off some notifications. One more to add - unsubscribe from emails!

[@MateuszGawronOfficial]

You are doing a great job! It really helps with efficiency. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@reysu]

glad it was helpful

[@johnw4595]

Very grateful. Brilliant content. And I like your presentation style. Clear and direct. You have a strong character.

[@djcook]

Fire idea bro

[@reysu]

thanks!!

[@_ab.]

Wsg kodak

[@phuongson_4467]

In the past I used to spend an unhealthy amount of time on social media (mainly facebook), there were periods that I would average 4-5 hours just scrolling. Realized that I need to stop this so I've been doing the same for about 2 years now and I can guarantee that it worked. By doing that, I have more free time to do productive things, not to mention better mental health and positivity. btw, I'm also using immersion and your korekara podcasts help a lot.

[@reysu]

that's great to hear man and I'm glad you're using your time productively with immersing and learning a new language :)

[@Shampie]

Maybe I will do this to make my phone less interesting for my baby

[@XCHDragox115]

A workaround that’s been working for me is just having a packed day. I’m fortunate to live with the community and the people I work with. And as a teacher, I always start my day at 6 in the morning and end work at 5. Run after school clubs then get home too tired to even begin doomscrolling for hours. Even on holidays, I make sure I have packed days to maximize on time.

[@magnushealy22]

As a teen i find it frustrating to make the gap between the phone and reality when my friends use it (Snapchat) as a number one source of communication.

[@hemberry_]

this is incredible, thank you for this distilled advice that I needed on my journey to beat social media/phone addiction

[@caleb6595]

It’s crazy how the internet is literally ruined. Human greed knows no bounds.

[@Obedthian-UK]

Wait till you find out about medevil times

[@frogturtle]

Companies these days would rather build your life than build tools for you to use Love the video man. Thanks for sharing your setup, I think it can help a lot of people

[@lucien4888]

Incredible knowledge value. Thank you a lot !

[@reysu]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@callingrantham2553]

Bro, thank you. This is probably the biggest compulsion i have in my life and its eating at my time and focus.

[@jjmachan]

thanks a lot for sharing, this was super helpful

[@reysu]

glad it was helpful!!

[@oscarvelay]

Rey you might have saved my life, and my projects, bless you

[@autismunion]

buy fancy phone buy apps to make unfancy

[@charonermilw5589]

Thank you very much. For olauncher especially, it bring me a lot of joy. I really like minimalism

[@JD27770]

Great ideas

[@reysu]

thank you!

[@fearlv1rattata]

this is so needed thank you! I didn't even realize this was possible.

[@oleshko-g]

Found this video through algorithmic infinite scroll KZbin home screen on desktop.

[@reysu]

when I'm on desktop during my scheduled times I can see the feed. The reason is because I occasionally come across super valuable videos so I would never block KZbin completely

[@neolordie]

​@@reysui found that when I watch youtube on desktop I tend to do more things than when I watch it on my phone

[@FelipeZabala]

What a wonderful thing to share with the world! Good on you mate, I’m really going to try and implement most of these tips.

[@flowmas7107]

It has to be 4:20😂

[@danielbergert]

That is exactly what i'm looking for. THANKS Reysu.

[@qaster5491]

Is there something like socialfocus that can block certain features of instagram on the app itself? for ios if that matters

[@reysu]

it can't block the app but it can block it in the browser

[@lukeswette7436]

Another thing you can do that I think is really helpful is change the settings for the top search bar to only apps. This make everything way less cluttered

[@masonstanley1178]

can you explain how to do this please?

[@1_asp3ct_1]

On IOS, when you swipe all the way right, the app library shows up with all your apps. What do you do about that?

[@reysu]

unfortunately you can't remove the app library but a few things you can do: - turn off badges in the app library (makes it less busy) - use your phone in gray scale (makes it less busy) - block apps when not in use (it grays the icon) - add a few blank pages before the app library

[@AB-wm9vk]

You can turn off show in search and the specific apps won’t show up when you swipe to the right

[@evanaulick9]

Was original looking for ai apps to help minimize tasks to reduce time on my phone, but was overwhelmed by all the clickbait videos made for ai app suggestions. This video somehow got on my feed and I had a great feeling about, so I watched. Needless to say great video, glad I watched, keep doing your thing bro

[@chrisheartman9263]

I would NOT not bring my phone whenever I'm out and about. I'm an AFAB transmasculine person pre-everything and I just can't afford it. Although risk is not that high... the risk is still there, and by bringing my phone with me, I have a way to reach out. That phone, whenever I'm out, stays glued to me, no matter what.

[@and94y]

Hey Reysu, thank you for saving our time und focus! U r genius! Greetings from Germany

[@sakshamray9981]

Dont you think not adding music and sound effects can maybe help your viewers

[@chris.scott510]

Awesome video. Thanks for posting. I have been using a Light Phone II, which is awesome, but I have run into the issues you mentioned about concert tickets, required apps, etc.

[@menlo7256]

iPod Nano? This guy is definitely a Gen Z.

[@reysu]

loll I had the original ipod nano when it came out

[@mgf909]

I loved how pocketable they were

[@animator02]

Same. I still have mine from when I was a kid. Still use it to when I just wanna listen to music while on road trips. Or I bring my Walkman.

[@noah_boad]

Thanks to this video I was able to find ‘minimal phone launcher’ on the iOS store as a free replacement to dumbify. Feels great to take action towards battling my smartphone addiction

[@quentin8330]

I can’t find it

[@noah_boad]

@@quentin8330 that one didn't end up being free (1 week trial) so i did buy dumbify. i like it, but imo it should be like $1-2 instead of 4.99

[@andrescarcia1430]

my guy buys a 1200$ phone just to use it like a nokia

[@isaacrivera.colorado]

I have a really similar setup to my own phone. I’m glad that we came to similar conclusions but this is definitely a set up better thanks for sharing!

[@sisifosis]

Bro, thank you so much for this recommendation. I have searched for an app like that such a long time.

[@andresrosales3466]

I've been trying to figure out ways to do this for a while now. Great guide! Gonna do this!

[@Maya-uj6fm]

thank you for this tutorial, I am going to try it out for a week and see how I like it!

[@MickAlister]

Of the apps recommended, especially free ones, I would check their privacy policy. A developer probably isn't going to push out a free app unless their is some data gathering on the backend.

[@DAVEXXL]

Thanks a lot reysu, really needed this today

[@XTheSpartanX7]

I'm glad you reference atomic habits. I'm reading it right now and it is amazing.

[@reysu]

I'm glad you like it!