Case study · Digital wellbeing

Rethought

A privacy-first iOS wellbeing app that turns opening distracting apps into a short mindful intervention.

iOSScreen TimeWellbeingSubscriptions
Rethought portfolio banner
3intervention steps
Screen Timepermission flow
3subscription plans
Privacyonboarding
Overview

Productivity / Mental fitness

Rethought intervenes at the moment a user opens a distracting app. Instead of hard-blocking, it asks short reframing questions and helps users pause, reflect, and continue with intention.

Challenge

Challenge

  • Strict blockers can create guilt, so the product had to preserve user agency.
  • Screen Time permissions needed careful explanation before asking for access.
  • Reflection prompts had to stay customizable, short, and useful over repeated use.
Solution

Solution

  • Privacy-forward onboarding around Apple Screen Time, notifications, and app selection.
  • A notification-triggered intervention flow with reframing questions, typed answers, and a mindful choice point.
  • Custom questions, templates, reminder timing, entry history, manifesto content, and subscription plans.
Key features

Key features

  • Screen Time permission onboarding
  • Distracting app selection
  • Guided intervention prompts
  • Custom question templates
  • Entry history
  • Subscription surfaces
Stack

Stack

Native iOS conceptApple Screen Time flowNotification triggersReflection historySubscription plans
Outcomes

Outcomes

013-step intervention

Open a distracting app, answer a short prompt, then continue or pause with more intention.

02Screen Time permission flow

The onboarding explains access before the system request, reducing confusion around sensitive permissions.

033 subscription plans

Annual, monthly, and lifetime plans were built into the monetization surface.

Screens

Screens

Home state
01

Home state

Active app-blocking preview and Screen Time surface.

Intervention
02

Intervention

A short question-led pause before distraction.

Timer
03

Timer

Reminder timing and intervention duration controls.

A privacy-first iOS wellbeing app that turns opening distracting apps into a short mindful intervention.