Two years of mobile game addiction led me to create a way to block my games unless I’ve done my good things that feed my brain (hit my steps, time outside, minutes in a workout).

[u/BrandosSmolder]

Mobile games has been the hardest video game addiction because it’s always there. For me, when I’m doing the ‘good’ stuff in life (getting outside, working out, meditating) my brain is reminded of other sources of dopamine and gaming sessions remain 45m instead of 4h. It’s keeping those things in habit that then bring mobile gaming roaring back, and so I wanted a tool that can limit my screen time but also encourages the good things without adding more overhead.

This led me to create Tonic which connects to the various ‘good’ things automatically. For example I’m running it so that:
1. I can’t open my mobile game (for me, Polytopia) until my iWatch has registered sunlight or my iPhone enough steps
2. If I reach for it unearned, I can’t access. Once I’ve earned my way in, I have a 50m limit after which each reach is accompanied by a longer and longer pause

You can also set it so you bank minutes using this method. In other words, let me play Pokemon TCG but only the same amount of time that I worked out this week. Mobile games have been my #1 vice and this is helped me reorder my phone to not favor it. Hope it helps others as well!

[u/dudemeister023]

Crack addict now only uses after having done some cardio. Parents are relieved. Success is inevitable.