BePresent

BePresent is an app designed to help users manage their screen time and improve focus. It allows you to block distracting applications, enabling concentration on important tasks. The app uses psychological techniques, such as earning streaks, points, and rewards, to motivate you to stay off your phone and maintain good habits, effectively turning engagement principles on their head to promote digital well-being.

Maintaining Focus with App Blocking

The primary utility of BePresent is its ability to create focused work or study sessions by restricting access to selected apps. Users can configure the app to block specific distracting applications, ensuring that when a focus session is active, these apps cannot interrupt their concentration. This direct intervention aims to reduce the temptation to switch to non-productive activities on your device.

Motivational Rewards System

To reinforce positive screen habits, BePresent incorporates a motivational system. As users successfully adhere to their focus sessions and avoid distracting apps, they can earn streaks, points, and other rewards. This gamified approach is intended to provide ongoing encouragement, helping users to consistently maintain their good habits and reduce overall phone usage.

Accessibility Service Integration

BePresent utilizes Android’s Accessibility Service to function effectively during active focus sessions. This service allows the app to detect when you attempt to open other applications. Specifically, it monitors changes in window state to identify which app is currently in the foreground. When a distracting app is launched during a focus session, BePresent uses this information to display a reminder screen, prompting you to return to your focused activity. It’s important to note that this process is handled locally on your device, and the service does not access screen content, text, keystrokes, or any personal data. No data collected via the Accessibility Service is stored, transmitted, or shared with third parties. Users have full control to enable or disable this permission at any time through their device’s Accessibility settings.