Feature Request: Recurring Break Mode with Shared Usage Across App Groups

[mm4mch2gzh-code]

Feature request

It would be great to have a Recurring Break / Healthy Break Mode for App Groups.

Desired behavior

Allow users to configure:

• Usage session: e.g. 30 minutes
• Break duration: e.g. 10 minutes
• App Group: multiple selected apps that share the same usage timer

The usage time should be cumulative across all apps in the group, rather than calculated separately for each app.

For example:

Game A: 15 min + YouTube: 10 min + Game B: 5 min = 30 min total

Once the combined usage reaches 30 minutes:

1. Block all apps in the group.
2. Keep them blocked for 10 minutes.
3. Automatically unblock the group when the break ends.
4. Reset the shared usage counter.
5. Start another 30-minute usage session.
6. Repeat this cycle automatically.

So the cycle would be:

30 min combined usage → 10 min mandatory break → 30 min combined usage → 10 min break → repeat

Why shared usage is important

The timer should belong to the App Group, not to each individual app.

Otherwise, a child can simply switch from one game to another when the first app reaches its limit and avoid taking the required break.

The goal is to encourage regular eye and physical rest regardless of which selected app is being used.

Example use case

A parent selects:

• YouTube
• Roblox
• Minecraft
• Other games

The child can freely switch between these apps, but after 30 minutes of total combined use, all selected apps become unavailable for 10 minutes.

After the 10-minute break, they automatically become available again and a new 30-minute session begins.

It would be especially useful if both the usage duration and break duration were configurable.

Thanks for considering this feature!

[ykisana]

@mm4mch2gzh-code Thanks for the feature request!
Unfortunately this is something I won't include directly. I'd like Normal to have no method of unblocking via phone. Unblocking via a physical barrier only. Timed use apps exists, I don't think they are effective. This makes Normal a valid 'dumb iPhone'

With that said, I am actually working on a Max daily limit/Hard timed limit, so part of you request will be available.
You set limits for certain apps but still need to physically unblock with NFC/Location.

For example let's say you have a 30min limit on Youtube. By default it's blocked by Normal, you unblock for 15min. Then another 15min. Let's say each unblock you only used combined 20min. Then on third unblock, let's say you're on Youtube for 10 more min, on the 30th minut of daily Youtube use, you'll hit the max and it won't be unblockable via Normal until the timer resets (end of day).