UnrespiroDigital wellbeing · iOS app2025 – hoy

App blocking that works: a native engine on Screen Time to put the phone down

For Quebue Labs we build Unrespiro: app blocks, weekly routines and «respiros», mindful pauses before you open an app that steals your time.

What we did: iOS & Android app · Native engine · iOS extensions
Timeline: Ongoing
Stack: Expo · React Native · Swift · Nitro Modules · Screen Time API · Kotlin
Client: Unrespiro

The idea

Unrespiro doesn't ban your phone: it adds a pause. When you open a blocked app a shield appears with a guided breath and the option to go in for a few minutes. With routines by day and time, and manual blocks when you need focus.

Why it's hard

Apple only allows app blocking through its Screen Time APIs, which run in tightly limited system extensions separate from the app. We redesigned the engine from scratch (v2) with every decision documented, one source of truth in Swift with the same logic mirrored in TypeScript, and brought it to Android too.

Technology

What Unrespiro is built with

ExpoBuilds, OTA updates and store releases.
React NativeOne codebase for the iOS and Android app.
SwiftNative iOS modules where React Native can't reach.
Nitro ModulesHigh-performance native bridge between JavaScript and Swift/Kotlin.
Screen Time APIApple's API to really block apps at system level.
KotlinThe native Android side of those same modules.

More work

See all work →

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