For this use case, I use "IChooseTo" https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appsofuse....

This looks like it's based on a timer, and prevents you from using the app if you use it for, say, too long. Is that right? I have legitimate longform uses of my browser app as well as bad ones.

I use iOS's built in Screen Time settings. For "bad" apps (Reddit, TikTok, etc) and "bad" websites ("hackernews", etc) I set a daily time limit of, let's say, 15 minutes.

I configure a random password for Screen Time so that it's a real hassle to circumvent the daily limit when I get over it.

this is 100% what I want, and I'd gladly pay $10/month for this

What I did (helped me eventually delete them) was offload the "bad" apps on my phone so, if I wanted to access them, I'd have to wait for them to re-download. This is an iOS feature where the pointer to the app and the local data remains, but the app bundle itself is deleted. I think it's primary use case is to manage scarce disk space.

It forced me to reckon with the fact that tapping on these apps is often a system 1 instinct. The forced delay to reinstall the app is an escape hatch into system 2 thinking, a mode in which I normally realize I don't even want to use the app, I'm just bored. And then I'd pick up a book or use my newspaper-reader-app (i.e. a more intent/system 2-driven choice).

Off-loading apps or even just removing them from the home screen is really helpful. It gives your system 2 brain an opportunity to mutate your environment to make system 1 processes lead to more fruitful outcomes.

For the same reason, I clear my browser history every month or so and avoid bookmarking certain sites like hn or reddit.

I would love to remove the email app for iPhone for that reason but it’s a standard app for iPhone

Maybe I should just delete my accounts and access them through browser instead

Do apps have permission to interfere with other apps on Android?