What it does
Blank Spaces is a minimalist launcher and digital wellbeing tool for iOS. It's designed to combat phone addiction and reduce unintentional screen time. The app replaces the standard colorful grid of app icons with a clean, text-based interface where users consciously choose which essential apps to display. It also includes features to lock distracting apps behind mindful friction.
Where it shines
Blank Spaces excels by making the abstract concept of 'lost time' painfully concrete. During onboarding, it presents a 'Life in Weeks' grid (00:34) that fills with red to show the years a user is projected to lose to their phone. This moment is powerful and immediately establishes the app's value. The app also shines in its creative approach to app blocking. Instead of a simple timer, it introduces 'unlock methods' like completing a breathing exercise (06:49) or doing push-ups (07:35), turning a moment of distraction into a productive pause.
UX highlights
- Text-based widgets: The core of the app is its minimalist home screen widgets (02:24), which list apps by name only, removing the visual triggers of colorful icons.
- Gamified Disengagement: The app rewards users with streaks and badges for not using their phone, cleverly flipping the typical engagement model (08:14).
- High Customization: Users have deep control over the look and feel, from fonts and colors to text alignment and widget spacing (05:22), allowing for a truly personal setup.
- Auto-Launch Plugin: A clever shortcut and automation setup (02:47) allows users to launch apps directly from the minimalist widget without the jarring jump to the Shortcuts app, making the experience smoother.
- Intentional Friction: The various unlock methods add a layer of mindful friction, forcing users to pause and consider if they really need to open a distracting app.
- Multi-Widget 'Spaces': Users can create multiple widget pages (04:00), effectively creating different 'spaces' for different contexts, like work or personal time.
Monetization & growth
The app presents a paywall early in the onboarding (01:03), right after its powerful 'Life in Weeks' visualization. It uses a standard three-plan structure: Weekly, Yearly ('Hottest'), and a Lifetime option. There is no free trial offered, suggesting a strategy focused on converting users who are immediately convinced by the strong value proposition. The app also features a referral program where inviting friends unlocks rewards like a free month or a discount on the lifetime subscription (09:01).
Who it’s for
This app is clearly for individuals who feel their relationship with their phone has become unhealthy or unproductive. It targets users who are actively seeking to reduce digital distractions, combat mindless scrolling, and be more intentional with their time. The deep customization and slightly technical setup also appeal to users who enjoy fine-tuning their digital environment for optimal focus and productivity.
Notes & opportunities
While the setup process is guided, it is quite long and involves multiple steps outside the app, such as setting wallpapers and adding widgets (01:29). This could be a point of drop-off for less motivated users. The app lock feature is powerful, but its settings are nested a few layers deep, which might make it less discoverable. Simplifying the path to setting up app locks could increase the adoption of this key feature.