What it does
one sec is a digital wellbeing app designed to combat mindless scrolling and reduce excessive screen time. Instead of simply blocking apps, it introduces a brief, configurable delay or intervention—like a one-second breathing exercise—before a target app opens. This micro-friction is designed to break the habit loop, forcing the user to make a conscious choice about whether they really want to open the app. The app is heavily customizable and built on principles from behavioral psychology.
Where it shines
The app's brilliance lies in its nuanced and flexible approach to habit formation. The onboarding is a great example, using a quick psychological quiz (00:30) to recommend a personalized "Intervention Mode" (00:42), making the setup feel scientific and tailored. Another strong moment is the configuration of a "Delayed" intervention at 03:15, which allows a user one minute of app usage before the intervention kicks in. This acknowledges that not all usage is problematic and avoids being overly restrictive. Finally, the deep customization options, like setting up "Healthy Alternatives" (07:35), show that the app is focused on building positive habits, not just blocking negative ones.
UX highlights
- Personalized Onboarding: The initial quiz directly informs a recommended setup, making the user feel understood from the start.
- Animated Previews: When choosing an intervention type (01:45), the app displays a simple animated diagram that updates to show exactly how each option works.
- Delightful Reinforcement: A smiling flower character animates to welcome the user after subscribing (01:34), providing a moment of positive feedback.
- Integrated Tutorials: Setup for complex features like Shortcuts (02:26) and Safari extensions (03:03) includes clear, step-by-step visual guides.
- System-Level Power: The app provides robust features for power users, such as locking the Shortcuts app (09:20) to prevent easy circumvention of its own rules.
- Clear State Indication: On the main dashboard, apps with delayed interventions are clearly marked with a "Delayed" tag (03:46), so the user understands the current configuration at a glance.
Monetization & growth
Monetization is introduced early via a soft paywall after the personalization quiz (00:45). The paywall is very comprehensive, featuring a clear Free vs. Pro comparison table, two distinct plans (Individual and Family), and a large amount of social proof, including testimonials and an "App Store App of the Day" badge. The offer is a 1-week free trial that converts to a yearly subscription. The app also encourages growth organically by prompting users to share with a friend from the 'About' section (09:34).
Who it’s for
one sec is for anyone who feels they've lost control of their screen time and wants to build more intentional digital habits. It's particularly well-suited for users who are interested in the psychology of habits and appreciate a tool that is powerful and customizable. It's less for people looking for a simple, hard blocker and more for those who want to retrain their brain's response to app-opening triggers. The extensive settings suggest a target audience that is willing to invest time to create a highly personalized system.
Notes & opportunities
The setup process, particularly for the Shortcuts automation (02:26), is complex and requires switching between one sec and the Shortcuts app. While the video tutorial helps, this multi-app configuration is a significant point of friction that could cause some users to drop off. On some devices, connecting to the Screen Time API can also fail (as shown at 02:08), which is a system-level issue but still impacts the user experience. Simplifying this core setup, perhaps with better deep-linking or clearer error handling, could improve activation rates.