Friction - Scroll Blocker, from narveer.dev, helps users interrupt habitual scrolling to support digital wellbeing. The app detects scroll events in selected Android apps using the AccessibilityService API and inserts mindful pauses or brief breathing prompts after configurable thresholds. It processes all data locally, offers customizable app selection and thresholds, and runs with minimal system impact. Students, professionals, and anyone fighting doomscrolling can use it to make scrolling more intentional and reclaim attention.

How the app turns scrolling into deliberate moments

Friction detects real-time scroll activity and triggers short interruptions instead of enforcing full locks, a behaviour-centered method that targets the action of scrolling. The app watches scroll events in chosen apps via Android's AccessibilityService API and prompts a pause or breathing exercise when a user exceeds their configured threshold, converting automatic feed consumption into a conscious decision to continue or exit.

What setup and compatibility the app requires on Android

To monitor scrolling, the app requires activation of Accessibility Services on the device, a necessary permission for observing UI interactions in other apps. Users must select which social or news apps to monitor, and the app runs in the background on Android. The setup is straightforward but depends on granting that system-level access for detection to work.

Whether it fits into everyday routines without slowing your device

Daily use is practical because the design prioritizes a light background footprint, with the developer noting minimal performance impact. Configurable thresholds let users tune how often interruptions appear, so prompts can match short breaks or longer focused sessions. This flexibility helps the app adapt to varied daily patterns, from study blocks to quick social checks.

How it treats privacy and habit change in practice

All processing occurs on the device and the developer states there is no data collection or external transmission, which keeps scrolling events local to the phone. The app emphasises gradual habit change through gentle interruptions rather than strict lockouts, a strategy intended to cultivate awareness over time rather than force immediate abstinence.

A measured choice for users seeking gentle habit change

Friction is a practical option for people who want to shift automatic browsing into intentional pauses, using behaviour-focused prompts to build awareness. Users preferring strict app lockdowns may find the approach too permissive, since it emphasises mindful interruption rather than forceful restriction. For anyone aiming to reduce passive social media time through consistent, low-friction practice, this app fits naturally into daily routines.