What Ebb does
Ebb has one job: put a short pause between you and a feed app. The gate runs through iOS Shortcuts, the focus game gives the pause something to do, and the rest of the app keeps score. Everything is stored on your iPhone, and the free version already includes one working gate.
Coming soon to iPhone
Which parts make up Ebb?
The pause: the gate opens before a feed app, and pass costs decide how long the round lasts. The game: the focus game is what you play, and your span score is the number to beat.
The alternative: Instead suggests a two-minute thing to do. The numbers: the Scroll Receipt turns the Screen Time figure you enter into hours per year. The sharing: duels and score cards send a 9:16 image with a code.
What is free and what is Pro?
The gate itself is free, because it is the part you will judge the app on. Free covers one gated app, 15-second rounds, 5 minutes after a pass, one focus session a day, 7 days of history, the daily game, duels and the Scroll Receipt. Pro adds up to 12 apps, passes that cost 15, 30 and 60 seconds, Morning and Night rules, unlimited focus sessions, the weekly receipt with a trend, full history and the full Instead library.
Prices are set in App Store Connect and shown in the app before you buy, so this site lists none.
What does Ebb not do?
It cannot lock an app, close an app after your minutes end, stop you from deleting the automation or measure your real screen time. It does not run inside an app, so it cannot interrupt short videos in an app you already opened. It sends one local notification when the minutes you chose are up. The help section in the app states these limits in plain words, and this site repeats them.
Ebb DuelsScore cards with a duel code. Same seed, same grids, a reply card comes back.
Ebb InsteadTwo-minute alternatives in six categories. 40 ideas, 6 in the free version, plus your own.
Ebb Pass CostsRounds of 15, 30 and 60 seconds, a daily pass limit and optional Morning and Night rules.
The Ebb Focus GameSearch, Hold and Switch rounds, a span score in seconds and a daily game.The Ebb GateA Shortcuts automation opens Ebb first. Pass the round, then pick 5, 10 or 15 minutes.The Ebb Scroll ReceiptYour daily hours turned into days per year. Self-reported, labeled, never measured.Frequently asked questions
Is the gate free?
Yes. One gated app with 15-second rounds is free. Pro raises the limit to 12 apps and adds escalating passes.
Does Ebb work offline?
Yes. Everything except loading prices on the paywall works without a connection, because the game and the data live on the phone.
Which iPhones does Ebb need?
It targets iOS 17 or later on iPhone. There is no iPad layout.
Keep exploring
The Ebb Focus GameSearch, Hold and Switch rounds, a span score in seconds and a daily game.Ebb Pass CostsRounds of 15, 30 and 60 seconds, a daily pass limit and optional Morning and Night rules.Ebb InsteadTwo-minute alternatives in six categories. 40 ideas, 6 in the free version, plus your own.The Ebb Scroll ReceiptYour daily hours turned into days per year. Self-reported, labeled, never measured.Ebb DuelsScore cards with a duel code. Same seed, same grids, a reply card comes back.