ClearSpace: Reduce Screen Time Reviews

by Cayhamzz

I was looking up productivity apps for ADHD-ers to help with my screen time, but this is the most convoluted and difficult app, definitely not ADHD friendly despite what it says in ClearSpace description. (Also, kind of messed up to try to profit off neurodivergence because I’m going to take a wild guess at and say that this app hasn’t invested in the research) It’s really disorienting to use once you set up a restriction, you get boomeranged from ClearSpace you’re trying to restrict to the clear space app and I literally can’t get back into ClearSpace that I put the restriction even if I haven’t met my visit limit. There’s no explanation of what is happening, no clues or indicators as to what you can do other than restrict an app (did anybody who knows UX work on ClearSpace??). I figure the lack of capitalization is to make ClearSpace look cool because it definitely lacks any substance, but no capitalization is also not neurodivergent friendly (it makes it really hard to read, there’s a reason capitalization exists). I guess it kind of works because it will make you hate using your phone??? Just a really, really bad productivity app. I don’t know why this was invested in.

by Tedmiston

The this app apps is EXTREMELY slow and laggy to the point of being unusable. Having to wait 3–5 seconds for ClearSpace to respond after every single tap is just crazy.

Maybe it's not a true native app and they're using some web intermediate layer to power this. It definitely feels like the mobile equivalent of an Electron app…

The basic feature of blocking an app works fine, but I don't see what ClearSpace does differently than One Sec.

I also tried the this app Chrome Extension, and it just… doesn't really work at all? With all of the blocker toggles on, I was able to visit all of the sites that were supposed to be blocked. Half of them showed a cover on the homepage, but navigating to any other page circumvented the block completely.

It's like they pushed these apps out without even testing them. With the bugs and performance issues, it's current pre-alpha or alpha stage software at best.

I'm deleting ClearSpace and probably won't give it another try since it doesn't seem to do anything different or better than its cheaper competitors.

by DujgfarhddgjcSgkyd

I think that ClearSpace is not for me, and it may not be for most people either. To start, I would like to comment on the incorrect punctuation and capitalization. That’s a big error for me, especially when ClearSpace didn’t capitalize my name. Secondly, anyone is better off just downloading any other app like this one. There seems to be a lack of creativity in the success plan, meaning the creators of ClearSpace didn’t really get down to a science or think outside of the box on how they wanted to help aid the user’s screen time situation. Lastly, as most other apps do these days as I’m finding, without the membership that costs money, ClearSpace is sort of pointless. The user can only control their screen time on one app, which is not ideal because most people don’t just have one app or one social media platform that they go on too much. Overall, I wouldn’t give ClearSpace a fair rating. I mostly think that the creators of ClearSpace didn’t put a lot of effort into it, and it’s showing through. You’re better off just choosing a different app.

by Energetic Necromancer

I found ClearSpace on instagram where it was advertising its pushup for screentime feature. I was interested in that so I tried it out and I was disappointed with the result. ClearSpace uses a clucky looking kinematic tracker to track your limbs as you pushup. What I was put off was 1.) with my iPad it was really difficult to get the camera to point the right way when I was setting it up. It either made me look upside down or sideways, never right side up. After turning on autolock the problem persisted after some time but eventually was oriented correctly. 2.) You have to be in a certain distance away from your phone to do it. Im tall and have long limbs so I had to get really far away from my phone for ClearSpace to properly track my pushups. If I get any closer, my elbows will be out of frame and Ill get no credit for the push up. My apartment isnt the largest so to perform these pushups Id either have to move to certain rooms to do it.

Maybe inconvenience will help reduce screentime but if I have to pay for ClearSpace to get its full benefits, Im looking for the accountability and physical activity tracking, and there is another app I’ve found that performs that better.

by AlexG2261

So, the truth is this. I haven’t bought ClearSpace yet because I realize two flaws that I know would be my downfall. I absolutely love the strict mode and I know that’s what I’d be in this for. This would be a great way of blocking apps & not having access. But because I know that I can just bypass this with simply deleting this app and redownloading it or the fact that I can’t block this app itself leaves me concerned. My addiction isn’t controlled very easily. And when it comes to the second option that is not being able to block this app from this app, I can’t ensure that I won’t be able to make changes. I tested this with the free version when it gave me the option to switch app while in strict mode (this may not possibly be an issue if I buy it). So these are just my concerns for any others in an honest review. Otherwise ClearSpace looks very promising & I’d recommend it.

by OutsideInsideUpsidedown

I love ClearSpace concept. It has excellent features, a great interface, and taking a pause before opening apps has made me much more mindful and has reduced my use of addictive apps by a lot.

My one main issue is that multiple times a day since I’ve started to use ClearSpace , instead of the usual deep breath ClearSpace asks me for something app-related, like feedback or a review. I find this extremely annoying. Instead of a mindful moment, it’s just making me interact with another (this) app. I hate this so much and it is the single reason I cancelled my subscription. I hope the developers will stop replacing the mindful moments and ask for their feedback or reviews or whatever in another way.

by NTG321

Doesn’t work for websites. Even though there’s an option to associate websites with an app, you can just say “allow this site”, and it won’t remind you to get off after a time or count your usage. Also, websites shouldn’t need an app on the phone to be blocked. Having ClearSpace on my phone encourages more use. Disabling notifications for ClearSpace is unacceptable IMO, especially without making it super clear when setting up ClearSpace . Other features I’d like to see: “Downtime” settings. For example, make restrictions tighter before bed or when waking up. Create your own exercise. Limit on total phone pickups per day

by Wild26

ClearSpace has been incredibly helpful in limiting the time I spend on my phone. The streak tracker is useful in making you want to keep it up as well as how it can inform a friend if you break your limit. The only problem I’m having so far is that if I reduce the amount of times I can open an app, it breaks my streak. For example, I was finding I didn’t need to open Instagram 3 times a day because 2 was enough. When I reduced it, ClearSpace said I broke my streak because yesterday I opened it 3 times. But my limit was different for yesterday so it shouldn’t affect the streak. This would be a great change to include because I think the point of ClearSpace is that it slowly reduced how much you want to be on your phone anyways and that’s what I felt it was doing for me but I’m not rewarded in doing so.

by Harl_Z

i’ve never written an app review before, because i’ve never really liked an app enough to go and review it. but this one really helped me, literally the first day I got it i only clicked on tiktok TWICE. twice! after usually clicking on it at least 30 times! it’s an amazing difference, and one of the best screen blocking apps i have ever found. one issue i have though, is the free version. i feel like they should allow two apps instead of just one for free, because a lot of people have trouble with multiple media platforms. I understand that ClearSpace needs to make money, but I think a lot of people would still pay for it even if the free version had two. right now, i have tiktok blocked, but i still find myself clicking on other apps to make up for it.

by Restlessbee35

ClearSpace has a super simple concept but it has made all the difference in the world. It was super annoying at first to be blocked even when I tried to ignore it, but now my first inclination isn’t to go on social media as soon as I open my phone. It’s also a way more affordable option than other apps.

The only reason this is a four star rating is because of a couple glitches ClearSpace has. I had some while setting up apps I wanted blocked, and now there’s a pop up menu just at the bottom of the screen covering the home and menu buttons. I know this is a relatively new app so bugs are to be expected!

Otherwise, ClearSpace is great. Highly recommend

by Ash123🧐

ironically i saw ClearSpace on tiktok and wanted to stop scrolling mindlessly so I downloaded it. you can create time limits, goals, and the amount of time you’re allowed to use an app on here. at least for me it helped because when i go on instagram for example i’d have to go through a breathing screen and i’m too impatient to wait so i don’t go on ClearSpace . I made a goal on here to only go on instagram 5 times max a day for 5-30 min each and u get a streak for how ever long u made the goal. this keeps me from using it more than 5 times a day. My only complaint however is that you’re only able to do all this for one app. You could pay to do it for more apps.

by Nicole Saleh

I love this. It’s helped me almost stop using social media entirely after I’d tried and failed to self-regulate. I’ve been on FB once in the last month just to check FB marketplace for 20 minutes. I was spending 6+ hours a day on social media apps before.

I did want to say the free version allows one app to be connected. I connected an app, Reddit, then deleted Reddit and connected FB to it instead (replacing the Reddit connection). When I re-downloaded Reddit it won’t let me open the Reddit app at all. It won’t show me the loading page it normally does when opening a connected app. I’ve tried replacing FB with Reddit and it still just opens the this app home page without showing the loading screen and won’t let me connect to Reddit.

by Annakatet

Definitely does what it says on the tin of stopping you from going to apps you’ve chosen, which is good. But I was under the impression it would show you your stats somewhere, and all I ever see is my daily count of “you have tried to open [app] this many times today,” nothing longterm. Additionally, it’s only free for one app.

For not picky things, there is what looks like a pop up hiding at the bottom of the screen that I can’t see or close, so that’s weird and frustrating. Also, I wish there was a way it could know I had just been in an app three seconds ago, because sometimes I accidentally leave an app momentarily and come right back, but it counts it as a new attempt to use ClearSpace .

by Faith.W<3

I reallyyy love ClearSpace and it’s definitely helped with my screen time. However, at the end of the sessions, it gives you a 1 minute warning BUT ITS NEVER ONE MINUTE it’s like 10 seconds at best. Like it will close out of ClearSpace while the notification is still on the screen. In theory, the one minute is a good reminder to stop and start closing out but it just leaves me curious to see what the end of my video is and makes me want to use more time just to see the end and I get sucked back in. It’s very frustrating but otherwise ClearSpace has really helped and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who needs help with screen time, I feel like the set sessions rlly help.

by Cazikk

I think ClearSpace is a great app. Over the last week after downloading, it has really helped me. I think it is an effective way to help stop being social media all the time. I would suggest for them to add a setting to stop all of your selected apps for certain hours of the day. My only complaint is that I wish they would allow you to go off a monthly subscription option. After my free trial ended, I would have liked to be able to have premium for another month. With school starting up soon, I will be busy, so I don’t see myself needing ClearSpace as much after that. I don’t want to pay $60 if I won’t use it’s premium features for that long. Overall good and effective app. Just wish it would have a monthly subscription option.

by Bikemart

I had a habit of impulsively checking the news and sports scores on Safari. I don’t actually care that much about sports and don’t need to check the news multiple times a day. I put ClearSpace on safari and have been shocked about how much time I’ve already saved. The free version does exactly what I needed for to break my safari addiction with no ads, but I bought a monthly membership to support the developer.

The actual setup of the blocking process took me some time to figure out so be patient with that step.

If you actually want to change your relationship with an app on your phone, this is ClearSpace for you.

by Jdealencar

Download it on a whim, after some friends were talking about it — thinking it couldn’t hurt and knowing I needed to stop losing so much time on social. I already had notifications off and time limitations, but I still found myself in the bad habit of tapping IG or TikTok every time I unlocked my phone. I think the mix between the mindfulness detour and the 3 uses a day counter, is what changed the game! The step challenge, where you need to move to earn minutes, aka zero chance of getting caught up scrolling before the day has barely started, annoying at first, but ended up being a fun challenge. 10/10 would recommend to a friend!

by I Had To Make Up A Name

I’ve tried dozens of apps for mitigating app usage and it’s the first one that has worked for me. Previous apps took two taps to get into ClearSpace and quickly became an automatic habit instead of stopping me. The way this app slows you down and shows you how many times you’ve used ClearSpace vs your goal usage really puts into perspective “do I need to use this” when I can see what I told myself what I wanted to do. this has really cut down on using social media while standing in a line or going to the bathroom. I choose to use it instead of compulsively.

(Also it’s kinda nice opening an app to more notifications than usual since I’ve been gone from it longer.)

by Racheljanes

I’ve tried countless screen time blocker apps, and this one works flawlessly. Instagram is my only doom scrolling app, so I’m able to use the free version. Being able to set not only how many app opens a day you want to give yourself, but when you do open, you set the time limit for each use, is perfect. this really motivates you to be mindful with why and how you use social media.

last week before downloading ClearSpace i was on instagram for 1.5-2 hours a day getting lost in reels and feeling depressed and anxious. Now, only 5-10 minutes spread across 3 intervals throughout the day. Using that time intentionally to check up on my favorite artists/musicians, or responding to DMs from close friends.

Thank you to the devs for this amazing app — i’m so grateful!

by Puddlejumper #1

I am enjoying ClearSpace, because when I open another app that I’ve put a limit on it immediately reminds me that I don’t have much reason for opening that app. You could pretty easily ignore it and just continue using whatever app, but if you really do want to use your phone less this helps just remind you why you downloaded this app. Much like living a healthy lifestyle you have to constantly make adjustments and put in the work to be healthy, or to use your phone less. Before my phone would be dying by about 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Now I can go about 3 days without charging it! And my usage has gone down from using it 4-5 hours a day to about 50 minutes a day. I’m very pleased and I feel happier.

by Masteryime2

I think ClearSpace is top notch! A lot of thought and hard work has gone into this by the guys that created this! They have been super responsive when I had questions in the beginning! It has made a huge dent in my social media usage. I haven’t come up with anything really that needs changing app wise and have had a great experience using it. I have been recommending it to friends. The only thing I would love to see is a way to family share it through Apple for possibly a few more dollars a month. It gets expensive having to pay 6.99 per person. Or maybe a reduced monthly price per person depending on how many people are in your family that want to use it. But overall - Great job guys!!! :-)

by Doc Student P

I have AuDHD I struggle with social media addiction. Especially when I’m under stimulated or anxious about a task. I heard about ClearSpace from AyannaStood on TikTok and I thought it would be any different from the screen time apps I already have but I was wrong.

ClearSpace helps me be more mindful about how I use my restricted apps. You are allowed three opens so I think twice about opening ClearSpace mindlessly only to find myself doom scrolling hours later.

My goal is to be more present and now I see how much control I have over my time when I’m present outside of my phone. I hope to share with my followers soon.

by Jdub0729

So much of our time can be wasted by endless scrolling, on things that don’t matter and don’t make our lives better. If you want to take more control over your time and life, then get ClearSpace! It allows you to be accountable with the time you spend on your device. It also has cool challenges, like making yourself do squats, push ups or steps to earn time on your device. The only thing I would change is being able to have all three as a choice, instead of just one. That way you could combine 20 push ups and 20 squats for time. Other than that I would say that ClearSpace is perfect.

by Conspiracy And Chill

Im writing this review because after 3 months I feel like I truly understand the importance of an app like this when trying to destimulate your mind. Having a certain amount to be on Instagram for example was a game changer. It really showed me just how important it is to limit because time will really fly when you mindlessly scroll!

After awhile I felt that 10 minutes was too long on ClearSpace and I would quit before the timer ran out. I honestly feel cured and it’s amazing how intuitive it is. The breathing exercise and quotes are really nice touches and it just works amazingly. I feel connected with my mind and I feel I’m ready to control myself on app usages from now on. But I wanted to say THANK YOU

by AlieX D

I was really feeling bad the past few weeks (distracted, brain fog, irritable). I knew that part of the issue was I was jumping onto my social media apps every few minutes and spending 5-30mins scrolling.

I tried limiting my screen time but I didn’t have the self control to not hit that “15 more minutes” button.

ClearSpace really got me to break my habit. The first day I tried to open a social media app 20 times after 2 hours of being at work. So now instead of thinking “oh, I got on my apps 20 times this morning” I think instead “I took 20 deep breaths this morning”

by Ocean Eyes☺️

As a teenager struggling with screen time management ClearSpace has significantly improved my screen time challenging me to keep up a streak and limit my screen time I find that each week that I use this at my screen time seems to go lower and lower until the point of almost no interest at all in any of the apps, I would previously spend anywhere from 10 to 16 hours a day on procrastination used to be a terrible issue for me, not allowing me to get done anything including schoolwork, or hang out with friends and family over the staff has definitely helped me make a change and see that change in my life I would highly recommend ClearSpace for anyone who wants to start taking the steps to taking back their life from a screen!!

by Lexylu92

It’s easier to use than other similar apps. It doesn’t feel like ClearSpace tries to control my life. I’m able to get to apps when I absolutely need them and if I click on an app and I met with the screen, it’s almost like oh OK. I really don’t actually want to open my Instagram on my Facebook because if I did then I would take the time to do the breathing exercise or do the squats. I really love how ClearSpace has added in these exercises and schedules and different ways to monitor my screen time because I feel like a lot of my time was spent scrolling through Instagram and Facebook aimlessly.

by Alise M

I downloaded ClearSpace in hope of reducing my screen time and reliance on scrolling through social media. I have tried other apps or even timers/limits built within ClearSpace with no success. I have always found ways to get back into ClearSpace and scroll for another couple of hours. But somehow ClearSpace has been the winner for me. I set 4, 10 minute sessions of my social media apps which is still plenty of time to disassociate from my day-to-day life but still feel updated and involved in social media. Overtime I have found that sometimes I don’t even use up all of my allotted time on the apps because A. I have become less reliant, B. I become bored on ClearSpace more easily and C. I have been in a situation where I cannot wait for the breathing exercise and quote to go through to get into ClearSpace . Overall, ClearSpace as been a life, social, brain, and time-saver for me. I always recommend it and will continue to as well.

by Vickytttttttt

I am so grateful to this app for the huge effect it’s had on my mental health and productivity! I used the time limit function on iPhone but that wasn’t enough. What I love about this app is that it has really effectively rewired my brain to no longer instinctively open Instagram. I used to reflexively open Insta when I was bored and having the breathe screen pop up gives me a chance to think about whether I actually need to use Instagram or if I’m just bored. It has made me so much more intentional about my social media usage which has been so great for my mental health!! Absolute rockstar app!!

by Adi_ios_gamer

ClearSpace is the sole reason my screen time has been reduced 40-50%

You set which apps you’d like to restrict. The restricted apps have the following limitations: amount of time ClearSpace can be launched (you can go over this limit) and how much time you can spend per session (4 options).

Within each session you are prompted to open the breathe screen via notification. Once you’ve gone through the breathing exercise you can then pick the amount of time you’d like to keep the session open for launched app.

After the time limit has lapsed ClearSpace will automatically be dismissed.

The biggest deterrent to using ClearSpace becomes going through the breathing exercise. You really think through if ClearSpace is worth opening. By the time your done with the exercise sometimes you don’t even want to use ClearSpace .

You can very easily disable this app and use your apps freely, so ClearSpace works, but only if you let it.

by Kajsfdheksbdhdj

I don’t ever write reviews, but ClearSpace deserves 5 stars and more. Funny enough, I found ClearSpace off TikTok, which was ClearSpace I had been struggling to restrain myself from. I downloaded, not expecting anything out of it, but I was unexpectedly mistaken. I particularly love how every time you try to open your specified app, it makes you take a 10 second breath followed by a quote, allowing you to contemplate if opening ClearSpace is really the right choice. I wish the free trial allowed at least two apps, but unfortunately it only covers one. Overall, ClearSpace is worth the download.

by Randomuser00000111

My screen time is down two hours since getting ClearSpace. I definitely feel like the reward cycle I had for browsing the internet has been broken. ClearSpace does an incredible job of walking you through how to set everything up, and I wish more apps had such good intros. If you’ve got an app addiction you’d like to break, I highly recommend getting this! It’ll annoying the crap out of you, but that means it’s working. 😉 Stick with it!

by Domdorsey

I love ClearSpace! I usually don’t write reviews but this app has truly changed my life for the better and I just had to share my experience for everyone else out there. The unfortunate reality is that phone addiction isn’t really getting the attention it deserves in discussions about health and wellness, but this app is ahead of the game and has really helped be more mindful about the time I spend aimlessly scrolling. I started with the free version but recently upgraded so that I could add more apps and it been totally worth it so far. Try if for yourself!

by AmaraSoy

I’ve spent significantly less time, wasting away doom scrolling. Don’t underestimate the power of a quick moment to reconsider. So many time, have I unconsciously opened an app out of habit, just to be bored and waste hours. But now, it’s much easier to decide whether I actually want to use ClearSpace , or if I’m just doing so out of habit. My favorite feature is the timer, so even when I do want to use my apps, I won’t spend hours on it without realizing. Great, simple app, which helps me be more conscious with how I use my time, and how I utilize my phone.

by DiniHippie

I have only been using ClearSpace for a couple days now, and I have seen improvements. I mainly downloaded it because I felt I was spending too much time on my phone and procrastinating chores, or schoolwork, or things I want to try and accomplish. I have spent less time on my phone overall and did not realize how addicted I was! I think ClearSpace is helpful and think it’s worth the price that’s if you struggle with self discipline! Giving it a try even for a couple days was helpful for me, and I imagine if I continue with it that it will only benefit me! Thank you have a good day everyone !!