Manaya is an iPhone app for people who lose hours to doom scrolling. It puts a pause in front of the apps that pull you in, and Mana stays with you so getting better does not feel like a scolding.
Blocking uses Apple’s Screen Time tools on your phone. No VPN gimmick. No Manaya cloud that owns your rules.
Open a blocked app. You get a pause before the scroll starts.
Groups
A protection group is a named list of apps (and optional sites) you chose, plus one plan for how hard those apps are to open.
You invent the names: “Doomscrolling”, “Important chats”, “Lighter distractions”. Manaya does not pick apps for you. You name the group and fill it.
One group with everything is fine. Add more only if you want different strength for different apps, say Hard for social and Easy for something lighter. Multiple groups can run at once.
Plans
Each group gets a plan:
- Easy / Basic: a short Wait before the app opens
- Medium / Standard: a longer Wait, plus schedules and a daily open limit
- Hard / Strict: full block by default, stronger turn-off friction, and blocked app deletion when Hard is on
- Custom: you set the dials for that group
Wait and Open window
Wait is the pause before a protected app can open. Open window is the short stretch it stays usable after you finish the Wait, then the shield returns. Higher plans keep that window shorter on purpose.
Mana
Mana is the companion in the app. Streaks, small wins, a face that cheers when you walk away. Progress should feel kind.
Limits
No iPhone app can lock you in forever. You stay in control through iPhone Settings. Manaya makes the impulsive path hard on purpose.
Who it’s for
- You keep losing hours to social and short video
- Screen Time’s Ignore Limit is too easy when the urge is loud
- You want levels, including different strength per app set
- You care that the rules stay on your device
Next
See how Manaya works, compare groups and plans, or join the beta waitlist.