Paced

What is Paced?

Paced is a digital well-being app designed to help people reduce mindless scrolling by tying screen-time control to physical movement. The app’s core purpose is to help users “find [their] pace” by trading steps for screen access, so the time you spend on your phone feels intentional rather than automatic.

The app is positioned as more than a simple blocker: it’s described as a supportive coach for managing screen habits. Paced was created by Rhonda Lavoie to address personal screen addiction, with the stated goal of giving users a practical way to stop doomscrolling and replace it with movement.

Key Features

• Step-to-screen-time approach: Paced uses your steps as the basis for how screen time is allowed, aiming to reduce “infinite scroll” patterns by introducing a physical action requirement.
• Unlimited app groups (Pro): Users can separate different categories of apps (for example, work, news, and social) so boundaries can be applied more deliberately.
• Custom timers: Users can set the length of active sessions and cooldown periods to match their routines.
• Smart scheduling: Different boundaries can be configured for workdays versus weekends.
• Advanced analytics (Pro): The app tracks steps, saved time, and cooldown statistics over weeks or months.

How to Use Paced

Start by downloading Paced for free (no credit card is required, as stated on the site). Open the app and begin using its step-based approach to regulate your screen time.

If you want more control, upgrade to Paced Pro (the site describes a free version and a separate Pro experience) to set unlimited app groups, adjust custom session and cooldown timers, and enable smart scheduling for different parts of your week.

Over time, use the app’s analytics (described for Pro) to review trends related to steps and your screen-time changes.

Use Cases

• Breaking a doomscroll habit during downtime: When you sit down expecting to relax for a few minutes, Paced can help interrupt the “infinite scroll” loop by requiring movement (steps) to continue.
• Separating work from distraction apps: If certain apps tend to pull you away from tasks, you can group them (e.g., work vs. social/news) and apply boundaries that fit each group.
• Handling different routines on weekdays vs. weekends: Use smart scheduling to apply stricter or different limits on workdays and more flexible boundaries on weekends.
• Planning short, repeatable phone sessions: Set session lengths and cooldown periods so phone use follows a cycle (e.g., limited time on, then a cooldown) rather than running continuously.
• Reviewing progress over time: Use analytics to look at steps taken and “saved time,” along with cooldown statistics, to understand whether your boundaries are working across weeks or months.

FAQ

• Is Paced free to download? Yes. The site states that Paced is “free to download” and that no credit card is required.

• What does Paced Pro add? The site lists Pro capabilities including unlimited app groups, custom timers, smart scheduling, and advanced analytics (steps, saved time, and cooldown stats over time).

• How does Paced reduce screen-time use? Paced uses steps as the basis for screen time, with the goal of interrupting doomscrolling and encouraging movement.

• Can I set different rules for different times of the week? Yes. Smart scheduling is described as allowing different boundaries for work days and weekends.

• What kind of reporting does Paced provide? For Pro, the site mentions advanced analytics that track steps, saved time, and cooldown statistics over weeks or months.

Alternatives

• Website/app blocking and scheduling tools: General-purpose blocking apps can restrict access to distracting apps or sites on schedules, but they don’t necessarily connect screen access to step-based activity.
• Focus and time-boxing apps: Tools that encourage shorter sessions and focus modes can reduce time spent on distractions; they differ from Paced by relying on time management rather than a movement/steps trigger.
• Micro-break timers and breathing prompts: Apps that remind users to take short pauses may help interrupt loops, but they focus on brief mental resets rather than tying phone use to movement.
• Step-tracking integrations with habit routines: Some fitness or habit apps can be combined with routines to encourage movement; Paced’s distinction is that it is built specifically around trading steps for screen time.