Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What exactly does this app do?

This app helps you take back control of your time on short-form content platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. You can set daily limits based on time or number of videos, and see usage insights to reflect on your habits.

How does it measure my time or the number of videos?

We use an Android accessibility service to detect when you're using specific apps and when content is changing on screen.

• Time tracking: The app monitors when a supported app (e.g., TikTok) is active and the screen is on.
• Video count tracking: It listens to changes in the window structure (UI updates) to detect when a new video appears, based on layout changes.

This all happens locally and efficiently, without watching or recording the screen.

Why does it need accessibility permissions?

To monitor which app is on screen and detect interface changes, the app relies on Android's Accessibility Service. This is the only reliable method to observe app usage in the background without requiring root or invasive permissions.

We never access or read your personal content — just the names of the apps and certain UI events.

What about my privacy?

Your privacy is our top priority. MindfulScroll:

• Does not collect or store any personal data
• Does not send any information to our servers
• Processes everything locally on your device

How do I set limits?

You can define your limits in two ways:

• Daily time limit (e.g., 30 minutes total)
• Video count limit (e.g., 50 videos)
• Time range block (e.g., From 22:00 To 05:00)

Once you approach or exceed your limit, the app shows gentle reminders to help you stay mindful.

Can I see how much I've used in a day?

Yes. The app provides daily and per-app stats, so you can visualize how much time or how many videos you've consumed. This helps you reflect and adjust your usage intentionally.

Does it drain my battery?

Nope — the app is lightweight. It activates only when needed, and the checks it performs are optimized to be as efficient as possible.

Why does the app feel so minimal?

Because it's intentional. We believe mindfulness starts with less distraction. The design avoids clutter and interruptions to help you reconnect with your goals — not just add more digital noise.

How can I uninstall or pause the app?

To uninstall, go to Settings > Apps > MindfulScroll > Uninstall.

To pause usage tracking temporarily:

• Open the app and toggle the tracking feature off.
• Or go to your device's Accessibility settings and turn off the MindfulScroll service.

You can return and resume at any time.

Why did MindfulScroll stop working?

Due to a long-standing bug in Android's accessibility system, some devices may randomly stop delivering events to accessibility-based apps like MindfulScroll. This is a known issue acknowledged in Android forums for years.

We've implemented every possible workaround, but in some cases the system simply halts event delivery without warning.

For more info and a table of possible solutions (like restarting the service or rebooting), please visit:

👉 Troubleshooting MindfulScroll