Free · Offline · Private

Stop scrolling.
Start learning.

Detour adds a quick 10-second challenge every time you open a distracting app. You still get in — but every open becomes a moment of growth.

100% on-device
Zero data collected
Works offline
CHALLENGE
Which is larger?
8 × 7
9 × 6
Correct!
Opening Instagram...
🔥 12 day streak

Three steps. That's it.

No accounts. No sign-up. No cloud. Just install and go.

1

Pick your apps

Choose which apps distract you most — social media, games, news, anything. Detour protects only those.

2

Open as usual

Tap any restricted app and a 10-second micro-challenge appears. Solve it to continue. That's the detour.

3

Grow every day

50 app opens = 50 micro-lessons. Track your streak, watch your skills improve, and reclaim your time.

😵‍💫

The problem

You pick up your phone to check one thing. 45 minutes later, you're deep in a scroll hole. App blockers don't work because you just disable them.

2,617 Average daily phone touches
🧠

The Detour approach

We don't block your apps. We add a productive pause — a quick challenge that makes you think before you scroll. You still get in. But you grow every time.

10s Average challenge time
Detour app — Stop scrolling, start learning
7 Challenge types
32 Languages supported
0 Data collected
10s Per challenge

Not a quiz app.
A better habit.

Each challenge takes 5–15 seconds, works offline, and gets harder as you improve.

Language Learning

Word Bridge

A word appears in your language. Drag the missing letter tile to complete its translation. Powered by spaced repetition — words you get wrong come back more often.

  • 50 opens/day = 50 words reinforced
  • Difficulty scales from common words to abstract vocabulary
  • SM-2 algorithm remembers what you need to practice
Translate to English
Maison
H?USE
Drag the correct letter
Math & Logic

Number Sense

Quick mental math that keeps your brain sharp. Three types: comparisons, estimation, and rapid arithmetic.

  • Compare: "Which is larger: 8×7 or 9×6?"
  • Estimate: "Roughly what is 15% of 240?"
  • Quick Math: "67 + 48 = ?"
Which is larger?
8 × 7
vs
9 × 6
Wellness

Breath Gate

One intentional breath cycle. A circle expands and contracts — breathe with it. Users often realize they didn't actually want the app.

  • Easy: Box Breathing (4-4) — calms the nervous system
  • Medium: Relaxing Breath (4-7) — longer exhale for rest
  • Hard: Clinical 4-8 — used in anxiety therapy
Breathe with the circle
Inhale
Mindfulness

Present Moment

A grounding prompt breaks the autopilot loop. A 5-second mandatory pause forces you to actually notice your surroundings.

  • "Name 3 things you can see right now."
  • "What was your reason for picking up your phone?"
  • "What would you rather be doing right now?"
Pause & Notice
Name 3 things you can see right now.
I noticed · 5s
Critical Thinking

One True Thing

Three statements appear — two true, one false. Find the odd one out. Builds critical thinking and media literacy.

  • Technology myths, health misconceptions, space facts
  • Scales from obvious myths to nuanced claims
  • Learn something new every time you reach for your phone
Find the false statement
✔ Honey never spoils
✘ Lightning never strikes the same place twice
✔ Octopuses have three hearts
Physical Awareness

Body Check

A body region pulses on screen. Hold it for 3 seconds to consciously release tension you didn't know you had.

  • Shoulders, jaw, forehead, hands — common tension spots
  • Guided at first, self-identified at higher levels
  • Breaks chronic tension patterns from screen time
Relax your shoulders
Hold for 3s
Memory Training

Mind's Eye

A pattern of colored dots flashes for 3 seconds, then disappears. Recreate it from memory. The brief window forces genuine focus.

  • Easy: 3×3 grid, 4 colors, 3 second window
  • Medium: 3×3 grid, 5 colors, 2 seconds
  • Hard: 4×4 grid, 6 colors, 2 seconds
Memorize the pattern
3s remaining

Not a blocker.
A better you.

Truly private

No accounts, no servers, no analytics, no tracking. Everything stays on your phone. We literally cannot see your data.

Not punishment

Get the wrong answer twice? The app opens anyway. Detour is a tool for self-improvement, not a prison for your phone.

Real skill growth

Adaptive difficulty powered by spaced repetition. Challenges get harder as you level up. Track your progress on the dashboard.

Built for Android

A native Android app built specifically for the platform. Uses system APIs for reliable, battery-efficient monitoring.

Actual learning

Not filler content. Language vocab, mental math, critical thinking, breathing techniques, and mindfulness — all backed by research.

Free forever

Core features are always free. Optional Detour+ adds accountability connections to share progress with partners and support development.

Stay accountable
together.

Invite a friend, partner, or family member to see your progress. When someone is watching, you show up more. Accountability Connections let you share just enough to stay motivated — without exposing anything personal.

1
Generate an invite code in Settings and share it with someone you trust.
2
They enter your code in their Detour app. You're now connected.
3
See each other's progress — streaks, weekly challenges, and accuracy. Disconnect anytime.

Privacy first: Only aggregate stats are shared — no usage patterns, no personal data, no device identifiers. Partners see your streak, accuracy, and restricted app names. Disconnect anytime to remove all shared data instantly.

Detour+ Feature
A
Alex's Progress
Accountability Partner
Current Streak 12 days
Longest Streak 34 days
This Week 47 challenges
Weekly Accuracy 89%
Total Completed 1,204

Upgrade to
Detour+

Core features are always free. Detour+ adds accountability connections and supports independent development.

Up to 3 accountability connections
Share progress stats with partners
Support independent development
All core features stay free forever

Free 7-day trial — no charge until the trial ends. Cancel anytime from your Google Play settings.

Detour+
$3.99
per month

7-day free trial included with every subscription. Cancel anytime — no questions asked.

Ready to take the
productive detour?

Join thousands making every app open count. Free, private, offline.