Question 1

What is SlowDwn?

Accepted Answer

SlowDwn is a focus tool and website blocker alternative. Instead of locking you out, it adds intentional friction—a calm pause after a golden window of normal use—so you notice the urge to scroll and choose what to do next. Habits fade over a graduated ~90-day program, not a cold-turkey ban. Start free on Chrome; iOS and Android are in beta.

Question 2

How is SlowDwn different from Freedom, Cold Turkey, or Screen Time?

Accepted Answer

Hard blockers lock you out until a busy week—then you disable them and never turn them back on. Screen Time limits are easy to ignore. SlowDwn is a dimmer switch: you get uninterrupted use for a while, then a speed bump (breathing pause, shield, or overlay) that nudges without guilt. You stay in control; the habit fades over weeks.

Question 3

What is a golden window?

Accepted Answer

A golden window is a stretch of normal, full-speed use for an enrolled app or site. When it ends, SlowDwn shows calm friction—on the browser a skippable breathing pause; on mobile a soft pause or Screen Time-style shield—so impulse and intention can diverge. Window length follows content type and your unlearning phase; you do not set a daily allowance yourself.

Question 4

What platforms does SlowDwn support?

Accepted Answer

Chrome extension today (also Edge and Brave)—free on the Chrome Web Store. iOS and Android ship as invite beta until App Store / Play listings go live; when store URLs are set, the Platforms section links straight there. One account links browser and phone when you are ready.

Question 5

How much does SlowDwn cost?

Accepted Answer

Free forever: 1 service without an account, or up to 3 across Browser, iOS, and Android with a free account—no card required (1 service free · 3 with account). The same app on two phones counts as two. Pro unlocks unlimited services, extension ↔ phone sync, and full 4-phase program depth—$9/month or $99/year, same as on Apple. Annual is the better value; monthly is available if you prefer. Checkout on iOS is via the App Store; web billing follows.

Question 6

Does SlowDwn see my browsing or app content?

Accepted Answer

Friction runs on-device: we do not upload your feeds, watch history, or scroll content. With an optional account, settings and usage summaries sync—and unlock/pause history you keep may include a service name, reason, and optionally a URL or page title. Screen Time display names can sync; opaque tokens stay on-device. Full details are on the Privacy Policy page (/privacy).

Question 7

What if I miss a day or turn a service off?

Accepted Answer

Nothing punishes you. There are no streaks to break. When you turn a service Off, the phase clock pauses and holds—travel days, launch weeks, life. Resume when you are ready; progress does not reset or shame you.

Question 8

What are the 4 unlearning phases?

Accepted Answer

After you enroll the feeds that pull you off track, SlowDwn advances through 4 automatic phases as you actually hit the pause—not on a calendar: Awareness (soft friction so you notice cues), Plateau (a steadier speed bump), Automaticity (variable friction that weakens reward loops), and Extinction (habit fade). Turn a service Off and progress holds; unused apps stay in Awareness. You do not pick shrinking daily quotas.

Question 9

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Install the free Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store and try one service with no account. Sign up free to unlock up to 3 services in the dashboard, then link the extension from its popup. Add iOS or Android beta when invited. The product guides you through 4 unlearning phases at your own pace. Pro is $9/month or $99/year—same as on the App Store.

Fade distracting feeds without locking yourself out

Feel the pause that breaks autopilot

A dimmer switch, not a wall

From one site to calmer habits

Try one site free

Sign up for three

Add your phone

What happens in each phase

Awareness

Plateau

Automaticity

Extinction

Browser today. Phone in beta.

Chrome

iOS

Android

Friction stays on your device.

Free to try. Pro when it sticks.

Common questions

Ready for a calmer feed—on browser and phone?