Features

Built for how sleep
actually works.

Every Tempo feature is designed around sleep science and behaviour change research β€” not engagement metrics.

The Bookends System

Three modes. One goal: own the edges of your day.

9:00 PM
πŸŒ™

Wind Down Mode

Where the ritual begins

Wind Down is Tempo's flagship mode. When your chosen time hits, Tempo begins a personalised sequence designed to ease you off your phone and into a state of calm β€” gently, not harshly.

Gradual app restrictions
Distracting apps fade out progressively β€” social media first, then everything else. No sudden walls.
Personalised ritual sequence
A curated flow through breathing, journaling, and mindfulness β€” built around your preferences.
Smart friction
When you try to open a blocked app, Tempo intercepts with a gentle reminder β€” giving you the pause your brain needs.
Schedule flexibility
Wind down starts whenever you set it β€” default 9 PM but fully configurable.
11:30 PM
πŸ’€

Sleep Mode

Full protection through the night

Once you're in bed, Sleep Mode takes over. Strict blocking, a quiet return-to-sleep hub for those 3 AM moments, and zero social media until morning.

Strict app blocking
During sleep hours, blocked apps require an explicit override β€” enough friction to break the habit loop.
Return-to-sleep hub
Woken up at 3 AM? Tempo's hub opens instead of your feed β€” breathing, soundscapes, body scan.
Night mode UI
The entire interface dims during sleep hours. No bright whites, no stimulation.
Emergency override
Life happens. One-tap full override, no guilt β€” Tempo notes the slip and moves on.
6:00 AM
β˜€οΈ

Morning Mode

An intentional start, every day

Morning Mode ensures your phone earns back your attention gradually. Apps unlock as the morning progresses so you start with intention rather than a dopamine hit.

Progressive app unlock
Your most distracting apps stay blocked until mid-morning. Email first, news second, social last.
Morning activation
Optional 30-second check-in: how did you sleep? What's one intention for today?
Light exposure nudge
Tempo reminds you to get sunlight in the first 30 minutes β€” one of the best sleep-quality hacks.
Streak tracking
See your wind-down consistency and sleep quality trends over time. Build the habit, see the proof.

The ritual toolkit

Each tool is purpose-built for sleep. No filler.

🫁

Breathing Exercises

Three science-backed patterns that activate the parasympathetic nervous system β€” your body's built-in braking system.

4-7-8 Breathing
Inhale 4, hold 7, exhale 8. Clinically shown to reduce anxiety and lower heart rate within minutes.
Box Breathing
4 counts each: in, hold, out, hold. Used by Navy SEALs to control stress response under pressure.
Calm Breathing
5-second inhale, 5-second exhale. The simplest, most effective pattern for winding down.
🧠

Brain Dump

A guided journaling ritual to offload tomorrow's worries before bed. Racing thoughts are the #1 reason people can't fall asleep.

Rotating prompts
Prompts like β€œWhat’s on your mind?” and β€œWhat can wait until tomorrow?” β€” never repetitive.
Timer sessions
Optional timed sessions (3, 5, or 10 minutes) to keep the ritual short and focused.
Private history
All entries stored locally, encrypted on device. This is for you, not us.
Release animation
A satisfying 'release' at the end signals to your brain: these thoughts are parked.
β›”

Smart Screen Blocking

Powered by Apple's Screen Time API and Android's Digital Wellbeing API β€” native, reliable, no loopholes.

Category blocking
Block by category (social, entertainment, games) or choose specific apps.
Schedule-based
Blocking kicks in automatically at your wind-down time. No remembering to turn it on.
Gentle friction first
Before hard blocking, Tempo adds a 10-second pause prompt. Often that's all you need.
No workarounds
Native OS integration means no loopholes β€” unlike browser-based blockers a private tab defeats.

Why not just use Screen Time?

Apple's built-in tools block. Tempo replaces.

FEATURE
SCREEN TIME
TEMPO
App blocking
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Guided wind-down ritual
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Breathing exercises
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Brain dump journaling
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Smart friction (not hard walls)
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Return-to-sleep hub
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Morning unblocking schedule
Partial
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Habit tracking & streaks
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Personalised ritual
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Ready to try it?

🍎 Download for iOSRead user reviews β†’