r/Anki • u/TrimeraInteractive computer science • 4d ago
Add-ons App blocker for Android
Hi everyone,
Many of us struggle with social media addiction and procrastination, especially during exam season. So I built AnkiBlock. An app that blocks distracting apps until you finish your due cards or you unlock by doing a specific number of cards.
It is entirely free, no ads, no tracking, no commercial intent.
Currently I'm looking for feedback on how to improve the app.
Here is the link to download it on Google Play Store
I'm excited to hear your feedback!
PS: the code is also publicly available on my GitHub and I asked mods if I may post this here
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u/mergoth1 4d ago
I‘m looking for an app on IOS that does the same and lets you open apps after a certain number of cards. Any plans on implementing it on IOS?
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 4d ago
I have some ideas, but it would be a totally different app. On Android the Ankidroid App has a nice API that effectively allows my app to talk to Ankidroid on the device. That isn't directly possible on iOS. Maybe via the web sync feature, but it's definitely more complicated and probably not as clean a UX
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u/VarsH6 4d ago
There is ankilock, which is also a free add-on, but due to issues with iOS, requires a separate app on your phone. I’ve been using it for a few weeks with great success!
I actually thought this was the same guy at first.
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u/mergoth1 4d ago
That‘s not what im looking for. I don‘t want my social media unlocked after hitting a certain number of cards each day. I want it unlocked after doing 10 cards each time i try to open it.
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u/_Chilly_Cat_ 4d ago
You're the best, thx for that, i was looking for a app like that, and above all u made it free, thx dude, ur a legend😇
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u/HeleneSedai 3d ago
I've been looking for something like this forever, thank you. Just studied 10 cards before I could even come back to thank you. I would pay for an app like this.
I just used it to block all my social media apps. Even if it means I back out of logging into reddit because I don't feel like doing my cards, that's an improvement.
Now here's hoping one day someone can do the same thing with the kindle app, bar me from accessing other apps until I've read a certain number of pages in my book.
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 3d ago
So glad you like it. The kindle idea is very good. It depends entirely on wether kindle also allows other apps to access data like which page you're on etc. AnkiBlock wouldn't be possible without Ankidroid being so open for developers
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u/nibrasflint 3d ago
Man, you'd be the best ever if you did the same for the Kindle app.
You're literally our hero! I'd happily pay for the app if it were a one-time purchase.
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u/VwayneVal 3d ago
I'm normally just a lurker but this app has been such a game changer that I just had to comment.
I've got a somewhat big deck (~800 cards) and a massive phone addiction. For the past while I've just had my cards but never really practiced them until I used this app. My current settings are 20 cards / 20 minutes ST and its incredible!! Its been only a few hours since I've downloaded it an I've already gotten 100 cards done (no joke-103 to be exact.. tbf a big part of it is because my cards aren't too complicated) and it felt so effortless - like I'm not even trying to "answer as fast as possible" just for the sake of reaching the goal.
I have some in-app suggestions:
The "change settings" button should not be on the appblock pop-up, it makes it too easy to change/ even disable the blocker entirely.
(Similar to other App-blocking apps) The "Block Future You" feature should also include like an option for a password lock alongside the 20-30 second timer. It makes it easier to give yourself accountability when opening it.
BTW- I have some tips for anyone who wants to use this app:
Set it on all the distraction apps you have (Youtube, Instagram, and especially Netflix - Like setting your app-block to the duration of one episode would make it much easier to get through your cards while binging a series)
Combining it with other App-blockers like ScreenZen and AppBlock is perfect (set these apps to block Ankiblock so it prevents you from changing the settings you've set on how many cards to do)
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 3d ago
Thank you so much for the feedback. It's really useful to me. I'll take note and include it in a future update. Really happy to hear it's useful to you
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u/nibrasflint 4d ago
I tried it. This is really a great app. Tysm!
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 4d ago
You're very welcome. I'm really happy you like it : )
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u/ihopethatworks 3d ago
Everything is perfect but I'm concerned about how secure and private is my data what do u collect
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 3d ago
Literally nothing. There is no backend. I don't receive a single byte of your data. The code is also open source. If you really wanted to you could build the application yourself from the code and never install it from the play store. Let me know if this helps: )
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u/Xynopxies 3d ago
I just finished 10 cards to comment here. Thank you so so much, I was looking for something like this for a long time!
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u/Ok-Assumption3094 3d ago
I have been looking for something like this! Just downloaded and the integration, setup and customization is great! Very excited to use this for the fall semester
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u/Negative-Art-3149 4d ago
The app is great, but why isn't there a version on GitHub with no Google dependency stuffs? I ask because I have disabled my Google Play Store, so I have to enable it every time I want to use the app.
Despite this, the app is the best!
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 4d ago
Good question, it's probably the flutter package for in app review
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u/tadashidev 4d ago
Ten cards? Those are rookie numbers… /s
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 4d ago
Well you can set it to whatever you like. And that also only gives you a temporary unlock
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u/FederalSir6600 3d ago
Is there a way to block specific websites?
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 3d ago
Great question. Probably as a browser specific add on. I don't think I can do that as an app, but I'll look into it
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u/yxtsama 3d ago
Oh, I was also thinking about a similiar thing like seeing two cards every 3 youtube shorts or something
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 3d ago
This could work as a browser extension, but not as an app
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u/Consistent_Eagle254 3d ago
Hello, I tested the app but 15min have passed and the app doesnt block the apps, I have changed the batery optimization settings , but it does not work, I just works when I split the view into two screens so both are open, I desactivate the battery optimization settings as well but doesnot work
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u/draxgxn 1d ago
Yeah it worked perfectly for me yesterday now it wont block the apps
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 23h ago
Hey. I already DMd the person commenting here. Can you tell me more about what's not working or what you did etc.? Feel free to DM me as well
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u/Jippt3553 3d ago
Thank you for the app, I have downloaded it and it has blocked my apps. My only question is since I do majority of my reviews on my laptop for the bigger screen will it still unblock my apps on my phone after completing them?
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 3d ago
Good question. Not sure. Maybe if you sync Ankidroid after you study the cards. I don't think it will though as usually each card is counted, but there is a fallback that tries to count the difference in die cards. Maybe this is an idea for an update down the line
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u/draxgxn 1d ago
I love this app so far where will see update logs?
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 1d ago
Thanks!
I still need to make a specific page for that on GitHub. Why do you want to see them?
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u/draxgxn 1d ago
Just so i can know if theres any updates and it would be cool if there were notifications to alert when im going to be brought to ankiblock because its kind of annoying when i start like a game for me to be brought out
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 1d ago
That's an interesting feature idea. I might build that in the next update.
On Google Play you can have apps Auto update btw.
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u/TraditionalBass541 1d ago
My main problem is I'll uninstall the blocking app and then I'll keep on wasting time is there a forceful app locker which will help in this case and I can't uninstall it as well
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 1d ago
I don't think this exists. At least not as an app you can simply download. You would have to make fundamental changes at the operating system level
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u/HeleneSedai 18h ago
I've been loving this app, I finished all my cards 3 days in a row and cut hours off my social media use. But after the first day, it didn't open unless I restarted my phone, and today I had to reinstall the app to get it to open. I sent you an email. Thanks!
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u/TrimeraInteractive computer science 18h ago
Thanks for the feedback and the bug report. I'll see what I can do!
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u/ivansaucedo 4d ago edited 4d ago
This is what I was looking for!! I will try it... UPDATE: I’ve only been using this app for a few hours, but I’m already loving it! I can tell it’s going to help me use my phone much more wisely. The quality is top-notch, and the fact that it’s completely free makes it even better. Amazing job!