Blog
Guides for a phone you meant to pick up.
One question per guide. The answer is in the opening, then the setup, the failure modes, and what ReClaim actually does on device. Written by the people who build the launcher.
How to turn off Gmail notifications on Android
Set Email notifications to High priority only or None for each account, tune labels and sounds, or switch Gmail off in Android settings.
How to turn off WhatsApp notifications on Android
Mute busy chats and groups, tune WhatsApp’s own alerts, archive what can wait, or silence WhatsApp in Android settings.
How to turn off Snapchat notifications on Android
Uncheck categories in the app, silence Snapchat in Settings, or mute awhile with Do Not Disturb or Focus mode.
How to turn off Facebook notifications on Android
Switch off categories in the app, silence Facebook in Settings, mute for a while, and remember Messenger is separate.
How to turn off TikTok notifications on Android
Switch off notification types in the app, mute them on a schedule, limit voice calls, or silence TikTok entirely.
How to turn off Instagram notifications on Android
Switch off notification types in the app, mute one account, pause them or use sleep mode, or silence Instagram entirely.
How to turn off YouTube notifications on Android
Switch off notification types in the app, mute one channel with the bell, get a daily digest, or silence YouTube entirely.
How to stop Chrome notifications on Android
Block every website from sending notifications, turn off one noisy site, quiet the pop-ups, or silence Chrome entirely.
Olauncher vs ReClaim: a fair comparison
Where Olauncher is the better pick, what ReClaim adds, and how minimalist phone, Niagara and Before Launcher compare.
The best app blockers for Android in 2026
ScreenZen, AppBlock, one sec, ReClaim, minimalist phone and Digital Wellbeing: what each does and who it suits.
The best minimalist launchers for Android in 2026
Niagara, Olauncher, Before Launcher, minimalist phone and ReClaim, sorted by what each one is best at.
ScreenZen vs one sec on Android, and the best free alternatives
How the two pause-before-you-open apps differ, and the alternatives worth trying on Android.
How to turn your Android into a dumbphone
Pick a dumbphone launcher, add friction to the feeds, and keep maps, banking and messages working.
How to hide notifications on the lock screen on Android
Hide every notification from the lock screen on Pixel or Samsung, hide just what they say, or keep one private app off it.
How to snooze notifications on Android
Turn on snoozing on Pixel or Samsung, push a notification back until you are ready, and find snoozed ones in notification history.
How to turn off notification dots on Android
One switch on Pixel, App icon badges on Samsung, the per-app switch for exceptions, and which apps deserve to keep a dot on your home screen.
How to change the default launcher on Android
Android calls it the Home app. Where to set it on Pixel and Samsung, how to switch back, what changes, and what to look for in a launcher for less screen time.
How to turn off autoplay on YouTube on Android
Three switches: the Autoplay switch on the player, Playback in feeds for muted previews, and the cast queue on your TV. Plus what autoplay off does not stop.
How to stop doomscrolling on Android
Find the feed and the hour that eat your time, then add a stopping point: fewer pings, the icon off the first screen, app and site timers, and Bedtime mode.
How to use Digital Wellbeing on Android
Open the dashboard, set app timers, turn on Focus mode, schedule Bedtime mode, and pick which built-in tool fits the habit.
How to limit YouTube Shorts on Android
YouTube’s Shorts feed limit, even at zero, break and bedtime reminders, an empty Home feed, and an Android app timer for when one tap to ignore is too easy.
How to hide apps on Android
Private space on Pixel, Samsung’s Hide apps setting, removing icons, and disabling preinstalled apps, plus what hiding does and does not do for the habit.
Does grayscale save battery on Android?
Why grayscale barely changes battery on OLED or LCD screens, and what does: dark theme on OLED, lower brightness, and less screen-on time.
How to turn off notifications for specific apps on Android
Pixel and Samsung steps to turn one app off, keep only the categories that matter, make alerts silent, and hide apps from the lock screen.
How to check screen time on Android
Digital Wellbeing dashboard on Pixel and Samsung, weekly report, screen time widget, and what to change after you see the numbers.
How to turn on Do Not Disturb on Android
Quick Settings and Modes paths on Pixel and Samsung, duration, schedules, exceptions for people and apps, and when Bedtime or Focus mode fits better.
How to set app timers on Android
Digital Wellbeing daily caps on Pixel and Samsung, App limits PIN, Chrome site timers, and when a timer needs a harder limit beside it.
How to set up Focus mode on Android
Pause distracting apps on Pixel or Samsung, set a weekday schedule, use Take a break carefully, and know when you need a harder limit.
How to set up Bedtime mode on Android
Schedule or while charging, Do Not Disturb exceptions, grayscale and other screen options, Pixel and Samsung paths, and what to add when one app still wins at night.
How to use grayscale mode on Android to cut screen time
Where the setting lives on Pixel and Samsung, how to schedule it for bedtime, what three studies found, and why it leaves the unlock habit alone.
How to stop opening apps on autopilot
A checking habit fires before you decide. Take the cue off the home screen, then match the friction to how automatic the open has become.
App limits, blocking, or reminders: which one to use
A block expires on its own and cannot be lifted early. A limit can be raised. A reminder asks you to pick the minutes before the app opens.
How to block apps on Android without uninstalling them
Digital Wellbeing timers, Focus mode, and a launcher block compared, including the permissions a block needs if it is going to hold.
How to set up a minimal Android home screen
A clock, a short list of apps you mean to open, and a plain alphabetical list for everything else. What to leave off, and why.
Start with the home screen if the phone feels noisy the moment you unlock it. Start with blocking if there is already an app you want gone until a time you can name. The product behind these notes is described here, and the permissions each feature needs are on the requirements page.