Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about quieter sites, app blocking, shared breaks, privacy, and what to expect from Unspiral.
What is Unspiral?
Unspiral is an iPhone app for using social media with less noise. It opens quieter versions of supported websites, removes features such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, and can block the native apps you choose when you want a break.
How does Unspiral work?
Unspiral loads the web versions of supported social apps in an embedded browser and applies on-device display rules that hide or redirect distracting features. It does not modify the existing native apps or change anything on a social platform's servers. Your choices apply only when you browse inside Unspiral.
Which sites does Unspiral support?
Unspiral currently supports Instagram, YouTube, X, Reddit, and LinkedIn. Instagram always hides Reels, and YouTube always hides Shorts. Each site has its own additional controls, such as DMs only on Instagram, search-only mode on YouTube, Following only on X, and options that close ranked home feeds on Reddit and LinkedIn.
Can I delete the native social apps and use Unspiral instead?
Yes, if the mobile websites include the features you need. Messaging, posts, profiles, search, and regular videos remain available on supported sites, but some native-only features, notifications, calls, creator tools, or media workflows may be limited. You can also keep the native apps installed and use Unspiral's app blocking to add a boundary around them.
Does Unspiral require Screen Time access?
Screen Time access is needed only for native app blocking and shared breaks. You can skip it and still use the quieter websites. If you enable it, Apple gives Unspiral privacy-preserving selections for the apps or categories you choose. Those selections stay on your iPhone.
How does app blocking work?
Choose individual apps or categories in Apple's picker, set a break length, and start the break. The selected native apps are shielded while their supported websites remain available inside Unspiral. You can also create a recurring schedule for the days and times when you want the boundary to return automatically.
What is Locked In?
Locked In turns a break into a commitment. After you confirm it, Unspiral does not provide an early-exit control, and iOS app deletion is restricted until the displayed end time. Review the selected apps and duration before starting.
What is Post Mode?
Post Mode is an optional five-minute opening inside a longer ordinary block. It is designed for a quick task, such as posting something, before blocking returns. You choose how many openings are available each day. Post Mode is not available during a Locked In break.
How does Movie Mode work?
A host creates a room and shares its six-character code or invite link. Participants choose a display name, join, and tap Ready. The host can then start one break that ends at the same time for everyone who consented. Joining a room by itself never starts a break.
Do I need an Unspiral account?
No. Unspiral does not require an account. You sign in directly to each third-party website in its web page. WebKit stores that site's cookies and login state on your device, and Unspiral does not receive your social media username, password, messages, or cookies.
Does Unspiral track what I do on social media?
No. Unspiral does not send third-party page content, browsing URLs, messages, form entries, cookies, login information, or interactions inside the web view to its analytics provider. The app does send limited product events and native crash diagnostics so we can understand whether core features work. Movie Mode and feedback use only the information needed for those features.
Why am I having trouble signing in to a site?
The sign-in form belongs to the social platform, so password resets, account challenges, and two-factor authentication are handled by that platform. Try force-quitting Unspiral, reopening the site, or using another verification method. Too many failed attempts can also cause a temporary platform lockout.
Why did a quieter site change or stop working?
Supported sites change their mobile websites often. A redesign can move an element that Unspiral hides or temporarily break a workflow. Reopen the site and make sure you are using the newest Unspiral build. If the problem remains, send us the site name, the page, and what you expected to happen.
Is Unspiral available on Android, iPad, or Mac?
Unspiral is currently built for iPhone. Its native blocking features depend on Apple's Screen Time frameworks. Android, iPad, and Mac versions are not currently available.
How much does Unspiral cost?
Unspiral is available on the App Store for iPhone. Check the App Store listing for current pricing and trial details.
How do I clear my data?
Settings includes controls to reset Unspiral preferences, sessions, Screen Time configuration, and website data. You can also remove the app to delete its local data. For Movie Mode, analytics, feedback, or another privacy request, email support and include only the minimum details needed to locate the record.