How to earn screen time by moving
Learn how SlothUp turns short guided movement sessions into screen time for selected iPhone apps—without rigid workout plans or extra equipment.
Updated 24 August 2026Earning screen time through movement creates a simple exchange: move first, then choose when to scroll. Instead of relying on a hard daily ban, you add a useful action before opening an app that often takes more time than intended.
SlothUp is built around short, guided sessions. Every completed movement minute earns one SlothUp, which can optionally be exchanged for access to apps selected in App Shield.
How the SlothUp exchange works
The system is intentionally straightforward and remains optional. You can use SlothUp only as a movement companion, or connect Apple Screen Time when you want movement and app access to work together.
- Choose a realistic daily movement goal.
- Start a short guided session with no equipment required.
- Complete at least one minute and receive one SlothUp per credited minute.
- Select distracting apps in the optional App Shield.
- Exchange your balance for intentional access time when you want it.
Start small enough to repeat it
A one-minute session is still a completed session. Beginning with a low-friction action makes it easier to use movement during a study break, between meetings, or before an evening scroll.
The goal is not to make phone use a punishment. It is to turn an automatic tap into a deliberate choice and make brief movement visible along the way.
Use earned time intentionally
Select only the apps that regularly pull you in longer than planned. Keep essential communication, navigation, health, and safety apps outside the shield. Start with one distracting app and adjust the exchange only after you understand how it fits your routine.
Rest days are part of the plan. SlothUp is a self-management tool, not a medical device or a substitute for professional health advice.
Frequently asked questions
How many SlothUps do I earn per movement minute?
Every credited movement minute earns one SlothUp after you complete at least one minute of a guided session.
Do I have to block apps to use SlothUp?
No. App Shield is optional. You can complete sessions, set goals, build streaks, and track movement without connecting Screen Time.