About This Project

BLOCKY is a silly but effective approach to digital wellness that uses social accountability to enforce focus time. When users try to override their self-imposed focus mode, the app automatically sends a text message to their chosen accountability partner, creating real consequences for breaking focus. Built as a native iOS app, it integrates deeply with iOS Focus modes and uses NFC tags for physical interaction points around the user's environment.

Key Features

Deep iOS Focus mode integration and override detection

Automatic text messaging via Twilio API

NFC tag programming for physical focus triggers

Customizable 'shame messages' sent to accountability partners

Focus session tracking and streak counting

Partner response system for encouragement or consequences

Escalating accountability levels based on repeat violations

Privacy-focused local data storage

Challenges

The most complex challenge was detecting when users override iOS Focus modes, as Apple doesn't provide direct APIs for this. I had to create a system using background app refresh monitoring and notification delivery tracking to infer when focus was broken. Additionally, balancing the 'shame' aspect with genuine helpfulness required extensive user testing to find the right tone and frequency.

What I Learned

This project pushed me deep into iOS system integrations I'd never explored before, including Focus mode APIs, NFC programming, and background processing limitations. I learned about the psychology of accountability systems and how social pressure can be a powerful motivator when applied thoughtfully. The project also taught me the importance of ethical considerations in behavior-modification apps.