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Leash, a low-dopamine mobile browser replacement

Leash, a low-dopamine mobile browser replacement

by hemmert·Jun 10, 2026·3 points·4 comments

AI Analysis

●●SolidCozyNiche Gem

No address bar or bookmarks—intentionally useless in the best way.

Strengths
  • Removes core browser features (address bar, bookmarks) as intentional design choice.
  • System integration for QR codes and link handling from other apps.
  • Clear philosophical stance on digital minimalism with polished execution.
Weaknesses
  • iOS-only limits reach; Android users can't access this approach.
  • Existing Screen Time controls and minimal browsers already address similar needs.
Category
Target Audience

People trying to reduce screen time and digital distractions

Similar To

One Sec · Minimal Browser · Screen Time

Post Description

Hello!

In an attempt to reduce my time spent on screens (and more time in real life), I uninstalled social media from my phone ages ago. The same for email: only on desktop for me.

At some point, I discovered that I would, however, not spend that much less time on my phone, but rather 'migrate' to other habits, such as impulse checking of news sites.

A mobile browser is like a fridge full of sweets if you're trying to stay on a healthy diet.

So I've been living without a mobile browser for a long time: I disabled Safari on my iPhone in parental controls (as you can't delete Safari without installing another browser), and it worked quite well for me: I indeed spent way less time on my phone (RSS for news works better, because the RSS feed has a defined ending).

But in some situations, this was a problem: Scanning a QR code to pay for a parking lot, tapping a link that a friend sent me over WhatsApp, or simply looking up something on the web (I even installed the Wikipedia app) – not possible.

So I decided to (vibe) code a simple browser myself, but:

- without an address bar - without 'favourites'

... so a browser that merely reacts to your life: QR code scanning works again (just scan via the camera app, will open Leash), so does tapping links and looking up stuff on the web.

I've been daily driving it for about 6 weeks now, and it works like a charm.

Of course, I'm also interested in any other 'low-dopamine' mods you're doing!

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