Why do we struggle to change our phone habits?
Because we're trying to change
the wrong thing.
De-Viced is a daily behavior-change program that guides you through taking back control of your phone use – in a way that actually lasts.
(and our Beta version is now open – and essentially free)
De-Viced is a daily behavior-change program that guides you through taking back control of your phone use – in a way that actually lasts.
(and our Beta version is now open – and essentially free)
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We block apps,
set limits and detox
WHAT WE BUILT
A different approach
Working with behavioural scientist Dr Maèva Flayelle,
we built a guided program – about 10 minutes a day
– that trains the four skills to take back control from
the autopilot.
Working with behavioural scientist Dr Maèva Flayelle, we built a guided program – about 10 minutes a day – that trains the four skills to take back control from the autopilot.
It’s producing a very different pattern of results. Problematic smartphone use fell substantially – and was even lower when we followed up three months after the program ended.
Using typical approaches
to tackle problematic smartphone use
-6%
During
Intervention
1-6 Weeks
After Intervention
-31%
-18%
Wk 1
Wk 6
Wk 12
Wk 18
Screen time limits, blockers & similar tools: 6-31% reduction with a rebound*
Using De-Viced
to tackle problematic smartphone use
-52%
During
Program
After
Program
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
52% reduction on average - with progress continuing after the program ended*
Our hypothesis
We think progress continues because participants aren’t just suppressing their phone habits – they’ve built the skills to actually change them.
Using De-Viced
to solve problematic smartphone use
-52%
During
Program
After
Program
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
52% reduction on average – with progress continuing after the program ended*
Participants experienced meaningful change
↓ 74%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
“De-Viced made a huge impact on how I noticed the extent to which I was using my phone and not enjoying the moment.
Now I’m sleeping and feeling better in general!”
Maxine Stonebridge
Nursery Assistant, UK
↓ 82%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
“I would say, if you value your time, do it.
If you want to start actually living and do meaningful things - and want control of your life back - then please do it.”
Francesca Purcell
Pilot participant, UK
↓ 58%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
“It is well worth a go to see the benefits for themselves - as it worked for me really well. It's made my evenings feel more fulfilling.
I am much more aware and find it easier to stop. ”
Julius Anson
Civil Servant, UK
↓ 48%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
"I might still spend a similar amount of time on my phone, but the way I spend that time has really changed."
Ruveen Abeysuriya
Architectural Designer, UK
↓ 45%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
"I feel under control now. It used to be an automatic reaction to pick up and scroll. Now I can use my phone without needing to check the feed on Instagram or Facebook."
↓ 61%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
“Before, when I reduced the time I was spending on my phone, I easily went back to old habits.
Now I feel more confident that I won’t be spending unnecessary time browsing without purpose.”
↓ 87%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
“I liked losing the feeling that I needed to check my phone.
Now, when I find myself scrolling without meaning to, I notice it and do something else rather than just continuing like I used to.”
↓ 63%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
“I thought I should be able to stop using it all by myself - but there had been many failed attempts. De-Viced completely switched my mindset and habits. I’m no longer doing things that are essentially a waste of my time."
Rachael Miles
Civil servant, UK
↓ 55%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
"The biggest shock was that there were times during the program when I didn’t even know where my phone was. Before, it was always in my hand or on the table - always within reach."
↓ 48%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
"It’s just a habit now. I don’t have my phone after 9pm. I’m looking after myself more. I’m reading. It’s really a positive thing. I’m so pleased with the results!"
Emma Eltis
Civil servant, UK
↓ 49%
Significant reduction in
problematic phone use
“It’s not so much a need anymore.
I’m not perfect, but the timing is more appropriate. I’m more present with my family and better able to prioritise important things over phone use.”
↓ 74%
Significant reduction in problematic phone use
“De-Viced made a huge impact on how I noticed the extent to which I was using my phone and not enjoying the moment.
Now I’m sleeping and feeling better in general!”
Maxine Stonebridge
Nursery Assistant, UK
↓ 82%
Significant reduction in problematic phone use
“I would say, if you value your time, do it.
If you want to start actually living and do meaningful things - and want control of your life back - then please do it.”
Francesca Purcell
Pilot participant, UK
↓ 58%
Significant reduction in problematic phone use
“It is well worth a go to see the benefits for themselves - as it worked for me really well. It's made my evenings feel more fulfilling.
I am much more aware and find it easier to stop. ”
Julius Anson
Civil Servant, UK
↓ 48%
Significant reduction in problematic phone use
"I might still spend a similar amount of time on my phone, but the way I spend that time has really changed."
Ruveen Abeysuriya
Architectural Designer, UK
↓ 63%
Significant reduction in problematic phone use
“I thought I should be able to stop using it all by myself - but there had been many failed attempts. De-Viced completely switched my mindset and habits. I’m no longer doing things that are essentially a waste of my time."
Rachael Miles
Civil servant, UK
↓ 48%
Significant reduction in problematic phone use
"It’s just a habit now. I don’t have my phone after 9pm. I’m looking after myself more. I’m reading. It’s really a positive thing. I’m so pleased with the results!"
Emma Eltis
Civil servant, UK
Swipe to see more
the Right First question isn’t
the Right First question isn’t
How can I cut my
screen time?
How can I cut my
screen time?
The Question Is
The Question Is
How do I get off autopilot?
How do I get off autopilot?
DE-VICED GUIDES YOU THROUGH
Building the four skills
of lasting phone control
THE FIRST SKILL
See your autopilot
You can’t control what you don’t see. So you start by learning to notice the moments when your phone use stops being fully intentional – when you reach automatically, drift away from what you meant to do or find it harder than expected to stop.
THE SECOND SKILL
Understand your drivers
You start understanding what sets your autopilot in motion: the situations and routines that trigger it, the needs your phone may be meeting, and the things that weaken your ability to stop – like stress, strong emotions or tiredness.
THE THIRD SKILL
Find your combination
There isn’t one phone hack that works for everyone – or even one tactic that works for you in every situation. The skill is learning which combination works best for your patterns – then repeating it and refining it until it starts to become second nature.
THE FOURTH SKILL
Train your reset
Everyone slips. When you chase perfect streaks, one bad evening can feel like failure – and send you straight back to the phone. Instead, you train the reset: staying factual, avoiding self-criticism and getting back on track quickly. It gets easier with practice.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Get off autopilot
for 8 weeks
Get off autopilot
for 8 weeks
Building the four skills is a gradual but active process. It’s not about overhauling your phone habits overnight – it starts with a willingness to approach your habits with a bit of curiosity.
Over eight weeks, De-Viced guides you through it in about 10 minutes a day, with most of the practice happening as you go about your normal life.
Finding what works
Finding what works
Interested in trying
the De-Viced approach?
Interested in trying the
De-Viced approach?
Applications are now open for the De-Viced Beta.
Applications are now open for the
De-Viced Beta.
Interested in trying
the De-Viced approach?
Applications are now open for the De-Viced Beta.
PUT TO THE TEST
We built De-Viced around a hypothesis
We built De-Viced around
a hypothesis
If people build the skills needed to take back control from the autopilot, problematic phone use should fall – and the improvement should last beyond the program.
We spent 18 months developing the approach, then tested it in a longitudinal study.
The results showed exactly that pattern.
Self-regulation
& resilience skills
+74%
+48%
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Problematic
smartphone use
-52%
During
Program
After
Program
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Satisfaction level
with self-control
+109%
1.9
3.9
1
Very
dissatisfied
2
Dissatisfied
3
Neutral
4
Satisfied
5
Very
satisfied
Problematic
smartphone use
-52%
During
Program
After
Program
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Self-regulation & resilience skills
+74%
+48%
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Self-regulation & resilience skills
+74%
+48%
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Problematic
smartphone use
-52%
During
Program
After
Program
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Self-regulation
& resilience skills
+74%
+48%
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Problematic
smartphone use
-52%
During
Program
After
Program
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Satisfaction level
with self-control
+109%
1.9
3.9
1
Very
dissatisfied
2
Dissatisfied
3
Neutral
4
Satisfied
5
Very
satisfied
Problematic
smartphone use
-52%
During
Program
After
Program
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Self-regulation & resilience skills
+74%
+48%
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Self-regulation & resilience skills
+74%
+48%
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Problematic
smartphone use
-52%
During
Program
After
Program
Wk 1
Wk 8
Wk 14
Wk 20
Our goal is to recruit 1000 participants – which would make the Beta the largest study of it’s kind.
Our goal is to recruit 1000 participants – which would make the Beta the largest study of it’s kind.
The first study involved 44 participants - enough to show a statistically significant result, and fairly typical for a study that follows people over time. But if we want to move the cultural conversation beyond suppression strategies, we need to go bigger.
The first study involved 44 participants - enough to show a statistically significant result, and fairly typical for a study that follows people over time. But if we want to move the cultural conversation beyond suppression strategies, we need to go bigger.
The De-Viced Beta is now open – and essentially free
We want to make it as easy as possible for people to take part – while still creating enough commitment for the program to work well.
So we use a refundable deposit. Pay when you join, complete the program within three months, and you get it back.
To accelerate participation and learning, we want the program to be essentially free during the Beta phase.
But when something is completely free, it can be harder to create a sense of commitment - and De-Viced works best when you really want to do it.
So we use a refundable deposit. Pay the deposit when you join, complete the program within three months, and you get it back.
$75 / €65 / £55
$75 / €65 / £55
Refundable deposit
A refundable deposit — not a program fee
A refundable deposit — not a program fee
During the Beta, we are not charging a program fee. Instead, participants pay a refundable $75 / €65 / £55 deposit.
The deposit is there to encourage completion.
If the program doesn't feel right for you, you can leave within the first seven days and receive a full refund.
The deposit is returned in full when you complete the program within three months. Program access remains available for six months from the date of payment.
The deposit is returned in full when you complete the program within three months. Program access remains available for six months from the date of payment.
$75 / €65 / £55
Refundable deposit
A refundable deposit — not a program fee
During the Beta, we are not charging a program fee. Instead, participants pay a refundable $75 / €65 / £55 deposit.
The deposit is there to encourage completion.
If the program doesn't feel right for you, you can leave within the first seven days and receive a full refund.
The deposit is returned in full when you complete the program within three months. Program access remains available for six months from the date of payment.
That’s our idea of a win-win: a well-researched, simple and enjoyable program that’s still in its early form – not a flashy app yet, but already showing strong results – with very little downside for someone who genuinely wants to change their phone habits.
If that sounds fair – we’d love to have you.
That’s our idea of a win-win: a well-researched, simple and enjoyable program that’s still in its early form – not a flashy app yet, but already showing strong results – with very little downside for someone who genuinely wants to change their phone habits.
If that sounds fair – we’d love to have you.
You don’t have to feel addicted to want to get off autopilot
Some people came to De-Viced feeling addicted to their phone. Others simply feel they're spending more time on it than they wanted. What they have in common is that something about their phone use isn't working for them.
Some people came to De-Viced feeling addicted to their phone. Others simply feel they're spending more time on it than they wanted.
The phone seemed to always be in my hand. I would go into it for something essential, then bounce off into social media or the news. My phone use had got out of hand.
– Chris L
I was spending more time on my phone than I wanted. It was never a big problem, but it was a bit of a problem. We would sit on the sofa, both on our phones, just mindlessly browsing.
– Emma
I hated how much I needed my phone close to me. I felt like I was a bit addicted to it. It was just so easy to pick it up and immediately start scrolling.
– Rose
I knew that I needed to stop, but I did not know how. There was always something I wanted to do on my phone. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I’d spent two hours.
– Chinedu
At the time, I thought my phone use was fine. I would literally carry it everywhere. It almost felt like it was chained to me. I’d pick it up and still be scrolling 30 minutes later.
– Chris S
I was feeling like something was missing if I didn’t have my phone with me. I always felt the need to reply and check social media. I spent way too much time on my phone.
– Maxine
The phone seemed to always be in my hand. I would go into it for something essential, then bounce off into social media or the news. My phone use had got out of hand.
– Chris L
I was spending more time on my phone than I wanted. It was never a big problem, but it was a bit of a problem. We would sit on the sofa, both on our phones, just mindlessly browsing.
– Emma
I hated how much I needed my phone close to me. I felt like I was a bit addicted to it. It was just so easy to pick it up and immediately start scrolling.
– Rose
I knew that I needed to stop, but I did not know how. There was always something I wanted to do on my phone. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I’d spent two hours.
– Chinedu
At the time, I thought my phone use was fine. I would literally carry it everywhere. It almost felt like it was chained to me. I’d pick it up and still be scrolling 30 minutes later.
– Chris S
I was feeling like something was missing if I didn’t have my phone with me. I always felt the need to reply and check social media. I spent way too much time on my phone.
– Maxine
I felt I had lost control of my phone use, although I probably would have described it to someone else as simply spending more time on it than I wanted to.
– Rachael
I knew I wasn’t as bad as some people, so I didn’t think I had much of a problem. My daughter would be trying to get my attention, and afterwards I’d feel a rush of guilt.
– Heather
I was spending more time on my phone than I wanted, but I didn’t realise how much it was affecting everything else: friends, family, cooking, exercise and the things I had planned.
– Ruveen
My phone use would begin intentional, like checking the weather - but I would then spend more time on unnecessary use, such as social media, which would be a waste of my time.
– Amanda
I would go on apps mindlessly and before I knew it hours had passed. I would check apps and notifications constantly. It was bad - it had to change.
– Francesca
I had the automatic habit of picking it up and scrolling for too long when I should be doing something else. I didn’t like the risk of bad habits being passed on to my young daughter.
– Julius
I felt I had lost control of my phone use, although I probably would have described it to someone else as simply spending more time on it than I wanted to.
– Rachael
I knew I wasn’t as bad as some people, so I didn’t think I had much of a problem. My daughter would be trying to get my attention, and afterwards I’d feel a rush of guilt.
– Heather
I was spending more time on my phone than I wanted, but I didn’t realise how much it was affecting everything else: friends, family, cooking, exercise and the things I had planned.
– Ruveen
My phone use would begin intentional, like checking the weather - but I would then spend more time on unnecessary use, such as social media, which would be a waste of my time.
– Amanda
I would go on apps mindlessly and before I knew it hours had passed. I would check apps and notifications constantly. It was bad - it had to change.
– Francesca
I had the automatic habit of picking it up and scrolling for too long when I should be doing something else. I didn’t like the risk of bad habits being passed on to my young daughter.
– Julius
It's time to change the goal
It's time to change
the goal
Take back control of your phone use –
in a way that lasts.
Kaiju Sàrl (operating De-Viced)
CHE-332.723.280
Email: support@de-viced.com
© De-Viced 2026
Take back control of your phone use –
in a way that lasts.
Kaiju Sàrl (operating De-Viced)
CHE-332.723.280
Email: support@de-viced.com
© De-Viced 2026
Take back control of your phone use –
in a way that lasts.
© De-Viced 2026
We block apps,
set limits and detox
But deleting an app doesn't delete what makes us reach for the phone
That's why our habits bounce back