I use my iPad as a versatile device for both entertainment and work, whether I’m on the go or on the couch.
To help me stay productive when needed, I’ve compiled a list of six apps that I find particularly useful.
One Sec
Shortcuts
Menu
Notion
Reeder
Matter
1. One Sec — Stop Mindless Scrolling
One Sec is an app blocker that distinguishes itself from its competitors.
Instead of outright blocking distracting apps like a roadblock, it’s more like a high-speed bump that gives you a couple more seconds to decide if you genuinely want to open the app.
I find this app perfect for a multi-purpose device like an iPad that I use for both work and entertainment. I have the option to watch YouTube videos or read an ebook, but I make it harder to get into watching videos with One Sec.
Using One Sec does necessitate a more initial setup, and it also requires the Shortcuts app by Apple, which happens to be the next app I wanted to feature.
Download One Sec from App Store
2. Shortcuts — Create Shortcuts and Automations
For one, Shortcuts can automate redirecting you to One Sec when you open a distracting app, giving you a chance to reconsider.
Beyond that, the Shortcuts app offers endless possibilities for creating shortcuts that can be placed in the Control Centre, lock screen, or automate tasks based on specific conditions.
Here are some examples of what you can do with the Shortcuts app.
Download Shortcuts from App Store
3. Menu — Make a Dopamine Menu
Menu is an app I created and use to adopt the idea of having a dopamine menu.
Dopamine Menu or Dopamenu is a concept popularized by Jessica McCabe, the creator and host of the channel How to ADHD. Essentially, it involves creating a list of activities, ideally without screens, as alternatives to scrolling on your phone.
When I find myself mindlessly picking up my phone or iPad, I can open the Dopamine Menu I’ve created within this app and select an alternative activity, such as playing the keyboard.
4. Notion — All-In-One Workspace
Notion requires less introduction compared to other apps.
I use it to track my projects, jot down content ideas, and more recently to manage the roadmap and issues for the apps I’m working on.
While the Notion app can be more cumbersome to navigate and use compared to its desktop counterpart, it remains a valuable tool for capturing and retrieving information on the go. It’s also worth acknowledging the efforts of the Notion team in gradually enhancing the mobile experience.
If you’re seeking inspiration on how to utilize Notion, you can explore my Notion templates here.
Download Notion from App Store
5. Reeder — RSS Feed Reader
Keeping up with news on social media is bound to be biased towards sensational and conversational content, among other distracting elements on the platform.
On the other hand, hopping from one news platform to another to check the latest news can be time-consuming, and it’s often filled with ads.
Reeder is an RSS reader that helps me manage my news consumption in a healthy and manageable way. It aggregates news from my trusted sources and presents them in a chronological feed.
Download Reeder from App Store
6. Matter — Read-Later App
Matter is a read-later app that also allows you to bring together newsletters and RSS feeds.
I use Matter quite differently from Reeder. While Reeder pulls all the news from my added sources and lets me skim through them, Matter is reserved solely for articles I intentionally save for a more focused reading later.
Not only does it facilitate a distraction-free reading session, but I also find Matter’s recommendations for similar reads to be quite helpful for diving deeper into a topic.
The primary reason I subscribed to Matter for a year was to give it more time to prove itself. I genuinely appreciate the modern design of the app. However, if you’re looking for a free read-later alternative, Instapaper is a great option.