TIME Honors WeWard's Walk-First, Scroll-Later App Lock
New York – October 15, 2026 -- WeWard's Walking Mode, which locks distracting apps like social media and games until you hit your daily step goal, is available now on iOS after landing on TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 list in the Apps & Software category. Android is coming soon.
Walking Mode locks apps until you reach your step goal
The feature launched in July 2026 around one idea: walk first, scroll later. Users choose their own daily step goal and temporarily lock the apps they find distracting. Once the goal is met, the apps unlock automatically. Restrictions reset at midnight each day.
WeWard CEO and co-founder Yves Benchimol said the feature has resonated strongly with users and reflects a real need: people want to spend more time outside and moving.