Show HN: I created an app to remove Reels, now on iOS too (apps.apple.com)

4 points by adrianhacar 4mo ago ↗ HN

Last year I built an Android app to block Reels and Shorts while keeping "healthy" features like stories and DMs. I didn't want to block the whole app. I just wanted to message friends and see their posts without losing an hour scrolling on Reels. This was the HN post for the Android version: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44923520

When people asked for an iOS version, I thought it was not possible. Apple is way more restrictive and doesn't allow that level of app access.

But I ended up building the iOS app using a different approach. On iOS, it uses WebApps. It's not exactly the same experience as the native app, but it works surprisingly well.

I also combined it with iOS Shortcuts to auto-redirect the native apps to WebApps, so I can keep Instagram installed for notifications but get sent to the WebApp without Reels and any feed when I tap.

Curious what you think, especially about the WebApp approach on iOS.

3 comments

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Muhammad523 4mo ago ↗

I think this is amazing, thanks so much for your work. I think i'll use this app to gradually treat my sisters' instagram addiction...

I'd really like if you open source this app

matherslabs 4mo ago ↗

This is really cool. I like your workaround on iOS too. It's what made me click your post because I thought "surely that can't be possible on iOS, right? what's the secret". Appreciate you explaining how you circumvented iOS here!

adrianhacar 4mo ago ↗

Thanks! Yeah, iOS is more restrictive, but the webapp workaround works really well.