Contact

Questions or bugs? Email paperssapers@gmail.com. Include your app build, iPhone/iOS version and what happened. This page is operated by Nayan Sapers.

Be Cognizant

When you open an app you've set up, Cogz comes forward and asks why, in your own words. It reads what you mean on your iPhone, shorthand included ("dm sam", "hw"), replies, you pick a time, and it takes you back to the app. No real reason? Cogz asks once more, suggests leaving it for later, then checks one last time. Tap Open anyway at any point to go straight to the time. It runs from an automation you make in Shortcuts, a separate app made by Apple that's already on your iPhone. Setup takes 3–5 minutes, and Cogz walks you through it step by step, keeping your place while you switch apps (Settings > Be Cognizant > Set up in Shortcuts). On iOS 27: in Shortcuts, tap + > Automation > App (under Apps), tap the App placeholder and select your apps, make sure it says "is opened", search for Cogz, tap Be Cognizant, then set App to Variables > App. On iOS 26 and earlier, each app needs its own automation: tap Automation at the bottom, then +, then App; choose one app, tick Is Opened, choose Run Immediately and tap Next; tap New Blank Automation, add Be Cognizant, and set App to that same app (not listed? choose Other app and type its name). Repeat for each app. On iOS 18 to 25, Shortcuts asks "Continue in Cogz?" first. Cogz can also close an app when your time's up. At the end of setup, pick the same apps in Screen Time's list, all at once. The first time Cogz asks about each one, tap it once in the chat ("Which one is NYTimes?") to match it, or match it later in Settings > Be Cognizant > Close apps when time's up. Then, when your time's up (the minutes you chose, of use or on the clock, whichever comes first), a Time's up screen covers it with the check-in. Until then you can come and go freely (approve a login in another app and come back) without being asked again.

The Screen Time pause (optional)

Prefer a shield with quick reasons and no Shortcuts setup? Choose Quick shield when you first open Cogz, or later turn off Be Cognizant in Settings and choose apps under Screen Time pause. When you open one, Cogz asks Why do you need to use this app? Tap I don't and the app closes. Tap I have to and pick one of three reasons (Do something specific, Connect with someone, Browse). Then: How long do you need? Tap Pick the time for 1, 5 or 10 minutes of actual use, or Actually, I don't need to. The app opens and Cogz gets out of the way. You don't need to open Cogz itself.

The check-in

When your time's up, Cogz asks Did you use it to do what you wanted to? Yes or No. For an app you've matched for Time's up (or one on the Screen Time pause), a Time's up screen covers it: tap OK, answer, and the app closes. (If you're still in the app when time runs out, iOS may show its own "Restricted" screen first; tap OK there too.) Otherwise the check-in waits right on Today, with Yes and No on the card (more than one? the rest are a tap away), and in History. Done before your time? Tap I'm done early on Today, and its check-in takes the card's place. Optional: for apps you haven't matched to close, turn on Nudge me when time's up (Settings > Be Cognizant) for one notification when your time's up that you can answer from. Answer anywhere, and the others clear.

Make it yours

With the Screen Time pause on, Settings > Intentions & times lets you rename its three reasons and change the three times (1-60 minutes) it offers, for every app or for one app on its own. Renaming a reason never changes your history. Be Cognizant offers the same three times.

Your Cogz Score

Out of 100, every day. It averages two halves. Reasons, why you opened apps: something specific or connecting counts fully; browsing does too, up to five times a day, then half; opening with no reason counts a quarter; skipping an app counts fully. Follow-through: your Yes and No check-ins. History has three tabs, Today, 7 days and 30 days, each with why you opened apps, both halves and one thing to notice. All time shows your score by day, a week at a time (swipe for earlier weeks). Charts show when you open apps and how each kind of reason tends to go. Unanswered check-ins don't count toward Follow-through, and Screen Time totals never count.

Regain access

To stop Be Cognizant, turn it off in Settings or delete its automation in Shortcuts; a Time's up screen also lifts as soon as you answer it. For the Screen Time pause, use Pause protection in Settings. There's also an emergency pause that works even if Cogz' data can't load, and you can always revoke access in iOS Settings > Screen Time > Apps with Screen Time Access. Recovery never needs a network connection.

Compatibility

Cogz supports iOS 18 and later. Be Cognizant works on all of them; on iOS 18 to 25 Shortcuts asks "Continue in Cogz?" before the chat. For the Screen Time pause, on iOS 26.4 and later every choice happens right on the shield; on earlier versions the shield asks you to open Cogz to choose. Up to 50 protected apps; up to 12 can have time running at once. Picking a category adds the apps in it one by one; websites aren't supported yet.

Screen Time report

Screen Time totals in Cogz are drawn by Apple's isolated reporting system. Missing or delayed data doesn't mean zero use. Report data never enters your history or score.

Export and privacy

Export and deletion are in Settings. Exports (the CSV and Export my history) contain your reasons and the app names from your Shortcuts automation; share carefully. See the privacy policy.