# My Settings in Apple Downtime

> I use Apple Downtime to help me be conscious of how I spend the end and beginning of my day. Here is how I have mine setup.

Source: https://curiouslychase.com/posts/my-settings-in-apple-downtime/

> [!info]
> 2024-09-06 I started using Downtime again but my settings are very strict!
> 
2022-10-04 I've stopped using Screentime. I still think these are good settings, but I don't use it anymore.

Downtime is a setting in [Screentime](https://curiouslychase.com/posts/apple-screentime-settings/) that enables the user to set specific blocks of time that certain apps are totally unavailable. 

I use Downtime as a point of [friction](https://curiouslychase.com/posts/friction-a-secret-tool-for-successful-habits/) for making it hard for me to use my devices unconsciously. 

I have Downtime set to be on between 00:00 and 23:59. That's **all day**. It's scheduled for **Every Day**.

# Always Allowed Apps
Apple Downtime gives you the option of always allowing apps. 

I want to use my devices in a healthy way during Downtime, not ignore it entirely, so I think having allowed apps that help me spend my time consciously towards what I want to do is a good thing. 

Here are the apps that I always allow and why I always allow them:
- **Phone, messages**, [Notion Calendar](https://curiouslychase.com/posts/notion-calendar/) - In case someone needs to get in touch with me.
- **Maps** - In the rare occasion that I'm driving or in another city past my Downtime start.
- **Obsidian** - I write first thing in the morning (as early as 05:00) and sometimes write in my dream journal if I wake up in the middle of the night. [Obsidian](https://curiouslychase.com/tools/obsidian/) is where I write _everything_.
- **Kindle, Audible, Libby, Blinkist, [Snipd](https://curiouslychase.com/tools/snipd/)** - I only consume content on these platforms for growth or rest, so I want them to be available. 
- **[Spotify](https://curiouslychase.com/tools/spotify/)** - I listen to music _all the time_ and access to music during the activities I mentioned above is important.
- [Claude](https://curiouslychase.com/tools/claude/), [Perplexity](https://curiouslychase.com/tools/perplexity/) and [ChatGPT](https://curiouslychase.com/tools/chatgpt/) 

The main heuristic I use for allowing an app during downtime is: 

**Is this a tool or platform I will use in an unconscious way?**