6 Apps to Replace Doomscrolling on Your Phone
Replace the urge to scroll with healthier, more rewarding activities.
Jul 24, 2025, 6:50 PM
Tired of doomscrolling that leaves you feeling drained?
We have compiled a list of 6 apps that serve as healthier alternatives to use on your phone.
Try them out to inspire, educate, and enrich your daily life.
Deepstash (iOS, Android)
It’s hard to see many picking up a book for leisure instead of scrolling on the phone.
With Deepstash, scrolling becomes a way to discover new ideas and inspiration from books.
While nothing can truly replace the experience of reading a book, Deepstash offers a more approachable alternative. It presents condensed ideas from books, podcasts, and articles in a TikTok-style feed.
Furthermore, the card-like format for each idea makes it easier to digest, rather than being overwhelmed by paragraph after paragraph of text.
Vocabulary (iOS, Android)
Replace TikTok scrolling with vocabulary scrolling.
Each swipe takes you to a new page displaying a word, its definition, and an example.
You can spend those few minutes waiting in line or during your bus ride learning new words and expanding your vocabulary, or at least reinforcing the words you already know.
TED (iOS, Android)
You have probably seen a TED talk before.
But what you might not know is that there is a Shorts tab in their TED app.
Yes, just like YouTube Shorts, TED also has its own Shorts that feature clips from TED talks and content.
It’s perfect for when you don't have enough time to watch an entire TED talk or are just looking for quick inspiration.
Reeder (iOS)
RSS is a healthier way to get your news
Using an RSS reader like Reeder, you can consolidate articles from your trusted sources into a single app, eliminating the need to visit each site individually.
More importantly, RSS feeds show posts in a chronological order, unlike algorithms designed to keep you scrolling and often amplifying negative or sensational news.
For alternatives available on both iOS and Android, consider Feedly, Feedbin, or Inoreader.
NYT Games (iOS, Android)
You may not be familiar with NYT Games, but you’ve probably heard of Wordle.
Wordle is now one of the word and logic games part of NYT Games, alongside others like The Crossword and Spelling Bee.
These games are a fun way to keep your mind sharp, and solving them can provide a rewarding sense of accomplishment.
Duolingo (iOS, Android)
Most people think of Duolingo as the owl that “guilts” you into finishing your language lessons.
These days, Duolingo offers much more, with courses in Math, Piano, and Chess.
Regardless of your learning interests, Duolingo offers a gamified learning roadmap that helps first-time learners feel less intimidated and makes the learning process enjoyable.
