How would you market a calm iPhone app that is not really “productivity”?
I’m a solo iOS developer and I recently built an app called LCKDN.
It’s an iPhone app for people who want a calmer relationship with their phone.
The idea is not really “productivity” in the hustle sense. I don’t want to position it as do more work, block everything, become a machine.
The philosophy is more:
- less noise
- more life
- fewer unconscious scrolls
- calmer phone habits
- intentional app use
- protected moments for focus, sleep, family, reading, etc.
I’m trying to figure out the best way to market this kind of app without making it feel like another aggressive screen time/productivity tool.
My current thoughts:
- ASO around keywords like app blocker, screen time, minimalist phone, stop scrolling
- Instagram posts with calm editorial visuals
- Reddit discussions around digital minimalism and phone habits, without spamming
- Short videos showing relatable phone distraction moments
- Positioning it more as “calm phone” than “productivity”
But I’m not fully sure what angle would convert best.
For people who have marketed iOS apps before:
Would you position this more as:
- an app blocker?
- a digital wellbeing app?
- a minimalist phone app?
- a focus app?
- a screen time app?
- something else?
Also, what kind of content would you make for this?
I’m open to honest feedback. I’m still learning app marketing and trying to do this in a transparent way, not fake UGC or spammy posts.