Limit Phone is the blocker that can't just be switched off
"The problem was, I’m technical enough to bypass anything. So eventually I realized: if I wanted freedom, I’d have to build the blocker I couldn't break."
Sometimes I just want to throw my phone away. But what if you didn’t have to throw the baby out with the bathwater?
Hey, I’m Cam Pak from faith.tools, and I recently connected with Ricard Gill who’s been working on a tool to help people find freedom from smartphone addiction and porn addiction.
What if there was a better way to regain control over your phone, so that your phone doesn’t have control of you?
I’m reminded of Genesis 1:26 BSB, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”” God gave us authority to rule over things like… smartphones.
But how do we exercise our authority and rule over smartphones?
One way is to use Limit.
What is Limit?
Limit is an unbreakable app and website blocker for smartphones that helps people quit porn and social media for good. It's designed for people who really want to change, even if they're tech-savvy or have tried everything else.
— Richard Gill
What’s the origin story of Limit?
The story of Limit starts with my own struggle.
I was addicted to social media - spending way too much time scrolling, chasing dopamine, and feeling stuck. I tried everything: gave my wife the PIN code to various blockers, deleted apps, installed blockers - but I always found ways around them.
The problem was, I’m technical enough to bypass anything. So eventually I realized: if I wanted freedom, I’d have to build the blocker I couldn't break.
That’s what Limit is. Once I got it working, I posted it online. And the response was overwhelming - so many people were fighting the same battle. It became clear this wasn’t just a tool for me, it was something others needed too. That’s when I turned it into something others could use easily.
— Richard Gill
Talk about a challenge you faced
There were a few moments where I nearly quit making Limit.
One of the hardest was figuring out how to make Limit “unbreakable” - not just for casual users, but for people like me who really know how phones work.
There were days when I thought, “This is impossible. Android just doesn’t allow this level of control.” But I kept pushing, researching, trying weird workarounds.
I was motivated by the memory of how stuck I had been - and by the messages from people who were desperate for something that actually worked.
Eventually I found a way to use Android’s device owner mode, basically enterprise-level tools, to lock things down at the system level. That changed everything.
— Richard Gill
Where have you seen God’s hand in this?
There have been moments where I felt something beyond just my effort was helping this come together.
When I first launched Limit, I didn’t expect anyone to care.
But suddenly there were emails, DMs, people saying, “I’ve been praying for something like this.” That really hit me. I’ve seen the timing work out in ways I couldn’t have planned.
A few early users turned up at just the right time and a YouTuber featured the app on his channel at just the right moment. And it’s been humbling to hear from people who say this app helped them break free and reconnect with faith or family.
— Richard Gill
What advice do you have for other believers who feel called to start something?
Creative perseverance is everything.
Sometimes doing the right thing doesn't look smart - maybe it doesn’t scale, or it doesn’t monetize well, or it’s too niche.
But if in your heart you know it's the right thing, stick with it.
I think to build something great takes a certain kind of stubbornness - faith, even - especially when the rewards aren’t instant.
— Richard Gill
Shameless plug. What’s good?
On the topic of de-cluttering digital life, I really like a few tools:
Cold Turkey - A brilliant desktop blocker
Beeper - 1 app to manage all your messages, so you can delete LinkedIn or Instagram, but stay connected
Another pro tip is to use a separate messaging app / account for the people closest in your life. This way you can have separate notification settings for your immediate family and everyone else.
— Richard Gill
If you liked reading this, please consider liking, commenting, and sharing. Or… please consider sharing the story of your app!
Updates on faith.tools:
We’ve passed 600 listed apps and tools for Christians on faith.tools 🥳. Some new ones include: yesHEis, Bible Times Game, Gloo AI Chat, Verso, and Godcaster.
Pastor Joseph Emeka Onah for won the $100 VidAngel gift card!
Thanks to Fext for sponsoring faith.tools. “Fext lets anyone send personalized mass texts one at a time, making each message feel direct and thoughtful.”
Updates on faith and tech:
Godwillingly, I’ll be going to the Gloo AI Hackathon from October 8-10th. (And perhaps you should come, too.)
The Lord is doing a work in coordinating deeper unity in the faith and tech spaces around the world. It’s been really fun connecting with friends, collaborating, and praying together.
Lightworks is raising funds to build Venture AI. “The digital revolution has transformed evangelism, with millions finding and renewing faith online each year. Yet, there are few mentors ready and equipped to disciple them.”
If you’ve made it this far down the post, I just want you to know that you are deeply loved by Jesus. If you’ve been confused on where to go or what to do lately, go to Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.