App review
Forest — a tree that dies if you unlock your phone
Gentle gamification of focus: plant a virtual tree for 25 min. If you unlock the app to scroll social media, the tree dies. Simple, effective, even when you know the trick.
What it is
You want to work for 25 minutes. You open Forest, start a timer, a little virtual tree starts growing. If you leave the app to go to Instagram before the timer ends, the tree dies.
That’s it. It’s silly. It works.
Why it works
The “avoidable symbolic cost” rule: killing a virtual tree is objectively nothing. But your brain refuses to do it for nothing. The brake kicks in the second you think about scrolling Instagram — just enough to remind you why you’re here.
ADHD-optimal setup
- Download (2.99 € one-time on iOS, freemium on Android).
- Also install the Chrome extension to block distracting sites during the session.
- Start with 25 min (classic pomodoro). Move up to 50 when you’re ready.
- Put the phone out of your line of sight. Forest’s gamification reinforces the physical removal — it doesn’t replace it.
Verdict
A tool that works in small doses. The first few months, the trick is powerful. After that, your brain learns to unlock guilt-free. Tip: alternate Forest with something else (Focusmate, focus music, Pomofocus.io) to keep it fresh.
Bonus: the coins earned in Forest can be converted into real tree plantings via Trees for the Future. Not the main marketing hype, but the project is real.