How to Be Productive: 4 FREE Device Hacks (EASY)

About this video

David argues that apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube spend billions to distract users, so willpower alone is not enough, and presents four device hacks. First, turn off notifications: on iPhone via Settings > Notifications app by app, or use Focus modes that allow notifications only from explicit apps; on Android via Settings > Notifications or Do Not Disturb, which on his phone blocks every app by default until added. Second, turn the phone to grayscale so doom-scrolling apps are less enticing: on iPhone via Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters, plus a Shortcuts home-screen button using the Set Color Filters action; on Android via Accessibility and color correction with grayscale selected. Third, use AppBlock, described as both a mobile app and browser extension, to block time-wasting websites, blocking a site directly or using a keyword such as ‘shorts’ to block YouTube Shorts without blocking all of YouTube, noting the mobile app is limited to four hours if you do not pay. Fourth, use Freedom for session blocking across devices: create block lists for websites and desktop and iOS apps, then start a timed session, demonstrated as 90 minutes, so blocked apps and sites are stopped on all devices in the session.

Key takeaways

• Turn off notifications app by app, or use iPhone Focus modes / Android Do Not Disturb to allow notifications only from explicitly chosen apps and check email and messages on your own time.
• Grayscale makes colorful apps less enticing: enable it on iPhone under Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters, and add a Shortcuts home-screen toggle for quick switching.
• AppBlock’s browser extension can block specific websites or use keywords in the URL, such as blocking ‘shorts’ for YouTube Shorts without blocking all of YouTube.
• Freedom provides cross-device session blocking: build block lists of websites and apps, then start a timed session so the blocks apply on computer and phone together.
• The video frames the four hacks as layered defenses because notifications off alone does not stop you from picking up the phone yourself.

Episode details: published April 1, 2025 · 9:33 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Kevin Stratvert’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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