We Just Launched the "No, Don't Do It" app
- Aldo
- Aug 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 5
Hey everyone,
I'm excited to share that we just launched the "No, Don't Do It" app on the Apple App Store for your iPhone and Apple Watch. I want to tell you the story of why I built this app and what it means to me.
The Moment That Started Everything
Two years ago, I moved to northern Sonoma wine country after living in San Francisco for 20 years. I've made amazing friends here and learned that people in wine country drink... well, a lot of wine. Of course, this is one of the most incredible wine regions in the world. Every visit, event, and get-together includes wine, and as much as I love a good wine, I realized I needed to cut back.
That's when it hit me: I have apps to track my calories, my steps, my sleep, my meditation streaks... but nothing that would actually stop me in that moment when someone's pouring another glass. Nothing that would tap me on the shoulder and say, "Hey, remember what you decided earlier?"
I went home that night (after another glass of wine) and couldn't stop thinking about it. Why do all these habit apps wait until after you've already screwed up to help you? It's like having a smoke detector that only goes off the day after the fire.
Discovering the Science
This time felt different. I was solving something I personally struggled with.
The concept was simple: what if your iPhone or Apple Watch could privately nudge you with haptic vibrations during those critical moments? Not notifications that everyone can see. Not alarms that embarrass you. Just discreet vibrations that remind you of what YOU decided you wanted to avoid.
I spent weeks diving into behavioral psychology research. Turns out, there's a whole field studying "just-in-time intervention"—basically, interrupting behaviors at the moment of choice rather than tracking them afterward. Researchers at Stanford and Harvard have proven this approach works. I just needed to turn it into an app.
How It Works
Here's what I realized: people don't need another app telling them their failures. They need a tool that helps them in the moment when the unwanted behavior could be triggered.
So I made it extremely simple:
Open the app when you're about to enter a triggering situation
Pick what you want to avoid
Choose how long you'll be in that situation
Start the session
Break FREE from unwanted behaviors
That's it. No complicated setup, no streak tracking, no social sharing, no gamification gimmicks. Just a private reminder system that helps you stay conscious of your choices.
Making It Discreet and Private
The magic is in the haptic vibrations, those subtle taps you feel on your Apple Watch that nobody else notices. It's completely private and discreet. And if you don't have an Apple Watch? Your iPhone works just as well. Put it in your pocket or purse, and you'll feel the gentle vibrations reminding you of your intentions.
There were tons of technical challenges to overcome, including iPhone to Apple Watch synchronization, how strong the haptic vibration needs to be in the Apple Watch versus the iPhone, how often we trigger the vibration to be understood and not obnoxious, and how we ensure that the Apple Watch battery does not get drained by the vibrations. Vitalii and I (we have been working together for many years now) collaborated and iterated until we created an iPhone app and Apple Watch app that work perfectly together. The result is a seamless experience that helps you stay aware without anyone else knowing.
A thoughtful touch: the haptic vibration pattern is actually the word "NO" in Morse code (dash-dot, dash-dash-dash). So your device is literally tapping "NO" on your wrist or in your pocket. A detail that makes me smile every time I feel it.
Why This Matters to Me
Look, I've built many apps over the years; Wise Camera, Wise Photos, and many more focused on photographers, artists, and designers. Those are great creative tools. But building something that might help someone avoid a behavior they'll regret? That feels different.
I'm not a therapist or a doctor, and I make that very clear in the app. If someone's dealing with serious health or addiction issues, they need professional help, not an app.
But for those everyday moments, the stress eating during meetings, the endless iPhone scrolling when you should be present with family, the impulse shopping, the "just one more glass," this can help. When it makes you pause and think for a second, that's often enough.
What's Free and What You Get With Full Access
I made the 5-minute sessions completely free, with unlimited use. No daily restrictions, no ads, nothing. If you just need a quick reminder during a short situation, it's yours.
For longer durations (15 minutes to 1 hour), there's a one-time payment, no subscriptions, and you own the capability forever to have longer nudging sessions and get all updates for free. There are also subscription plans for those who want them, but who wants subscriptions anymore? Just pay once and own it forever!
A Thank You to Early Users
To the few people who've already downloaded it and sent feedback—thank you. One person said they used it to avoid checking their ex's Instagram during a weak moment. Another used it to stop nail-biting during a presentation. This is exactly what I hoped for.
Try It
If you struggle with any behavior that's triggered by specific situations, or if you've ever wished you had just a little more self-control in certain moments, give it a shot. It's free to try.
That's it. That's the story. Thanks for reading, and thanks for supporting independent app development.
Break FREE from unwanted behaviors
P.S. - If you have feedback, I want to hear it. Email me to support@digiguys.com
References
¹ Klasnja, P., et al. (2015). "Microrandomized trials: An experimental design for developing just-in-time adaptive interventions." Health Psychology, 34(S), 1220.
² Fogg, B.J. (2019). "Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything." Stanford Behavior Design Lab.
³ Schacter, D.L., et al. (2017). "The Future of Memory: Remembering, Imagining, and the Brain." Harvard University Press.