Replace dual tracking with Accessibility-Only approach

[akaMrNagar]

We're transitioning from the current dual-tracking system (Usage Stats + Accessibility) to a more reliable and efficient Accessibility Service-only setup for tracking app usage and enforcing restrictions.

🧩 Problem with Current Implementation

At present, Mindful uses both Usage Stats and Accessibility Service to track app usage and apply restrictions. This results in a lot of redundant and boilerplate code.

However, there are a few critical issues:

• Inconsistent behavior on custom ROMs: For example, on some Samsung devices, Usage Stats fails to detect the active app.
• Foreground service limitations: Foreground services require an ongoing notification. If the user revokes notification permission, the system may kill the service - breaking usage tracking.
• Notification Permission Requirement: Due to Android’s restrictions, Mindful is forced to request notification permission just to keep its tracking service alive - not ideal for user experience.

✨ The New Approach

We’re switching to an Accessibility Service-only model to simplify and strengthen the tracking

• No need for a persistent notification - so no more dependency on notification permission.
• Better service persistence - Accessibility services are managed by the system and are less likely to be killed, even on custom ROMs.
• Improved tamper protection - Even if users disable overlay permissions, Mindful can still take users to the home screen when they try to open blocked content.
• Modern and modular - This approach is now standard among many apps with similar functionality.

Overall, this results in a more reliable, robust, and maintainable tracking mechanism.

⚠️ Caveats

• This is a significant shift and will likely introduce bugs and edge cases in the beginning.
• It will require time for debugging and stabilization - I’ll release this in beta first.
• Once fully tested and stable, we’ll roll it out to production.
• Accessibility permission will now be required during onboarding - it will no longer be optional.

Your support during this transition will be crucial ❤️
I’m working on Mindful alongside a full-time job and other responsibilities, so progress may be slower than usual. I’ll try to squeeze in as much time as possible during weekdays and weekends - thank you in advance for your patience and understanding

📌 Tasks

• Implement the new Accessibility Service
• Detect active app accurately
• Enforce app usage restrictions
• Enforce focus mode
• Enforce bedtime restrictions
• Enforce short-form content restrictions (YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, etc.)
• Enforce web content restrictions (may include new time-based rules)
• Implement new database tables schema
• Design UI for new features
• Test manually
• Release BETA for mass testing
• Release in Production

✨ New Features

• Separate restrictions for each days
• Multiple schedules in a day
• Session and cool-down for each day
• Same restrictions and grouping on web too.
• Keywords blocking (web)
• Bulk websites and keywords import
• Custom day start or restriction reset time (default 12 midnight)
• and much more related to restrictions and wellbeing

😶‍🌫️ Sneak peak

Last updated : 13 Dec, 2025

Expected alpha : End of Dec 2025 or Mid Jan 2026