Launched in July 2026, the feature forces users to prioritize physical activity over endless scrolling. Once a user reaches their self-selected step count, the restricted apps automatically unlock, with the cycle resetting at midnight. The mechanism reflects a growing market desire to decouple screen time from daily habits, a trend CEO Yves Benchimol says sits at the core of the app’s recent success.
WeWard’s Walking Mode Secures Spot on TIME’s Best Inventions List
Locked behind a daily step goal, social media and gaming apps on a user’s phone remain inaccessible until they hit their movement target. This aggressive approach to digital wellness, known as Walking Mode, earned the WeWard app a place on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list this week.
WeWard, which counts Venus Williams among its backers, has scaled to over 30 million users globally by gamifying exercise. The platform incentivizes movement through cash rewards, charity donations, and retail gifts, reporting that it has already distributed $50 million in payouts. As the company crosses the 5 million user mark in the United States, this latest recognition from TIME validates a model that has successfully increased user walking time by nearly 25 percent. The feature is currently exclusive to iOS, with an Android rollout expected in the near future.
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