SidestepSLEN

Help

Updated 30 October 2026

Can’t find an answer? Write to hello@sidestep.page. We reply within a few days.

How to start

  1. Open Sidestep and answer a few questions. Choose your apps: Instagram, YouTube and, if you want, TikTok. An account is optional.
  2. Tap an app and sign in on its own site, just like in Safari. Sidestep never sees your passwords.
  3. Set a daily limit and choose whether you want strict mode.

To get back to Sidestep, swipe down with two fingers.

Frequently asked questions

Can Sidestep see my passwords?

No. You sign in to Instagram and YouTube yourself, on their official pages, just like in Safari. Sidestep never sees or stores your passwords.

Can Instagram close my account because of this?

To Instagram, Sidestep behaves like a normal browser. It doesn’t hide ads or change your account, it just doesn’t show Reels, Explore and suggestions.

Where does my data go?

Your stats and settings are on your phone. You only need an account so you don’t lose them when you switch phones. More in the privacy policy.

Is Sidestep free?

Yes. All features are free for now. If you join now, you’ll get a gift when Sidestep Pro arrives.

Does it work with TikTok?

Yes, if you want. Turn on TikTok in Settings › Apps. It opens in your messages only: you can watch a video a friend sends you, there’s no feed.

Does it work on Android?

Not yet, only on iPhone. If you want it on Android, write to us at hello@sidestep.page.

Something on Instagram, YouTube or TikTok doesn’t work

Sidestep opens the websites of these services, so shopping and live streams may not work. When a service changes its site, something may break for a while. Write to us about what happened, ideally with a screenshot.

Strict mode

Sidestep always removes Reels and Shorts and counts your time. If you turn on strict mode (Settings › Mode), you choose the apps and a limit for each. Once you’ve used it up, the app locks until midnight. Without strict mode, your limit only counts time. Work works in both modes.

Turning it off: tap the switch and you can turn it off 24 hours later (you can cancel the request). If a friend has the code, they can turn it off right away.

Friend’s code

When you turn on strict mode, a friend can enter a code (optional). Without it you can’t raise a limit; with it, your friend can turn strict mode off right away. You can only set it when you turn strict mode on, not later, and it’s deleted when strict mode is turned off. It’s stored only on your phone, so we can’t see it.

Can’t reach your friend? Tap the Strict mode switch and choose Turn off in 24 hours. The wait is on purpose, so strict mode still protects you from a quick decision.

Deleting your account and data

Your account and data on the server are deleted in the app:

  1. Open Sidestep and go to Settings › Account.
  2. Tap Delete account and confirm.

Your account, and the settings and stats saved in it, are deleted immediately and can’t be restored.

Data on your phone is deleted under Settings › Data › Delete all data. There you can also sign out of all apps.

If you no longer have the app, write from the address you used to create your account to zasebnost@sidestep.page. We’ll delete your account within 30 days.