Venus Williams-backed WeWard can now lock your apps until you hit your steps
- ID
- 3247
- Status
- summarized
- Published
- 08 Jul 2026, 9:00 PM
- Fetched
- 08 Jul 2026, 9:04 PM
- Provider
- TechCrunch
- Category
- technology
- Original URL
- https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/08/venus-williams-backed-weward-can-now-lock-your-apps-until-you-hit-your-steps/
- Source URL
- https://techcrunch.com/feed/
Summary
- Score
- 3.5
- Created
- 08 Jul 2026, 9:04 PM
- Tags
- Audience
- developerssaas_startup_founders
What happened
WeWard, a French walking-incentive app backed by tennis star Venus Williams, has introduced a feature that locks selected apps on your phone until you reach your daily step goal. The app claims it increases walking time by nearly 25%.
Why it matters
The app-locking mechanic is a notable example of behavioral design and gamification in consumer health tech. For builders, it highlights how platform APIs like iOS Screen Time and Android Digital Wellbeing can be leveraged for habit-forming product features, though the approach raises questions about user retention and friction.
Discussion angle
Is aggressive friction (locking apps) a sustainable retention strategy, or does it risk churn once novelty wears off — and what does this tell us about designing habit loops in consumer products?