A frustrated Instagram user built Dull, an iOS browser that strips addictive short-form content from social platforms. After repeatedly deleting and redownloading apps to escape endless scrolling, the developer created a tool that filters out Reels, Shorts, and algorithmic feeds while preserving DMs and subscriptions. The app uses CSS injection and MutationObserver to handle dynamically loaded content across Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X.

Dull distinguishes itself from wellness apps by focusing solely on content filtering without guilt mechanics or parental controls. The on-device filtering requires no accounts or servers, with options including grayscale mode, time limits, and usage tracking. Maintaining the filters remains an ongoing challenge as platforms constantly change their DOM structures and obfuscate class names, creating a continuous cat-and-mouse game between developers and social media giants.

The app offers a 3-day free trial before requiring subscription: monthly at $3.99, yearly at $14.99, or lifetime for $59.99. Rather than positioning itself as a solution for digital wellbeing, Dull presents itself as a browser with strong opinions about what users don't need, providing tools to reclaim control over social media consumption without intervention or judgment.