Hands Off

About Hands Off

Tired of the same old failed hacks to stop biting your nails? Bitter polish tastes nasty, fidget toys get lost, and habit trackers just remind you of your failures. The brutal truth is, you can't stop a habit you don't even notice you're doing. That's where Hands Off comes in—your digital guardian that finally cracks the code on unconscious nail biting, skin picking, and hair pulling. This ain't your grandma's self-help guide; it's a sleek desktop app powered by real-time AI that acts like a sixth sense. It silently monitors your webcam while you work, game, or doomscroll, and the nanosecond your hand drifts toward your face for a bite or a pick, BAM—it hits you with an instant, undeniable screen interruption. No willpower needed, no manual logging. It catches you in the act and breaks the cycle before the damage is done. Built for the anxious, the focused, the bored, and anyone whose fingers are their own worst enemy, Hands Off offers a private, proactive path to retrain your brain and finally take control. Your hands are about to be off-limits.

Features of Hands Off

Real-Time AI Habit Detection

This is the core magic. Hands Off uses advanced, on-device AI that acts like a 24/7 watchdog for your hands. It doesn't just take periodic snapshots; it analyzes live webcam footage in real-time, specifically trained to recognize the subtle movements that lead to nail biting, skin picking, and other Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). The moment the algorithm spots the signature gesture, it triggers an intervention instantly, stopping the habit in its tracks before you even consciously register you're doing it.

Instant, Unignorable Intervention

Forget gentle reminders. When Hands Off detects a habit, it doesn't whisper—it shouts. The app fires up a full-screen pop-up or overlay that immediately disrupts your flow. This jarring break in your concentration is scientifically key. It creates a powerful, negative feedback loop in the moment of the action, helping to sever the unconscious link between your trigger (stress, boredom) and the physical habit. It's the digital equivalent of a friend slapping your hand away, but available 24/7.

Multi-Habit Support & Customization

Nail biting isn't your only vice? We get it. Hands Off is your one-stop shop for common BFRBs. The app supports detection and tracking for five major habits: nail biting, skin picking, eyebrow/eyelash pulling, nose picking, and ear picking. Dive into the settings to customize which habits you want the AI to monitor, tailoring the guardrails to your personal struggles. You're in full control of what behaviors get flagged.

Local-Only, Privacy-First Processing

Your privacy is non-negotiable. All the heavy AI lifting happens locally on your Mac or Windows computer. The video feed from your webcam is processed in real-time and is immediately discarded—it is never recorded, saved, or sent to any cloud server. No creepy data collection, no third-party sharing. Your journey to better habits is 100% your business, with full GDPR compliance baked in from the ground up.

Use Cases of Hands Off

The Unconscious Nail Biter During Deep Work

You're in the zone, coding, writing, or crushing a spreadsheet. Your focus is laser-sharp on the screen, but your hands have a mind of their own, drifting to your mouth for a destructive chew session. You only realize it when you feel the sting or see the damage. Hands Off runs silently in the background, monitoring those focused-time lapses. It interrupts the bite at the source, training your brain to stay aware even when your conscious mind is elsewhere.

The Stress or Anxiety-Driven Picker

When deadlines loom or anxiety spikes, your fingers instinctively seek out imperfections on your skin, scalp, or nails. It's a compulsive coping mechanism that leaves physical marks and fuels more stress. Hands Off acts as an external circuit breaker for this cycle. The instant interruption provides a crucial moment of awareness, helping you recognize the stress trigger and choose a different, healthier response instead of automatic picking.

The Boredom Habit Breaker on Endless Calls

Stuck in another marathon Zoom meeting or binge-watching a series? Boredom is a major trigger for mindless nail biting and hair twirling/pulling. You zone out and your hands go on autopilot. Hands Off stays vigilant even when your brain checks out. The pop-up alert snaps you back to the present, making you consciously aware of the idle habit and giving you a chance to redirect that nervous energy to a fidget toy or simply keep your hands in your lap.

The Privacy-Conscious Individual Seeking Discreet Help

You want to break your habits but the idea of an app recording you or sending your data to who-knows-where is a dealbreaker. Hands Off is built for you. With its strict local-only processing policy, you get all the benefits of AI-powered habit interruption with zero privacy trade-offs. You can work on self-improvement without ever worrying about your webcam data being stored, leaked, or misused.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Hands Off protect my privacy?

Hands Off is architected from the ground up for total privacy. All AI processing happens locally on your computer—the video data from your webcam is analyzed in real-time and then immediately discarded. Nothing is ever recorded, saved, or transmitted to the internet. We don't collect app usage analytics, personal data, or any information about your habits. Your journey stays 100% on your device.

What habits can Hands Off help me stop?

Hands Off is designed to tackle common Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). Currently, it supports detection and interruption for five key habits: nail biting, skin picking (dermatillomania), eyebrow or eyelash pulling (trichotillomania), nose picking, and ear picking. You can customize which of these the app monitors in the settings to match your personal goals.

Will the app work if I don't have my webcam on?

The AI detection requires access to your webcam to monitor your hand movements. The app is designed to run seamlessly in the background, using your camera only for real-time analysis. If your webcam is physically covered or disabled, the detection feature cannot function. The app is intended for use during computer sessions where breaking screen-focused habits is the goal.

Is there a free trial available?

Absolutely. You can take Hands Off for a full test drive with a 3-day free trial. This gives you complete access to all features—real-time AI detection, instant interruptions, multi-habit support, and progress tracking—with no credit card required upfront. After the trial, continued access is a simple monthly subscription, which you can cancel anytime.

Pricing of Hands Off

Start with a full-featured 3-day free trial to experience the interruption technology firsthand. After your trial, continue your habit-breaking journey for €2.99 per month. This affordable subscription grants you unlimited access to all AI detection features, multi-habit support, and privacy-focused monitoring. Cancel your subscription anytime directly from your account settings—no long-term commitments, no hidden fees.