BePresent: Screen Time Control v0.18.79 resolves critical billing and stability flaws, rating jumps 1.79 stars in May 2026

The official App Store release notes for version 0.18.79 were minimal, stating only, "We made improvements and squashed bugs to make BePresent better for you." However, evidence suggests this was a targeted maintenance release. A developer responseGlossaryReview Response StrategyThe practice of systematically responding to app store reviews — particularly negative ones — to recover the original rating, retain the user, and signal active deve... to an App Store review confirmed the update's purpose, noting, "We recently released an update that has resolved this problem for many users" in reference to inaccurate time tracking. This confirms the update's focus was on rectifying core functionality rather than introducing new features.

Prior to v0.18.79, BePresent was hampered by severe issues that undermined user trust. The most serious complaints concerned billing practices. A 1-star review of version 0.18.78 warned, "Beware of “free” trail — Cancelled app well within free trialGlossaryFree TrialA subscription introductory offer that grants the user free access for a fixed window (typically 3, 7, or 14 days) before automatic conversion to the paid period. period. Vendor billed me directly outside of App Store for a full year." This was not an isolated incident. Beyond billing, users described the app as a "Great idea but glitchy," with unstable performance.

Users on Trustpilot also reported being charged after being unable to cancel trials.

The release of version 0.18.79 produced a stark turnaround in user feedback. The app's average ratingGlossaryStar RatingThe 1-5 star average users give your app on the App Sto^[2]re and Google Play — a primary ranking signal and one of the biggest conversion drivers on your product page. climbed from 3.0 to 4.79 stars, based on a growth from 34 to 281 reviews. Where pre-update reviews warned of glitches, post-update sentiment is overwhelmingly positive. One 5-star reviewer on the new version stated, "This has kept me off my phone more than the screen time settings. love the design." Another user praised the app for fostering mindfulness: "This app is helping me become more intentionally aware. I really appreciate the inside tips of the day too," highlighting a feature whose value, analysis shows, was previously obscured by the app's instability rather than being a new addition.

The decision to focus on stability appears to be a direct response to sustained complaints that threatened the app's reputation. With over 136,000 downloads in the last 30 days, BePresent has a significant user base that was at risk. By fixing fundamental billing and performance flaws, Screen Detox Inc. has successfully restored trust. This allows the app's intended value proposition—a gamified, thoughtful approach to reducing screen time—to function as designed. The positive reception to v0.18.79 suggests the app is now better positioned to compete with other digital wellness tools.