This Independent Game Simulates a Smartphone Experience

I often catch myself mindlessly flicking through apps as if I’m browsing shop windows—a digital diversion that feels oddly productive. There’s a quirky little site called IAIYWOYP that plays on this habit, simulating phone usage with unexpected prompts and activities.

Imagine pretending to be absorbed by your phone, and receiving random instructions: Open your eyes wide, then make a frown. It’s a peculiar game of reflex, where you tap circles as they appear, swipe on command, and are even nudged to wipe your screen occasionally.

Altogether, these actions craft a perfect distraction, enough to convince nearby diners that you’re engrossed in your gadget, not casually overhearing their conversations.

What’s fascinating—and perhaps a tad unsettling—is how oddly fulfilling this mimicry feels. I find myself enjoying the mechanical act of tapping a pink circle, or contemplatively placing my fingers against my lips. It’s like role-play, or maybe this simple interaction offers the same satisfaction I derive from my phone anyway. I admit I’m a bit of a compulsive phone user, though I don’t have much to show for it beyond my impressive tally of nearly 2,000 wins in Sawayama Solitaire.

If following the cues of a quirky phone game holds my attention as effectively as mindlessly scrolling through Bluesky, I can’t help but wonder—what am I really doing here?