Can Memory Apps Replace Your Planner? Liam's 30-Day Moadly Experiment

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m in my second year studying History in London. Most of my time is spent buried in primary sources or writing long-form essays. Between the degree, rowing practice, and working shifts at a pub in Camden, my brain is usually fried by the evening.

I’ve always been "the calendar guy", if something wasn’t synced to my phone with three different alerts, it didn't exist. I was genuinely worried that I couldn't remember a simple Tuesday schedule without staring at a screen.

What made you look for a brain training app?

It was a specific moment during a Tudor History seminar. My tutor asked about a date in a text we’d all read twice. I knew the information was there, I could see the page in my head, but the actual numbers were blurry.

I felt like an idiot. It hit me that I was outsourcing my entire memory to my iPhone. I wanted to see if I could sharpen the actual hardware of my brain rather than just leaning on external software to keep my life together.

Have you used other memory training apps?

I’ve tried the big ones like Lumosity and Elevate. To be honest, they felt like chores. They have this "corporate wellness" vibe that doesn't really appeal to me. They track "brain points," but I never felt that translated into actually remembering where I needed to be.

They felt like mobile games designed to keep you clicking, not tools to make you sharper. I wanted something that felt more like a mental gym and less like a candy-crushing clone.

How long have you used Moadly for?

I’ve been at it for 70 days now. I’ve logged in every day since the start of January 2026.

What’s your favorite game type?

I’m big on Pattern Trace and Dance Floor. They’re straightforward but they force you to hold a sequence in your head while your brain is trying to move on to the next thing. I also use Quick Math and Add Sprint for a bit of a wake-up call in the mornings. 

How many minutes a day are you actually active on the app?

I do about 12 to 15 minutes. Usually, it’s during my commute on the Tube. It’s perfect "dead time." I’ve found that if I go over 20 minutes, my scores start to dip because of mental fatigue, so I keep it short and intense. It’s about the quality of the effort, not how long you can scroll through the menu.

If the app crashed and deleted your progress today, would you start over or just move on?

I’d be annoyed about the streak, but I’d start over. The value isn't in the level I’ve reached; it’s in the fact that I don't feel like a zombie when I walk into a lecture anymore. The progress is in my head, not a database. If Moadly disappeared, I’d be looking for the closest thing to it immediately.

How do you know that "improvement" isn't just you getting better at the specific games?

That’s the real question, isn’t it? I knew it was working when I stopped checking my phone to see which room my 2:00 PM seminar was in. I just knew. Then I realized I was recalling dates for my historiography essay without looking at my notes. I’m not just better at Pattern Trace; I’m better at holding onto data in my actual life. That’s not a placebo effect.

Do you use the app because it’s effective, or just because it’s a habit?

It started as a "must-do," but now it’s just part of the day. It’s a habit because I like the feeling of my brain being "switched on" before I even get to campus. It’s like a morning coffee for your recall. If it stopped being effective, I’d drop it. I don't have time for habits that don't yield a result.

If we removed the "fun" elements, would the core training actually be worth doing?

Probably, but it would be a slog. The "fun" is just the hook that gets you to do the work when you’re tired. But if you stripped away the dice and the colors and just left the raw recall tasks, I’d still do it for the academic edge. In History, your memory is your career. If this gives me a 10% boost over my peers, it’s worth the effort.

Have you noticed any improvements?

Definitely. The biggest change is what I call the Digital Planner Replacement. I used to be terrified of forgetting an appointment. Now, I have a mental map of my week that feels solid. I can recall specific dates of 14th-century plague outbreaks from last week's reading without blinking. That’s a massive win for my degree.

What’s the one thing you’d change?

I’d like more "Stress Mode" options. Real life is loud. I’d love a mode that throws distractions at you while you’re trying to use Order Numbers or Shikaku. Training in a quiet room is one thing; staying sharp on a crowded bus is the real test.

How did you find out about Moadly?

Found a thread on Reddit about "active recall tools for students." Someone mentioned Moadly was doing an exploratory study and wasn't as "salesy" as other apps. I liked that you were honest about the science being ongoing. It felt more authentic than apps claiming to turn you into a genius overnight.

Something you want to say to the other users?

Stop worrying about high scores. Focus on the feeling of the "strain." If a game type feels easy, you aren't learning anything. The moment you want to quit because it’s hard is exactly when you’re making progress.

Also, try ditching your planner for one day a week. Trust your brain, it’s capable of more than you think when you stop babying it with notifications.