Screen time 'Focus Mode'

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Screen time 'Focus Mode'

It would be great if Apple could introduce a 'focus mode' where you could block off all apps with selected exceptions for a set period of time, like 1 hour, which could not be turned off until the time was up. I.e. I could turn my MacBook into a pure word processor, allowing only Word, for 1 hour, avoiding all possibility of distraction. There would be no option do undo until the time was up (could make it max 3 hours, or something).

It makes such a difference knowing that there is no option to get distracted. Helps with focus and productivity so much. Just knowing there is an option to click on something else (open Safari, etc.) often opens the door to distraction.

Does anyone know of a way do to this with current Apple products?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 18, 2020 2:30 PM

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Answer 1

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jackmcbryde Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 21, 2020 7:25 AM in response to Seannelson012

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have done this. The one flaw is that it's possible to reverse. So it works for a while, but at some point it's so easy to just switch it off and get distracted.

There is something about having no possible option of getting distracted that changes the mentality. It's like being alone in a cabin in the woods with a book: you are going to read the book. But if you are there with a book and a phone, at some point you are going to pick up the phone and get sucked in. Bascially, I'd just love an option of turning my mac into a 'dumb' word processor, even for a few hours, with no option to cancel.

Perhaps in future they will do this...

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Answer 2

Aug 18, 2020 2:37 PM in response to jackmcbryde

Hi, hope you are well!

The only way I could think of doing this on a MacBook is heading to System Preferences, Screen Time and then press down time. Set the time that you want to focus on something (so for example you want to get some work done between 5 O'clock and 6 O'clock set down time for between 5 and 6) once you've done that, press "always allowed" and then select the application such as "word" and then the only thing you'll be able to use during 5 and 6 would be "word" as everything on your computer would be blocked due to downtime, but your computer will allow word because you've set it as an exception to be allowed all the time through always allowed. This is a theory, I haven't personally tried it it just makes sense!

Hope this helps, Any question please don't hesitate to ask!

Stay Safe!

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Screen time 'Focus Mode'

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