How to Block Websites and Set Scheduled Access on Your Mac

Effectively managing your digital environment and controlling access to distracting websites when using your Mac is essential to boosting productivity and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. With 1Focus, the best Mac website blocker, you can easily manage digital distractions by blocking distracting apps and websites when you need to concentrate.

This guide, specifically designed for Mac users, covers essential features such as adding website exceptions to your block lists, enabling temporary pauses of the block sessions, scheduling limited daily access to distracting content, and setting up focused block sessions with 1Focus.

Whether you’re a professional, a student, or just someone who wants to better manage your time on the Mac, this guide is your productivity solution. Follow the steps below to customize your digital experience, maximize focus, and boost your overall work efficiency using 1Focus.

Add Website Exceptions to Your Block Lists

If you want to permanently block distracting websites on your Mac but still require access to certain useful sites, you can add them to your exceptions list. This step is perfect for managing website access while working on important tasks.

Follow this guide to learn how to add website exceptions to your block lists in 1Focus: Add website exceptions

Enable Pausing for Temporary Website Access

Sometimes, during unexpected situations or emergencies, you need temporary access to blocked content on your Mac. With 1Focus, you can enable the pausing feature to temporarily disable the blocker. This ensures that even while your focus is on productivity, you can regain access during urgent tasks, without losing track of your time.

Learn how to enable pausing here: Enable pausing

Schedule Limited Access to Distracting Websites and Apps

Streamline your schedule and manage your productivity by scheduling limited daily access to distracting websites and apps on your Mac. This feature allows you to plan your breaks and stay focused on your work without fully disconnecting from online resources.

Learn how to set up scheduled access here: Schedule daily access

Schedule Focused Block Sessions During Working Hours

Maximize your productivity by scheduling block sessions during your work hours. By automatically blocking distracting websites and apps on your Mac when you need to concentrate the most, you can maintain focus and enhance your time-management skills.

Learn how to set up recurring block sessions during working hours here: How to schedule blocking events in 1Focus during working hours

Schedule Temporary Block Sessions on Your Mac

When you need to concentrate on a specific project or study session, you can schedule temporary block sessions to prevent distractions. This feature works perfectly for implementing productivity methods such as the Pomodoro Technique. Whether you’re studying, working on a project, or simply need an intensive focus period, temporary block sessions help maintain concentration without a long-term block commitment.

Learn how to set up temporary block sessions here: How to temporarily block websites and applications

Remember that one-time blocking events automatically disappear after they expire. If you prefer recurring blocks for particular days of the week, see How to block websites and apps based on a schedule.

Advanced Features for Improved Website Blocking

Block websites by category.
Create your allowlist (whitelist).
Block keywords in website URLs.
Copy and paste website lists.
Schedule multiple block lists for different purposes.
Prevent bypassing blocks.

For more detailed instructions on setting up 1Focus as your Mac website blocker, visit our Support Page.

Troubleshooting

General Tips

You can only modify your settings when blocking is inactive.
Block durations longer than 6 hours require 1Focus Pro.
Apps that could be used to circumvent blocking like Activity Monitor will continue being blocked during pauses.

Time Format for Mac Blocking Sessions

1Focus adapts to the time format set in your Mac system settings. If your computer uses the 12-hour format, you’ll see “AM” or “PM” next to the start and end times in your blocking event. If it’s set to the 24-hour format, these indicators won’t appear, allowing you to schedule events from 00:00 to 23:59. This flexibility ensures you can organize your blocks in your preferred format, helping prevent confusion when setting start and end times.

Browser and App Compatibility for Your Mac

Use a supported web browser on your Mac. 1Focus is compatible with Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, and Arc. It can even block unsupported browsers via 1Focus → Apps.
Grant permission so that 1Focus can block distracting websites.
Ensure 1Focus starts automatically at login.

Resolving Common Issues With Your Mac Website Blocker

Restart your Mac.
If problems persist, uninstall 1Focus, permanently delete it from the Trash (important), and reinstall it from the Mac App Store. Your data remains intact through this process.
Fix Unexpected Blocking.
Fix 1Focus Closing Randomly.
Change Language

For additional assistance, please contact support.