Prevent Bypassing Blocking

1Focus is a powerful app and website blocker for Mac that helps you stay focused by blocking distracting apps and websites.

This guide shows you how to prevent blocks from being bypassed so that 1Focus remains effective as your Mac productivity and distraction blocking tool.

Prevent the Deletion of Blocks

❗️Close the 1Focus window to prevent the deletion of active blocks.

You can still delete blocks that are not active yet.

Prevent Uninstallation

1Focus automatically prevents you from moving it to the Trash while blocking is active.

If you use Launchpad and can uninstall 1Focus, please update your Mac to macOS Tahoe.

If you do not want to update, or if you are still able to uninstall 1Focus while a block is active after the update, please contact us, and we will help.

Prevent Force Quit and More

Here is how to prevent force quitting 1Focus and other common ways to bypass an app and website blocker on Mac:

1. Open 1Focus.
2. Create or select a preset.
3. Select the tab Apps in 1Focus.
4. Select “Block these apps”.
5. Click the + button under Apps. A dialog will appear.
6. Type Activity Monitor in the search field 🔍 in the top right.
7. Select Activity Monitor and click Open.
8. Repeat this for the apps Terminal, System Settings (previously System Preferences).
9. Click the tab Schedule, and enable blocking.
10. Confirm the block by closing the 1Focus window.

Prevent Use of Unsupported Web Browsers

You can also block unsupported web browsers like Firefox as described before. 1Focus can block websites across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, and Arc. See Supported web browsers.

Keep in Mind ❗️

Website blocking and app blocking are separate

• If you add a website under “Blocked Websites,” 1Focus blocks that site across supported browsers.
• If you add a browser (for example, Safari or Google Chrome) under “Apps,” 1Focus blocks the entire browser (not just one website).

So remember:

• To block specific websites, add them under “Websites.”
• To block an unsupported browser, add that browser under “Apps.”

Prevent Use of Newly Installed Applications

You can prevent the use of newly installed applications and unsupported web browsers as follows.

Note: For this feature, you need 1Focus Pro, an optional subscription. Wondering why 1Focus uses a subscription model? Learn more here.

Steps:

1. Subscribe to 1Focus Pro.
2. Select 1Focus → Apps → Block all apps except these. If the option is grayed out, it means that either blocking is active (in which case, wait for it to end) or you do not have 1Focus Pro.
3. Click the + button below the list. A dialog will appear.
4. Type “app” in the search field in the top right.
5. Select all apps. One way to do this is to select some app and press Command + A.
6. Click Open.
7. Remove the apps that should be blocked and leave only useful apps in your Allowlist.
8. Click the tab Schedule, and enable blocking.

Done! Newly installed apps will now be blocked by default. This helps prevent the use of unsupported browsers as a way to bypass the block.

Keep in Mind ❗️

All newly installed apps will be blocked.

Following these steps will also prevent you from using any other new apps.

This is useful if you want to prevent the installation of, for example, distracting apps like social media or games. However, if you find yourself wanting to install a useful app for your studies or work, you will need to wait for the block to end.

Once the block session is inactive, you can adjust your settings as needed.

The next time the block is inactive, add the useful apps you need for work to the app exceptions under “Block all apps except these”.

Use a Non-Administrator Account

You can make bypassing 1Focus more difficult by using a non-administrator account.

Steps:

1. Create a new user Admin under System Settings → Users & Groups → Add Account. Be sure to enable Allow this user to administer this computer. Keep the password safe. You will need it occasionally for system changes.
2. Log into the new account Admin.
3. Remove Allow this user to administer this computer from your other account under System Settings → Users & Groups → Info icon next to your account.
4. Still under the account Admin, move 1Focus to the Trash, delete it from the Trash and reinstall it from the Mac App Store. Now it’s owned by Admin.
5. Log into your other account.
6. Enable System Settings → Privacy & Security → Advanced → Require an administrator password to access system-wide settings.

You could use a long administrator password that is inconvenient to type. Or you could have an accountability partner keep a part of the password. That way they don’t have access to your computer but you need them to make system changes.

Tip: Apps outside the App Store often prompt for the administrator password for app updates, which can be a little annoying. You can fix this by moving them from the system applications folder (Finder → Applications) to your user applications folder (Finder → Your Name → Applications).

Use Parental Control

If you are using 1Focus to protect your child and block distracting or adult websites, consider switching to Parental Control. It is derived from 1Focus and is specifically designed for parenting rather than personal productivity. Importantly, it features password protection.

With the password, you can make changes at any time. Without it, your children will be unable to alter any settings or bypass the blocking.

For help, contact us.

Further Reading

• Block XXX: Learn how to block XXX content on your Mac. Understand what XXX content is, why it can be problematic, and how to effectively block it using 1Focus and other methods.

• How to block a website category: Discover how to block categories like pornography, social media, games, and more with a simple checkmark.

• Fix unexpected blocking: Learn how to fix unexpected website or app blocking while using 1Focus.

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