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Schedule Blocking

1Focus is an app and website blocker for Mac designed to help you eliminate online distractions. By using 1Focus, you can significantly reduce your exposure to unwanted content and maintain a healthy balance in your digital life.

With 1Focus, you can block platforms like YouTube, adult sites, social media, Netflix, and more. It allows you to block unlimited websites across various browsers, including Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, and Arc.

Here, you’ll discover how to schedule and activate blocking when you block a website or block an app with 1Focus.

How to Schedule Your Block Sessions in 1Focus

Learn how to effectively block websites and apps temporarily, permanently, and on a schedule. To schedule multiple block lists, simply add or duplicate as many presets as needed. You can also copy and paste your website lists for similar presets.

How to Block Websites and Apps Temporarily

Here’s how to block websites and apps quickly and easily:

Steps (3 Minutes):

  1. Open 1Focus. If you do not have it yet, download 1Focus on the Mac App Store. You can reopen the 1Focus window by clicking its arrow icon in the top right of your screen. 1Focus menu bar item
  2. Create or select a preset.
  3. Select the app and/or website to block.
  4. Click the tab Schedule. Start blocking in 1Focus
  5. Enter the duration of the block under Quick Start. If this is your first time using 1Focus, we recommend doing a test block with a duration of 0 hours and 5 minutes.
  6. Click Start Blocking.
  7. Try visiting a website that you’ve added to your “blocked websites” list. All sites on this list should be blocked. When a site is blocked by 1Focus, you’ll see the 1Focus arrow icon along with a motivational quote. Before confirming, test your settings and make any necessary adjustments. When asked for permission, click “OK.” Grant 1Focus permission to block websites
  8. Close the 1Focus window to prevent bypassing blocking. A warning will appear. Read it carefully before confirming.

Please note that this is a one-time event, and the block will stop after the designated time. If you wish to schedule recurring events, refer to How to Block Websites and Apps Based on a Schedule.

If you encounter any problems, see troubleshooting.

How to Block Websites and Apps Permanently

To block websites and apps permanently, the end time in Schedule should be set before the start time. This means the block will continue into the next day. There is always at least a 1 minute gap during which you can cancel blocking.

Steps (5 Minutes):

  1. Subscribe to 1Focus Pro.
  2. Open 1Focus. You can reopen the 1Focus window by clicking its arrow icon in the top right of your screen. 1Focus menu bar item
  3. Create or select a preset.
  4. Select the app and/or website to block.
  5. Click the tab Schedule. Block permanently
  6. Click the + button under Schedule.
  7. Change Start to 08:01 (AM) and End to 08:00 (AM).
  8. Set Repeat to Daily.
  9. Test your settings and adjust them if necessary before confirming. For example, try to access a site that you previously added to your “blocked websites” list. Every site on that list should be blocked. When prompted for permission, click OK. Grant 1Focus permission to block websites
  10. To prevent bypassing blocking, close the 1Focus window using the red button in the top left. A warning will appear. Read it carefully before confirming.

To cancel blocking, delete the event in the schedule using the minus button during the 1 minute gap between 8 AM and 8:01 AM.

If you encounter any problems, see troubleshooting.

How to Block Websites and Apps Based on a Schedule

Here’s how to block websites and apps from Monday to Friday, between 9 AM and 5 PM. You can adjust the schedule to suit your needs.

Steps (5 Minutes):

  1. Subscribe to 1Focus Pro.
  2. Open 1Focus. You can reopen the 1Focus window by clicking its arrow icon in the top right of your screen. 1Focus menu bar item
  3. Create or select a preset.
  4. Select the app and/or website to block.
  5. Click the tab Schedule. Block based on schedule
  6. Click the + button under Schedule.
  7. Change Start to 9 AM (09:00) and End to 5 PM (17:00).
  8. Set Repeat to Mo-Fr.
  9. Test your settings and adjust them if necessary before confirming. For example, try to access a site that you previously added to your “blocked websites” list. Every site on that list should be blocked. When prompted for permission, click OK. Grant 1Focus permission to block websites
  10. To prevent bypassing blocking, close the 1Focus window using the red button in the top left. A warning will appear. Read it carefully before confirming.

To cancel blocking, delete the event in the schedule when it is inactive.

If you encounter any problems, see troubleshooting.

How to Modify a Blocking Event

  1. Select a preset.
  2. Click the tab Schedule.
  3. Wait until the blocking event is inactive (no green status indicator).
  4. Change the Start Time, End Time, and Frequency of the block.
  5. Press Enter (⏎) to confirm.
  6. Close the 1Focus window.
  7. Done!

Remember, each preset has its own block list and schedule. The settings you see on the right (Websites, Apps, Schedule) belong to the preset selected on the left.

How to Delete a Blocking Event

  1. Wait until the blocking event in the 1Focus schedule is inactive (no green status indicator).
  2. Click the event you want to delete.
  3. Click the Minus (-) button under Schedule.
  4. Done!

Events can only be deleted when they are inactive, or before you confirm the block by closing the 1Focus window.

Once you confirm the block by closing the 1Focus window (click the red button in the top left), 1Focus will automatically prevent you from modifying your settings while blocking is active.

Troubleshooting

For help, contact support.

Further Reading

For more detailed instructions on setting up 1Focus, visit our Support Page.

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