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

In this guide, you’ll 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 is how to enable blocking for a few hours on your Mac. This can help you focus on a task.

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.
2. Create or select a preset.
3. Select the app and/or website to block.
4. Click the tab Schedule.
5. Enter the blocking duration under Schedule → Quick Start. For initial testing, we recommend a duration of 5 minutes.
6. Click Start Blocking.
7. Try to access a website that should be blocked. When prompted for permission, click OK.
8. 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.

Done! 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.
3. Create or select a preset.
4. Select the app and/or website to block.
5. Click the tab Schedule.
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. Try to access a website that should be blocked. When prompted for permission, click OK.
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.
3. Create or select a preset.
4. Select the app and/or website to block.
5. Click the tab 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. Try to access a website that should be blocked. When prompted for permission, click OK.
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.

Troubleshooting

• Block durations longer than 6 hours require 1Focus Pro.
• Use a supported web browser. 1Focus can block websites across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, and Arc. You can block unsupported browsers under 1Focus → Apps.
• Grant permission to block websites.
• Restart your computer.
• Uninstall 1Focus, permanently delete it from the Trash (important), and reinstall it from the Mac App Store. No data will be lost.
• Schedule multiple block lists.
• Optional: Prevent bypassing blocking.

For help, contact support.

Further Reading

• How to prevent bypassing blocking: Learn how to prevent blocks from being deleted. Prevent forced quit. Block unsupported web browsers.

• How to pause 1Focus: Learn how to pause the blocking of apps and websites in 1Focus for a limited time in case of an emergency.