Focus Firewall

Which browsers are supported by Focus Firewall?

Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox, Arc and Brave. Please let us know if you need support for a different browser and we'll add it in a heartbeat.

Does Focus Firewall need browser extensions?

No, Focus Firewall does not need any browser extensions. It works at the system level, blocking websites and apps regardless of the browser you use.

What happens when I visit a blocked website while Focus Firewall is active?

It looks like the internet is down just for that website.

What happens when I open a blocked app while Focus Firewall is active?

The app opens normally, but it will be blocked from accessing the internet, just like websites. Some apps may show an error message, while others just show a blank screen or a loading spinner. There are also apps that show no indication that they are offline (for example WhatsApp) since they still show your previous messages and you can still write new ones. However, messages will not be sent and you won't receive incoming messages.

Is there a way to bypass the block?

Yes, and that's by design. You can take a break by hitting the Pause button and picking a duration (1 minute, 15 minutes, etc). From the menu bar, you can temporarily turn off blocking for a category (for example, turn off Social Media) or turn off blocking entirely. You can also open the app and toggle blocking off just for the specific website or app you want, while the rest of the category stays blocked.

How to tell if the app is running?

You should see the app icon in the menu bar while it's running. When blocking is active, the app icon will have a small shield next to it.

How do I block a website?

To block a website, open Focus Firewall from the menu bar and click on a category that fits your website (for example News). Click on the + button on the bottom left of the list and enter a friendly name (for example The New York Times) and the domain (for example nytimes.com). After saving, the website will be added to the list of blocked websites, and you will not be able to access it while blocking is active and that category is blocked. Note: make sure to remove the https:// and anything after the domain. For example, if you want to block https://www.nytimes.com/section/business, you shoul

Can I use Focus Firewall on my iPhone or iPad?

No. Focus Firewall is currently only available for macOS. We are considering making it available for iPhone and iPad. If you are interested, please let us know!