App Blocking
Close distracting apps automatically while a focus session runs.
While a focus timer is running, FocusMo enforces the active Project's app rules: a blocked app is quit automatically (or hidden, if it can't be quit), and you get a notification — "[App] was closed to help you focus."
Blocklist vs Whitelist
Each Project uses one of two modes (Block Apps tab):
| Mode | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Blocklist (default) | The listed apps are blocked; everything else is allowed. |
| Whitelist | Only the listed apps are allowed; everything else is blocked. |
Whitelist is the stricter tool: great for deep work where you know exactly which 3 apps you need.
Picking apps
The Block Apps tab shows a searchable list of apps discovered on your Mac. Select the ones to add to the list. If something's missing, Force Full Refresh rescans the whole system.
The list includes productivity-relevant Apple apps (Music, TV, News, Photos, Messages, Mail, Safari, Maps, App Store…) and even Safari "Add to Dock" web apps, so a YouTube web app can be blocked like any regular app.
How enforcement works
- Blocking is active only while the session timer is actually working (including overtime) — not while idle, paused, or on a break.
- When a session starts, FocusMo also scans already-running apps and closes any blocked ones.
- The frontmost app is checked every couple of seconds during the session.
- Essential system components (Finder, Dock, Spotlight, System Settings, Terminal…) are never blocked.
- "App was closed" notifications are debounced — the same app won't nag you more than once per 30 seconds.
App blocking needs no special permission — but you'll want Notifications allowed to see the "was closed" alerts.