Want to block apps on your iPhone when a Focus Mode is enabled? Here's how you can do it!

While Apple allows you to disable notifications for certain apps using Focus Modes, it doesn’t natively offer the option to block apps completely.

However, you can do this for free by linking Jomo to your Focus Mode.

Haven't installed Jomo yet? Download the app for free
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🌙 What is Focus Mode?

Since 2021, Apple introduced the "Focus" feature, available in the Settings of your iPhone, Mac, and iPad. It lets you quickly adjust your device's setup without having to reconfigure everything (wallpaper, app organization, color options, etc.). By default, the available modes are: "Do Not Disturb," "Sleep," and "Work." You can activate these modes manually, automatically, or when you open certain apps.

For each of these modes, you can add extra filters, especially to trigger actions in third-party apps. These additional actions are called Focus Filters.

Jomo offers a filter that blocks the apps of your choice when a Focus Mode is activated.
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🔒 How to block apps when my Focus Mode is active?

📱On iPhone/iPad

Open the Jomo app on your iPhone.
Create a blocking session template by tapping "➕ Add" > "Session" in the "Templates" section.
Set up your session according to your preferences. This is where you can choose which apps will be blocked. In the "Timing" section, make sure to select "Permanent".
Save your template.

Now, go to your iPhone Settings:

Open Settings, then tap "Focus".
Select the Focus Mode of your choice (or create a new one).
Set it up as desired, then scroll down and tap "➕ Add Filter".
From the list of apps, choose Jomo ("Start a session during this focus").
Choose your template from the list and confirm by tapping "Add".

You can now try to enable your Focus Mode. A session should start in Jomo, blocking your selected apps. They'll be available again when your Focus Mode is turned off.

💻 On Mac

Open the Jomo app on your Mac.
Create a blocking session template by clicking "➕ Add" > "Session" in the "Templates" section.
Set up your session according to your preferences. This is where you can choose which apps will be blocked. In the "Timing" section, make sure to select "Permanent".
Save your template.

Now, go to your System Settings on your Mac:

Open System Settings, then go to "Focus".
Select the Focus Mode of your choice (or create a new one).
Set it up as you like, then scroll down and click "➕ Add Filter".
From the list of apps, choose Jomo ("Start a session during this focus").
Choose your template from the list and confirm by clicking "Done".

You can now try to enable your Focus Mode. A session should start in Jomo, blocking your selected apps. They'll be available again when your Focus Mode is turned off.


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↔️ How to block apps on all my devices with one click?

Just enable the "Share Across Devices" option in the Focus settings on all your Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac). That way, when you activate a mode (like "Do Not Disturb") on one device, it will also activate on the others (linked to the same Apple ID).

By adding a Jomo filter to this mode on each device (see the previous section), you can block apps automatically across multiple devices, all controlled by activating a single Focus Mode!
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❌ How to remove the Jomo integration?

Changed your mind? No worries, here's how to undo it:

Open the Focus Filter where you've linked your session.
Scroll down to the bottom of the screen.
Tap on "Delete Filter".

Updated on: 07/09/2024