Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about FocusMe. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact our support team.
General
How does FocusMe work?
FocusMe runs in the background and checks which websites and apps you are using against your plans. If you have never signed in, your plans and activity stay on your PC. If you sign in, your plans, tasks and daily activity totals are saved to your account so they sync across your devices. If you turn on Coach, the sites and apps you used, with times, are sent to Coach to write your reports. Full web addresses and page titles never leave your PC.
When you visit a blocked site or open a blocked app, FocusMe detects it and closes or redirects it.
Is FocusMe safe to use?
Absolutely! FocusMe is 100% safe to use software.
The FocusMe Windows app is signed with an Extended Validation (EV) code signing certificate, the highest level available. This lets Windows confirm the app comes from us and has not been altered.
The FocusMe Mac app is notarised by Apple. This means Apple has scanned it for malicious content and checked its signature before it can be opened.
Our iPhone and iPad app and our Safari extension are reviewed by Apple, our Android app by Google Play, and our browser extensions by Google (Chrome Web Store) and Mozilla (Firefox Add-ons), before they are published.
We never sell your data. Our Privacy Policy lists exactly what is synced when you sign in.
Do you record my browsing history?
Your detailed browsing history stays on your device. If you sign in, daily totals per website and app sync to your account, whether or not Coach is on (you can turn this off with Sync From This Device). If you are subscribed to FocusMe emails, your weekly totals (hours focused, blocks and time reclaimed) are also sent to our email provider to write your weekly recap email. Coach, if turned on, receives the site and app names with times, and you can delete that data from Settings at any time. Full addresses and page titles are never uploaded. You can turn activity tracking off entirely in Settings.
Does FocusMe require Administrator rights?
The standard version requires administrator privileges for full functionality. A non-administrator version is also available if needed.
Features & Blocking
Can I block applications with FocusMe?
Yes. FocusMe can block any application on your desktop. If you have trouble blocking a specific app, contact our support team and we'll help you set it up.
Can I time-limit apps or websites at certain times and block them at others?
Yes. You can create multiple plans that are active at different times of day or days of the week. Each plan can be set to fully block, impose time limits, or limit launch counts - giving you complete flexibility.
How can I prevent FocusMe from being uninstalled?
On Windows, enable "Protect Uninstall" in settings. On macOS, enable and password-protect at least one plan. On Android, this feature is only available in the direct version (not the Play Store version).
What does RegEx mean?
RegEx means Regular Expressions, which provides advanced blocking capabilities. It lets you block groups of sites or apps using pattern matching - for example, blocking all subdomains of a site or all URLs containing a specific keyword.
Can FocusMe sync plans between devices?
Yes. Plans sync between Windows, Mac and iPhone with Premium, which every desktop licence includes. Android sync is in development.
When I switch from trial to paid, will I lose all my plans?
No. Entering your activation code preserves all your plans and settings exactly as they are.
Platforms & Compatibility
What platforms are supported?
FocusMe is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
Do you have an iOS / iPhone version?
Yes. FocusMe for iPhone is on the App Store. It blocks apps and websites through iOS Screen Time, so blocking holds even when the app is closed. It needs iOS 16 or later. Sign in with your FocusMe account to sync your plans with your Windows or Mac computer (Premium, included with every desktop licence).
Do you have a Chromebook version?
Not yet. Get in touch if you'd like to be notified when a Chromebook version becomes available.
Which browsers are supported?
FocusMe supports all major browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Brave, and many others. Blocking works across all browsers simultaneously - no extension required.
What are the browser add-ons for?
The Chrome and Firefox extensions are recommended add-ons for the FocusMe desktop application. They add enhanced URL detection and faster blocking.
Does FocusMe work through a proxy?
Yes. FocusMe works regardless of proxy usage. Blocking works via URL detection or webpage title matching.
Is FocusMe compatible with a VPN?
Yes. Using a VPN doesn't affect FocusMe's ability to track and block browser URLs and applications.
Are the Android and iOS apps free?
They're free to download, and blocking, schedules and time limits work without paying. FocusMe Premium adds plan and activity sync with your computer. It's included with every desktop licence (up to 2 mobile devices), or you can subscribe in the app.
Account & Pricing
How many devices can I use FocusMe on?
You can use FocusMe on up to 5 desktop computers (Windows or macOS) and up to 2 mobile devices (Android or iPhone) per license. Licenses shouldn't be shared between users, except for parents with children under 18.
Where can I view my license key?
You can view your license key in the account login area.
Do you offer student discounts?
Yes! You can get 30% off if you are a student or work in education. Visit our student discount page for details.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept credit/debit cards and PayPal. We use Paddle for payment processing.
How can I cancel my subscription?
Reply to any of your order emails or contact our support team and we'll process your cancellation within 24 hours.
How can I get a refund?
Contact us within 60 days of your purchase and we'll process your refund within 24 hours. No questions asked.
Resources
Where can I find tutorials and documentation?
Visit our documentation site for step-by-step guides, videos, and how-to articles.
Where can I download the latest version?
Visit our download page to get the latest version for your platform.
How can I request a new feature?
Submit your ideas on our community forum. We review all feature requests and prioritize based on user demand.
Where can I discuss productivity topics with like-minded people?
Join the FocusMe Community Forum to share tips, ask questions, and connect with other users.