Before you begin
- Make sure your device runs iOS 18 or later.
- Allow FocusPause to use Screen Time / FamilyControls when iOS asks.
- Add apps and purposes for the opening pause; select apps or categories separately for active blocking.
Create an “App Is Opened” automation
- Open Apple Shortcuts and go to Automation.
- Create a personal automation and select App.
- Choose the distracting app, select Is Opened, and set it to run immediately.
- Add the FocusPause start action, then save.
- Open the distracting app from your Home Screen to confirm that the pause appears.
Why did nothing happen when the app opened?
- Check that the automation targets the correct app and uses Is Opened.
- Make sure the automation is set to run immediately.
- Confirm that FocusPause still has Screen Time permission.
- After a system update, open Shortcuts and save the automation again.
Use Quick Timer
- Select one or more apps or categories.
- Choose 15, 30, or 60 minutes, or set a custom duration from 15 minutes to 24 hours.
- The block ends automatically when its countdown finishes.
- Ending early requires a second confirmation inside the App and does not remove other active protection.
Use recurring schedules
- Choose a schedule name, targets, weekdays, and time ranges.
- Pause, resume, edit, or delete a schedule at any time.
- iOS applies overnight and all-day schedules from the times you set.
- If permission is revoked or the system capability is unavailable, a schedule may not run; restore access and reopen FocusPause to reconcile.
Free and Premium
The free opening pause protects up to 2 apps with up to 5 purposes each. Quick Timer is free, and the first 2 recurring schedules can each use 1 active weekday. Premium adds more protected apps and purposes, unlimited schedules, multi-day schedules, custom breathing, and advanced review. Monthly, yearly, and lifetime options are available; App Store products and prices are authoritative.
Data, permission, and diagnostic logs
Pause records, blocking configuration, schedules, history, and diagnostic logs stay on your device, and the developer does not collect or upload personal data. Revoke Screen Time / FamilyControls access in iOS Settings. In FocusPause, Settings → Diagnostic Logs lets you view a summary, export, or clear the local logs.