The Commons: Students

The Commons App

About this app

The Commons™ – Airplane Mode For Schools

Let’s be real phones are amazing. But at School? They can be a total distraction.

The Commons helps students stay focused during the school day without giving up their phones. No pouches. No locks. Just fewer distractions.

Built with privacy first, The Commons automatically pauses access to distracting apps like social media, games, and other non-academic content during school hours while keeping school-approved, medical, and essential communication apps available.

The result? More focus. Better learning. Stronger habits.

Features
• Automatically activates when you arrive at school
• Restricts distracting apps during school hours
• Keeps approved educational and essential apps available per your school's phone policy
• Automatically turns off when the school day ends

Why The Commons uses VPNService:
The Commons uses Android's VPNService as a core part of its functionality to help schools reduce digital distractions during the school day.

When School Mode is active, VPNService creates a secure device-level connection that enables The Commons to apply your school's distraction-reduction policy by limiting access to distracting apps and websites while continuing to allow approved educational, safety, medical, and communication resources.

The Commons does not function as a consumer VPN, does not route traffic for anonymity, and does not collect or sell browsing activity. VPNService is used solely to enable school-approved focus policies during school hours.

Privacy First
Your privacy matters.

The Commons never accesses your messages, browsing history, photos, social media content, or location history.

Learn more about our privacy commitment: the-commons.app/privacy-policy

Ratings and reviews

It took me less than 1 hour to circumvent it multiple times over, which is suboptimal for an app that is meant to stop students from using their phone, as it can actually make it easier to do things a school disapproves of, as you can show that you have the app to "prove" that you weren't doing said activities.

This app is horrible. I was open to the idea when my school installed it on our phones but after using it foe the past few days I can see how wrong I was. It invades your privacy, trackes your location, send a million notifications in an hour and has only made the student body dislike school more. Not to mention the fact that when in 'school mode' doesn't allow you to text, it's a safety issue.

this app is the most atrocious thing ever to grace my phone. All the 5 stars on this is from teachers who think it is helping- news flash it isnt- and have never had to experience the pain and suffering that is the commons. this app drains your battery like it drains my will to live, if you start the day at 100% I kid you not in 1.5 hours it will be at 15%. It also tracks you like crazy and sends you notifications during the school day WHEN YOURE NOT ON YOUR PHONE to put your phone away

What’s new

This update makes it easier than ever to get connected with improved school sign in, enhancements to School Mode, and performance improvements designed to create a smoother, more consistent experience throughout the school day.