Focus Launcher is a minimalist Android launcher with screen time limits and app blocking built in — the digital wellbeing setup most people assemble from two or three apps, in one home screen.

Before you open a distracting app, it pauses and asks what you need. That tiny moment of friction — just long enough to think — is often enough to stop a mindless scroll before it starts.

Built for people who want their phone to serve them, not the other way around.

HOW IT WORKS

You pick which apps are distracting. Social media, video, messaging — whatever pulls you in. When you try to open one, Focus Launcher pauses first. It shows an alternative activity (like "go for a walk" or "call a friend") and asks how long you actually need. One minute, five, or ten. You open the app on purpose, with a timer.

When the timer's up, you're nudged to step away. A short cooldown blocks the same app for a few minutes so you don't fall back in.

BLOCKS DISTRACTIONS ACROSS YOUR WHOLE PHONE

The pause doesn't just work from the launcher. With accessibility and overlay permissions enabled, the app blocker covers every back door — notifications, widgets, recent apps, full-screen videos. No slipping past it.

KEY FEATURES

• Intent pause — A gentle interstitial before distracting apps, with a duration picker and an alternative activity suggestion

• Daily screen time limit — A minute budget for distracting apps each day. Going over breaks your streak.

• Cooldown after use — Blocks reopening the same app for a few minutes after you leave

• Focus sessions — Timed 15/25/45/60-min sessions where all distracting apps are fully blocked

• Quiet Hours — Daily time range when distracting apps are off-limits (bedtime, mornings)

• Streak history — A 13-week dot grid of your daily status. Watch the pattern build.

• Session history — Every distracting-app session logged with duration, grouped by day

• Weekly insights — Total time, top app, peak hours, focus sessions completed

• Clean launcher basics — Essentials page, all-apps search with alphabet fast-scroll, phone and camera shortcuts

• Forever free — The core friction loop (pause, limits, cooldown, focus sessions, streaks) is free, forever. No ads, no in-app purchases.

PRIVACY

Your usage data — which apps you open, how long you spend in them, your focus sessions, your streak — stays on your device. Nothing about your individual app use ever leaves the device.

Optionally, with your consent, Focus Launcher sends anonymous usage signals (which onboarding steps and product screens you reach) so the developer can see where the app works and where it doesn't. Never includes which apps you use or your search terms. Toggleable in Settings anytime.

PERMISSIONS EXPLAINED

• All apps access — Required to display and launch your installed apps (standard for launchers)
• Display over other apps — Lets the pause screen appear on top of any app, including full-screen videos
• Accessibility service — Detects when distracting apps open from notifications or widgets. Does not read screen content, keystrokes, or personal data
• Uninstall packages — Powers the long-press uninstall option

Focus Launcher does not request Usage Access — usage tracking is built from your own activity.

WHO IT'S FOR

• You want to break the habit of grabbing your phone without thinking
• You want to use social media on purpose, not reflexively
• You're tired of "screen time" features that you just override
• You want a quiet, minimal home screen instead of a busy one

NOT FOR YOU IF

• You want a launcher with icon packs, custom widgets, and deep visual customization. Focus Launcher is opinionated and minimal.
• You want a screen time blocker but plan to keep your existing launcher. The pause requires this app to be your home screen.

SET IT AS YOUR DEFAULT LAUNCHER, GIVE IT A WEEK

You'll notice how often you reach for a distracting app without meaning to. The pause catches those moments. Your streak grows. Your attention comes back.