FocusGate

For iPhone · In testing now

Earn your apps back.

FocusGate locks the apps that eat your day until today's important stuff is done. Tick the last task and the gate swings open. Your feed will survive the wait.

Coming soonto the App Store for iPhone

See how it works

Free to start · iOS 18.2 or later · Built on Apple's Screen Time

FocusGate before: Gate locked, 2 tasks to unlock.
Apps lockeduntil today's 2 tasks are done
FocusGate after: Gate open, your protected apps are available, 2 of 2 complete.
Apps openas soon as you finish
  • Work first, scroll later
  • No ads
  • No tracking
  • Your app picks stay on your phone
  • Built on Apple's Screen Time
  • Free to start
  • A small knight guards your focus
  • Your feed can wait

How it works

Work first. The gate does the rest.

Four steps, one rule. Here's a real morning in FocusGate, straight from the app.

  1. Step 1 of 4

    Apps locked.

    Pick the apps that eat your day. Until today's tasks are done they wait behind the gate, and Focus shows exactly what opens it.

    • Finish project proposal, to do
    • Review tomorrow's priorities, to do
    FocusGate's Focus screen: Gate locked, 2 tasks to unlock, with Finish project proposal and Review tomorrow's priorities.

  2. Step 2 of 4

    One to go.

    Tick a task and the gate gets closer. The last one even tells you what it does: complete it and your apps open. Motivating. Slightly bossy.

    • Finish project proposal, to do
    • Review tomorrow's priorities, done
    Focus screen: Almost open, 1 task to unlock. Finish project proposal is the final task, with a Complete & open gate button.

  3. Step 3 of 4

    Open.

    The padlock drops, the doors swing, the knight cheers and your phone gives a little thud. Your apps are back. Enjoy the scroll, you earned it.

    • Finish project proposal, done
    • Review tomorrow's priorities, done
    Focus screen: Gate open, your protected apps are available, 2 of 2 complete, with a 5-day streak.

  4. Step 4 of 4

    Tomorrow, sorted.

    Plan routines like a morning deep-work block. They lock your apps when they start and open them when they end, even with FocusGate closed.

    Today's plan: a timeline with Deep Work now, Daily Reset later and Anytime tasks.

The unlock

Watch it. Then try it.

First the real thing, recorded in the app: the final task gets ticked and the gate swings open. Then it's your turn.

Screen recording from the app, with sample tasks. Padlock drops, doors swing, apps open.

Apps locked · 2 tasks left

Today's tasks
Try it: tick the tasks.

Features

A to-do list with a bouncer.

Plan your day like any good to-do app. FocusGate adds the one rule the others forgot: the fun stuff waits until the work is done.

  • The Right now card: Finish project proposal, marked Final task, with a Complete & open gate button.

    One clear next step

    Focus shows whether your apps are locked, what to do right now and what changes when you finish it.

  • Today's plan as a timeline: Deep Work now with one task left, then Daily Reset at 11:33.

    Routines that lock on time

    A morning deep-work block can lock your apps when it starts and open them when it ends, even while FocusGate is closed.

  • The gate card when everything is done: Gate open, 2 of 2 complete and a 5-day streak.

    A streak worth keeping

    See your streak, what you got done this week and how often the gate held. Share a recap if you're feeling smug.

  • Capture in seconds

    Add a task, press return, and the next one is ready. Plan today or any day ahead.

  • Focus Timer

    Work in focused rounds with a break in between. With Pro, your apps stay locked while it runs.

  • Home and Lock Screen

    Widgets show the gate and what's left. With Pro, tick tasks off right there and follow a Live Activity.

Privacy

We guard your focus. We don't watch it.

  • Your app picks stay private

    You choose apps in Apple's Screen Time picker, and FocusGate only gets anonymous tokens. It can't see which apps you chose or how long you use them.

  • No ads, no tracking

    No advertising, no analytics or tracking tools, and we never sell your data.

  • You stay in control

    Turn protection off at any time, or remove FocusGate's Screen Time access in iOS Settings.

  • Delete means delete

    Delete your account in the app and your synced tasks, routines and progress go with it.

Read the Privacy Policy

Free and Pro

Free gets you the gate. Pro adds the moat.

The whole loop works for free: apps locked, tasks done, gate open. Pro is an optional subscription for people who want more.

Free

  • Unlimited tasks
  • Two routines
  • Apps locked until your tasks are done
  • Reminders and an evening wrap-up
  • Widgets for your Home and Lock Screen
  • Your streak and this week's progress

Pro addsPRO

  • Unlimited routines
  • An all-day lock, and Hard Lock with no early opening
  • A Focus Timer that keeps your apps locked
  • Tick tasks off from widgets
  • A Live Activity while your apps are locked
  • Insights history and streak shields

Prices are shown in the App Store before you buy.

FAQ

Questions, answered plainly.

When can I get FocusGate?

We're testing it with a small group on TestFlight right now. It's coming to the App Store for iPhone soon.

Which devices does it work on?

iPhone with iOS 18.2 or later. FocusGate uses Apple's Screen Time, so you set it up on the iPhone you want to protect.

Can FocusGate see which apps I use?

No. You pick apps in Apple's own Screen Time picker, and FocusGate only receives anonymous tokens. It never reads your app usage or screen time.

What if I really need an app?

You can turn protection off in FocusGate at any time, and you can remove its Screen Time access in iOS Settings. FocusGate makes the easy distraction harder; it doesn't lock you out of your own phone.

Do I need an account?

Yes, so your tasks and progress sync and survive a new phone. Sign in with Apple, Google or email.

What does it cost?

FocusGate is free to start. FocusGate Pro is optional and adds the extras listed above. Prices are shown in the App Store before you buy.

How do I delete my data?

In the app, go to You › Settings › Account › Delete account. It removes your account and synced data. See the Privacy Policy for details.

Something else? Get in touch.

Your apps will wait. They're good at it.

FocusGate is in testing now and coming to the App Store soon. Get the important stuff done first; the rest will still be there.

Coming soonto the App Store for iPhone