🚨 Using iOS 26.2 or later? 🚨 ****Apple currently has a specific Time Limit issue. Learn More
Refocus is built on top of Apple's Screen Time technology. It does not work without it. Unfortunately, this technology may sometimes behave in unexpected ways . That said, once you learn how to set up Refocus on your device, it will work as expected.
Please read through this page to see if your issue is documented. If not, use the “Contact Us” button in the app for help! On a personal note, I (Kris - the founder of Refocus) care a LOT that Refocus works well for you. If you are consistently experience issues not described here, I want to know about them and fix them for you!
Common Mistake For Refocus Pro Users
If you can’t unblock apps, and set Strict Modes (ex. “Unblock Limit” or “Always Block”), you need to set the Strict Mode back to “Normal” to unblock. In Refocus Advanced Settings, there is a “Reset Strict Modes” button for these scenarios (optionally, it can be hidden).
Issue #1: I Can't Unblock Apps!
🚨 Update to iOS 18+ to get the best experience 🚨
If you see the screen on the left side, Refocus is not blocking the app:
- Either your apps are blocked by your Apple Screen Time settings
- You encountered a bug with Screen Time Technology
🚨 If you see the left side, Refocus is not blocking your app! 🚨
To resolve:
- Make sure you have an active “Stop Blocking” session. If you do not, apps will be blocked. See the FAQ on how to stop blocking.
- If you are a Refocus Pro user, please note that some strict modes like “Always Block” are designed to not allow you to unblock. Double-check your strict modes.
- If you encountered despite having an active “Stop Blocking” session, sometimes deleting, or recreating the “Stop Blocking Session” can fix the issue.
- Inside Refocus app, going to Settings > Advanced Settings, and pressing “Fix App Blocking” may fix this issue.
- Where are Refocus “Settings”? In the “Home” tab (the first screen Refocus shows), press the “gear” icon on the top-right corner.
- If all of the above doesn’t help, your apps could be blocked by another app, or Apple’s Screen Time itself. To fix, in iOS, go to “Settings” app, turn off all Screen Time settings, and then ensure to toggle of all the apps in ‘APPS WITH SCREEN TIME ACCESS’, and then restart your phone.