The best free app blockers against digital distractions

Breaking news about Trump's latest stupidity, the never-ending Facebook feed, cat pictures in the family chat: they storm our attention as if it were a free buffet. And in fact, it is, because we give it away far too generously and are constantly distracted from work. At the end of the day, we feel scattered and unfulfilled: once again, we didn't get everything done – and yet we're exhausted.

But rescue for your concentration is on the way, a protective wall against the constant barrage from the web is achievable: app blockers disable the tempting distractions of the vast, wide internet by blocking certain applications on your phone or in your internet browser. Still not convinced? Here are three reasons why an app fast can make you both more productive and more mindful.

Why you should install an app blocker today

Reason 1: Studies show that our phone distracts us even when it's just lying next to us. [1] [1] Smartphones distract by their mere presence: Ward et al. (2017): Brain Drain: The Mere Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity  Because every possibility of a new message activates our reward centre. 

Reason 2: Every resistance to digital addictive substances costs us willpower. With app blockers you protect your concentration, without giving away even a drop of willpower.

Reason 3: App blockers increase the likelihood of getting into the "flow" – a state in which you are completely absorbed in your task, lose track of time and space, and experience great satisfaction.

In short, app blockers make you more focused, more productive, and thus ultimately more satisfied. We have now researched the best app blockers for you, to turn computers and phones from a digital playground into practical everyday helpers. At the end of the post, you'll also find a brief explanation of the technical implementation, how you can set up the app blockers on your computer and smartphone.

By the way: Without app blockers, our latest work, The 6-Minute-Success Journal, probably still wouldn't be finished ;-).

We suffer from neomania – the addiction to everything new, what has happened in the last 12 minutes. – Tony Reinke, author of 12 Things Your Smartphone Has Changed About You

App blockers for your smartphone

To keep your smartphone free from attention thieves, you could simply put it in flight mode. But what if the nursery calls because your child has a stomach ache? With these clever app blockers, you keep all the functions you need in everyday life and only disable the distractions from the web.

BlockSite

With BlockSite, you can immediately block all apps and websites at once. Thereby reduce your smartphone consumption and complete your tasks with more focus in less time.

This is how you use this app blocker:

• Set the timer to be able to play again after work.
• Use the work mode to work in self-defined intervals. During the breaks, all apps are unlocked again.
• With a password lock, you make the hurdle even greater to get back access to the distracting apps. The more complicated the password, the greater the hurdle!
• Language: English

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BlockSite for Android

BlockSite for iOS

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Firefox Focus

Just checking something real quick ... And bam, you're scrolling through his favourite cat photo page again. With Firefox Focus, you slow down your usage: The app does not save passwords or search history and thus makes it less attractive to surf on your phone. 

This is how you use this app blocker:

• No storage of bookmarks and passwords → More focus for your upcoming tasks, no distraction from favourite pages
• Requires Firefox as the default browser
• Side effect: No data storage for more privacy
• Language: German, English

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Firefox Focus for Android

Firefox Focus for iOS

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Offtime

The Offtime app is the digital version of "I simply won't buy cigarettes, then I can't smoke them either." This app not only blocks apps, but also calls.

This is how you use this app blocker:

• Calls are only put through if the person calls more than once.
• The block can be lifted – but only after a one-minute waiting period.
• Or you set it so that the block is never lifted.
• Language: English

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Offtime for Android

Offtime for iOS
(€0.99)

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Space

Does the thought of disabling your phone make you feel uneasy? Then you might need this app to free yourself from your smartphone addiction in a mindful way. But beware, this app will make you addicted to beating your "personal bests" every single day.

This is how you use this app blocker:

• Block notifications – only when you pause Space will you see messages again.
• Track your screen time.
• Set goals for how much time you want to spend on your phone per day at most. Like marathon training, you can do a little more every day!
• Language: English

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SPACE for Android

SPACE for iOS

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App blockers for your computer

If you have deducted your laptop from your taxes, then it is – quite rightly – a work device. So you should also work on it. Put the colourful entertainment with these digital helpers at the door. If you now cry out: "But I need my concentration music on YouTube!", don't worry, we have a solution for that too!

BlockSite

This app blocker is available for your smartphone (see above) as well as for your internet browser. With Blocksite, you can block all websites that you do not need for work. 

This is how you use this app blocker:

• With the timer, you automatically block distracting websites during working hours, which are unlocked again after work and on weekends.
• With the work mode, you set work and break times. During the break, you can also give your brain a short break on Facebook.
• Here you also have a password lock.
• Through the "whitelist", you can even block all pages except those you need for your work.
• Language: German

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BlockSite for Mozilla

BlockSite for Chrome

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Self-Control

Our founder Dominik would certainly turn off his app blockers to quickly check his emails – at least 15 times a day ... You too? Then this app blocker is the right one for you.

This is how you use this app blocker: 

• As long as the timer is running, the listed websites remain blocked – even if you restart your computer!
• Otherwise, this app blocker works similarly to Blocksite (see above), but Self-Control was developed specifically for iOS, i.e., Apple devices.
• Language: English

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Self-Control for Mac/iOS

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Forest

This clever little helper combines an app blocker with the concentration-enhancing training of the Pomodoro technique, a time management method in which you work in intervals. To visualise this, you plant a seedling that grows into a magnificent tree after 25 minutes of focused work – and you can now reward yourself with a five-minute break.

This is how you use this app blocker:

• Block distracting websites.
• Slowly but surely train your concentration in 25-minute intervals.
• If you break the interval to get distracted, you have a tree on your conscience. And you don't want that, do you? ;-)

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Forest for Mozilla

Forest for Chrome

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FocusMe

This app works exactly like the Forest app, but you can adjust the length of your work intervals.

This is how you use this app blocker:

• Set work and break intervals.
• During the work interval, all distracting websites are blocked.
• During the break, you can briefly check Instagram.
• Language: English

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FocusMe for Mozilla

FocusMe for Chrome

FocusMe for Safari
(€5.99 / month)

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Kill News Feed

But what if you use social media to communicate with colleagues or your study group? With this app, you eliminate the flood of animal rescue videos and smoothie bowls on your Facebook home page.

This is how you use this app blocker:

• Hide the news feed and stories on Facebook.
• Use only groups and chats – completely without distractions.
• Language: English

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Kill News Feed for Chrome

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Eradicator

With Eradicator, you not only remove the news feed on Facebook, but also replace it with an inspiring quote.

This is how you use this app blocker:

• Hide the news feed and stories on Facebook.
• Instead, let yourself be inspired by wise quotes.
• You can also display your personal favourite quotes.
• Language: English

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Eradicator for Mozilla

Eradicator for Chrome

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DF Tube

Listen to concentration music on YouTube to work more focused? Good idea. But then stick to the set soundscape and work!

How to use this app blocker:

• Reduce YouTube to its basic functions.
• Hide suggested videos, comments, notifications, and trending videos.
• Language: English

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DF Tube for Mozilla

DF Tube for Chrome

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Every moment of attention we waste on mindlessly scrolling through social media is wasted attention that makes someone else money. – Catherine Price

Bonus: Ad Blocker for Your Web Browser

Ads cost you attention, otherwise they wouldn't work. In addition to app blockers that block certain sites or functions, there are also ad blockers that specifically eliminate ads. 

AdBlock

How to use this app blocker:

• Block ad clips on YouTube, banner ads, and pop-ups 
• Language: German

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AdBlock for Mozilla

AdBlock for Chrome

AdBlock for Safari

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More Attention for What Matters

Of course, we don't want to ruin the fun of surfing the web. Rather, it's about making focused work easier for you. During breaks and after work, you can of course relax however you like. 

After all, whisper podcasts, cat memes, and DIY videos on YouTube are a perfectly legitimate way to relax. Personally, I love watching cooking videos, even though I almost never cook the recipes. Nevertheless, we still have a lot to learn about the mindful use of digital addictive substances – and about finding a healthy balance, just as with sweets and alcohol. App blockers are a first step in the right direction.

The best alternative to your smartphone and PC? 
These 11 Books on Personal Development!

If you're looking for more sound tips for concentration outside the digital world, I recommend our e-book "The Concentration Compass". You'll get it for free when you order The 6-Minute-Success Journal.

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FAQ: App Blockers and Browser Extensions

Why do I need an app blocker for my computer? It doesn't even have apps! 

Apps is often used as a collective term for programs and websites.

 

How do I install an app blocker in my web browser? 

Follow the link for the respective app blocker. Click the "Add extension" button. 

 

How do I install an app blocker on my phone? 

Follow the link for the respective app blocker to the Apple or Google Store. Click the "Install" button.

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This post is by Amelie Haupt. Thanks to her studies in business psychology, she is the "Psycho-Aunt" of the 6-Minuten-Verlag. Like her texts, her life is structured. She needs it too when she's out and about as a digital nomad again.

Sources:

[1] Smartphones distract by their mere presence: Ward et al. (2017): Brain Drain: The Mere Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity