Customizing your Block List

Customizing your Block List

A Block List controls which apps and websites are allowed or blocked during a Focus Session or Blocking Schedule.









Idea
You can create different Block Lists for different types of work or routines. This helps you create different environments for different tasks without manually changing your settings every time.

For example:

  • A work Block List that only allows work-related websites and apps
  • A study Block List that blocks social media and entertainment
  • A creative Block List that allows design tools while blocking distractions

Supported Devices

  • Windows
  • Mac
  • Android
  • iOS

What a Block List Can Block

  • Websites
  • Direct URLs
  • Website subdomains
  • Websites containing specific keywords
  • Apps

When to Use Different Block Lists

Use different Block Lists if you:

  • Need separate environments for work and personal tasks
  • Want stricter blocking during deep work
  • Need more flexibility during casual tasks
  • Want different setups for study, creative work, admin tasks, or meetings

How to Use a Block List

Option 1: Use a Block List During a Focus Session

On Windows or Mac

  1. Open the app menu from the System Tray (Windows) or Menu Bar (Mac)


  2. Click Start Focus Session


Info
Want to use your Block List during a Focus Session?
See: How to Start a Focus Session


Option 2: Automatically Trigger Blocking with Blocking Schedule

You can automatically apply a Block List using Blocking Schedule.


Example:

  • Automatically block social media during work hours
  • Block entertainment apps before bedtime
  • Create a distraction-free study schedule

Info
Want to automatically trigger your Block List at scheduled times?
See: Blocking Schedule

How to Customize Your Block List

On Windows or Mac

  1. Open the app menu from the System Tray (Windows) or Menu Bar (Mac).




  2. Click Preferences


  3. Open the Blocking section
  4. Click Block List


Create or Edit a Block List

To Create a New Block List

  1. Click Add Block List


  2. Enter a name for the Block List, then click Add.


To Edit an Existing Block List

Click the Block List from the list to edit it.

Each Block List can have its own allowed or blocked apps and websites.


App Blocking Modes

Allow All Apps

Allows all apps while using the current Block List. Use this mode if you only want to use website blocking without restricting desktop apps.

Example:
- Block distracting websites while still allowing access to all desktop applications
- Use browser-only blocking during casual work sessions



Allow Selected Apps

This is a stricter mode and works best for deep focus sessions where you only want access to essential tools. Only apps added to the allowed list can be used.

To add allowed apps:

  1. Click the plus (+) button
  2. Select apps from the list



If the app is not listed:

  • Enter the app executable file name manually


  • Example: chrome.exe, notepad.exe


You may need to search for the correct executable name for some apps.

  1. Click Add


Website Blocking Modes


Block Everything Except Safe Sites That I Choose

Blocks all websites except the websites you specifically allow.

This is the strictest website blocking mode and works best when you only want access to a small number of websites during a Focus Session.

Example:

  • Allow Google Docs for writing
  • Allow your company website or work tools
  • Block everything else automatically

If you allow *.google.com, websites such as:

  • docs.google.com
  • drive.google.com
  • mail.google.com

will remain accessible.

Advanced Option

You can still block specific parts of a website even if the main website is allowed.

Example:

  • Allow all Google websites
  • Block tv.google.com to prevent distractions

This is useful if you want to allow work-related tools but block entertainment sections of the same website.

Allow Everything Except Certain Distracting Sites

Allows all websites except the websites you choose to block.

This mode works best if you only want to block a few distracting websites while keeping normal browsing available.

Example:

  • Block Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, or news websites during work
  • Keep all other websites accessible

Website Format Examples

To block one website only:

  • facebook.com

To block all related versions or sections of a website:

  • *.facebook.com

This also blocks websites such as:

  • m.facebook.com
  • business.facebook.com 


Managing Your Block Lists

Remove a Website or App

  1. Select the item
  2. Click the minus (-) button

Delete a Block List

  1. Select the Block List
  2. Click Delete

Duplicate a Block List

  1. Select the Block List
  2. Click Duplicate
Info
All changes are saved automatically.

Customizing Block Lists on Android or iOS

Warning
App and website blocking on Android requires additional permissions.
See: How to Enable Permissions for App and Website Blocking.

Add Apps to Your Block List

  1. Open the Focus Bear app
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Tap Blocking Schedule
  4. Make sure Block apps during habits is enabled
    • This allows the same Block List to be used during Focus Sessions
  5. Tap Choose Apps
  6. Select the blocking type:
    Allow List: Only the selected apps will remain accessible during the Focus Session. All other apps will be blocked.
    Block List: Only the selected apps will be blocked. All other apps will remain accessible.
  1. Select the apps you want to allow or block based on the selected blocking type. You can also use the filters at the top to sort apps by category, such as:
    - Games
    - Social
    - News
    - Entertainment
  1. Tap Save Changes when finished

Add Websites to Your Block List

  1. Open the Focus Bear app
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Tap Blocked Websites
  4. Enter or paste the website URL into Enter URL to block
  5. Tap Save

Idea
For a more automated setup, you can combine your Block Lists with Blocking Schedule to automatically trigger app and website blocking at specific times.

Troubleshooting

Problem

Websites or apps are not being blocked

Possible Causes

  • Permissions are not enabled
  • The website or app is not included in the current Block List
  • A different Block List is active
  • AI Blocking mistakenly allowed the website

Solution

  • Check if all required permissions are enabled
  • Verify the website, URL, keyword, or app is included in the Block List
  • Confirm you selected the correct Block List
  • Manually add the website or app
  • Restart the Focus Session and try disabling AI Blocking


Problem

All websites or apps are being blocked

Possible Causes

  • The wrong Block List is active
  • The Block List is configured to block everything

Solution

Check your Block List settings and verify the blocking mode is configured correctly.


Common Questions


Can I create multiple Block Lists?

Yes. You can create different Block Lists for different types of work, routines, or schedules.


Can I use different Block Lists for different Focus Sessions?

Yes. In Geek Mode, you can choose which Block List to use for each Focus Session.


Why are websites blocked even if I did not add them?

You may be using:

  • A different Block List
  • AI Blocking
  • A strict blocking mode that blocks most websites


Can I block only specific parts of a website?

Yes. You can block specific subdomains or URLs.

Example:

  • Allow *.google.com
  • Block tv.google.com


Why can’t I switch Block Lists?

You may be using:

  • Super Focus Session
  • Strict blocking settings

These settings can temporarily lock your Block List until the session ends.

Reporting Issues

If the solutions above do not resolve your issue:

  1. Open the Help section
  2. Go to Report Problem
  3. Tap Share logs with team

Please include:

  • Screenshots
  • Steps to reproduce the issue
  • Details about what happened


Related Features

  • Website Blocking
  • Blocking Schedule
  • Enabling Permissions for App and Website Blocking
  • Geek Mode vs Simple Mode


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