FocusedOS combines several focus-enhancing apps in one

There are many productivity apps out there, and FocusedOS tries to combine several of them. The application, available for all Apple devices, can block distracting applications and websites, dim the entire screen except the window you are currently looking at, and play ambient sounds. The idea is that you’ll be able to turn all of these features on with the press of a button, start working, and then turn them off again when you’re done.

To get started, simply download the app and decide which features you want to enable. The first tab, “Behavior,” allows you to dim all windows except the currently active one – this works similarly to HazeOver ($4.99). You can also limit the number of apps displayed on the screen and add custom text to the menu bar. Finally, there is a feature that can hide icons in the menu bar, similar to the Bartender app ($22). You can also hide the wallpaper or even turn off Wi-Fi completely. Please note that none of these features are available in the iPhone or iPad version of the app (mainly because they wouldn’t make sense there).

Source: Justin Pot

In the “Atmosphere” tab, you can choose from a variety of background sounds – which means you won’t need a dedicated app to play sounds in the background.

Source: Justin Pot

There are also tools to block distracting apps and websites. You can choose which apps you want to block or allow only specific apps to open. Websites are a little simpler: there are ready-made categories you can add, or you can add URLs yourself.

Source: Justin Pot

Finally, if that’s not enough, you can launch any Apple shortcut after turning Focus Mode on or off. You can use this to turn off notifications, start a timer, or anything else you can imagine.

The free version only allows you to create one “environment”, which means you configure everything the way you like and that’s how the app works. The paid version, which costs $20 per year, allows you to create multiple environments, which means you can configure different things for different tasks. The paid version also lets you sync your current environment between your Mac, iPhone and iPad, unlocks more ambient sounds, and lets you run a shortcut when you launch the environment.

I don’t think this combination of tools will work for everyone. However, if you constantly cycle through your collection of focus tools every time you need to focus, FocusedOS may be exactly what you need. Try the free version to find out.