Find answers to common questions or get in touch with our support team.
From the main timer screen, select a project (or use the default), choose a timer preset, and tap the "Start Focus" button. The app will begin tracking your focus time immediately.
Timer presets are pre-configured focus and break durations. FocusLab includes 7 built-in presets: Classic Pomodoro (25/5), Deep Work (50/10), Quick Sprint (15/3), Extended Focus (90/20), Writing Block (45/15), Meeting Prep (20/5), and Research Block (60/15). Premium users can create custom presets.
Go to the Projects tab and tap the "+" button. Enter a project name, choose a color and icon, optionally set a weekly goal, and tap Save. You can now select this project when starting focus sessions.
When you download FocusLab, you automatically get 7 days of full access to all premium features - no credit card required. Experience unlimited projects, full analytics, iCloud sync, Live Activities, Siri Shortcuts, and everything else completely free. After 7 days, you can subscribe to continue using premium features.
Premium includes unlimited projects, full analytics history, PDF export for grants, iCloud sync across devices, deadline tracking with calendar integration, session journaling, Live Activities on Dynamic Island, interactive widgets, StandBy mode support, Siri Shortcuts, and priority support.
Go to Settings > Subscribe to Premium. You can choose between monthly ($4.99/month), annual ($39.99/year, save 33%), or lifetime ($79.99 one-time) subscriptions.
Subscriptions are managed through your Apple ID. Go to your iPhone Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > FocusLab, then tap Cancel Subscription. You'll retain access until the end of your billing period.
Refunds are handled by Apple. Visit reportaproblem.apple.com or contact Apple Support to request a refund for your subscription.
Go to Settings > Restore Purchases. Make sure you're signed into the same Apple ID you used for the original purchase. Your Premium access will be restored automatically.
Yes! FocusLab continues tracking time even when you switch apps or lock your device. You'll receive a notification when your session ends. For best results, enable notifications in Settings.
With Premium, your data automatically syncs across all your Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account. This includes projects, sessions, journal entries, and settings. Sync happens in the background.
Yes! The Apple Watch companion app lets you start sessions, view your current timer, check today's stats, and receive haptic alerts. Install the Watch app from the Watch app on your iPhone.
Premium users can export PDF reports from Analytics > Export. You can customize the date range, select specific projects, and include charts and statistics. The export is formatted for professional grant reporting.
Achievements are milestones you earn for consistent focus habits, like completing your first session, reaching 100 total hours, or maintaining a 30-day streak. Streaks track consecutive days of focus sessions.
FocusLab can block focus time on your calendar. Go to Calendar tab to view today's events, block focus time with conflict detection, and create recurring focus schedules. The app can automatically find available time slots based on your existing calendar events. Requires calendar permission.
FocusLab syncs with Apple Reminders. Go to Tasks tab to view your reminders, select tasks to work on during a focus session, and mark them complete. You can filter by list, sort by priority or due date, and create new tasks directly in the app. Requires Reminders permission.
Challenges are goals that help you build consistent focus habits. Go to Challenges tab to see 20+ challenges across 5 difficulty levels (Beginner to Legendary). Complete challenges to earn points, track your progress, and unlock rewards. Examples: "Focus for 2 hours today" or "Complete 7-day streak".
After each focus session, you can record notes about what you accomplished. Go to Journal tab to add entries with mood tracking, productivity rating (1-5 stars), accomplishments, blockers, and tags. Reflection prompts help you think about your session. Review past entries to identify patterns.
FocusLab can remind you to take care of your health during focus sessions. Go to Wellness tab to enable reminders for: Posture checks (every 30 min), Hydration (every 45 min), Eye breaks using the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 min), and Movement breaks (every 60 min). Each type includes guided exercises with timers.
The Apple Watch companion app lets you start sessions, view your current timer, check today's stats, see active challenges, and receive haptic feedback at milestones (60 seconds and 10 seconds remaining). Install complications for quick access from your watch face.
Go to the Sounds tab to access 26+ ambient sounds across 6 categories: Nature, Urban, Weather, White Noise, Music, and Lab. You can mix multiple sounds together and adjust individual volumes. Premium users can save custom sound presets.
Break Activities are guided exercises to help you take better breaks. Choose from 15+ activities including breathing exercises (Box Breathing, 4-7-8), stretches (Neck Rolls, Shoulder Stretch), eye care routines (20-20-20 Rule), and mindfulness moments. Free users get access to 5 activities.
Go to Analytics > Activity to see your GitHub-style streak calendar. It shows your daily focus activity with color intensity based on minutes focused. You can see your current streak, longest streak, and tap any day to view details.
Templates let you save your favorite project + timer preset combinations for one-tap access. Go to Timer > Templates to create, edit, and manage templates. The app tracks how often you use each template.
Go to Settings > App Icon to choose from 10 beautiful icons. Free users can access 3 icons (Default, Dark, Light). Premium users unlock all 10 including Midnight, Ocean, Sunset, Forest, Minimal, Neon, and Pride.
FocusLab can detect when iOS Focus Mode is active and remind you to enable it when starting sessions. Go to Settings > Focus Mode to configure. You can also set up Shortcuts automations to automatically enable Focus Mode when you start a session.
Premium users can choose from 6 animation styles: Classic, Breathing (calming pulse), Particle (floating particles), Liquid (fluid motion), Neon (glowing edges), and Minimal (clean design). Go to Settings > Timer > Animation Style.
Quotes appear automatically during breaks. You can also browse all 40+ quotes in the Quotes Gallery (accessible from the break screen). Save favorites, filter by category (Focus, Productivity, Perseverance, Research, Creativity, Mindfulness), and share quotes with friends.
FocusLab is optimized for battery efficiency. If you notice high battery usage, try disabling Live Activity in Settings, reducing notification frequency, or disabling ambient sounds during sessions.
Make sure you have a Premium subscription and iCloud sync is enabled in FocusLab Settings. Also verify that both devices are signed into the same Apple ID and have iCloud Drive enabled in system Settings.
Check that notifications are enabled for FocusLab in your device Settings > Notifications > FocusLab. Also ensure Do Not Disturb or Focus modes aren't blocking the alerts.
Go to Settings > Delete All Data. This permanently removes all your projects, sessions, journal entries, and achievements. This action cannot be undone. If you have iCloud sync enabled, data will be deleted from all devices.
FocusLab stores your focus data (projects, sessions, journal entries) locally on your device. With iCloud sync, this data is stored in your personal iCloud account. We collect minimal analytics to improve the app. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Yes. Data stored locally uses Apple's secure data frameworks. iCloud data is encrypted by Apple both in transit and at rest. We never have direct access to your personal data.
Yes. Go to Settings > Export Data to download all your FocusLab data in JSON or CSV format. This includes all projects, sessions, journal entries, and settings.
Our support team is here to assist you. We typically respond within 24 hours.
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