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How to Use Freedom to Block Distracting Apps and Sites

Instead of relying on willpower, Freedom blocks distracting sites and apps outright β€” here's how to set it up.

  1. Create a Freedom account

    Sign up for an account through the Freedom website or app.

  2. Choose what to block

    Select the social media, video, or other sites and apps that tend to distract you.

  3. Set your session length

    Choose how long you want the block to last and start the session.

  4. Use Locked Mode to prevent early exit

    Turning on Locked Mode means you can't undo the block yourself before the set time runs out.

  5. Why it's useful

    Instead of relying on willpower to resist checking a site, it removes access to it entirely, cutting off the distraction before the temptation even starts.

Removes the temptation instead of fighting it

Freedom's approach is different from most focus apps in that it doesn't just track or nudge you β€” it actually blocks access at the device or network level for the sites and apps you choose, so there's nothing to resist because it isn't reachable in the first place.

Locked Mode is the key feature for serious focus sessions

Without Locked Mode, it's easy to just disable the block the moment you feel the urge, defeating the point. Turning it on removes that escape hatch for the length of the session, which is what makes it useful for genuinely hard-to-resist distractions rather than mild ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I unblock a site early if I really need to?

Without Locked Mode enabled, yes. With Locked Mode on, the block stays active until the session ends, with no early override.

Does it work across multiple devices?

Many plans let you sync block sessions across your computer and phone at once, so a distraction blocked on one device stays blocked everywhere β€” check your specific plan's device limits.