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Protection determines how hard it is to stop, pause, or edit a plan once it’s running. This is what separates FocusMe from a simple browser extension — with strong protection you genuinely cannot bypass blocking, even when you want to. You set protection on the How strict step (Step 3) of the Plan Wizard. The Plans list shows the result as a tier name with a short summary, such as Gentle Guidance · 5 chars to stop · pauses free.

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Presets

Step 3 opens with four cards. Each one sets every challenge at once; new plans start on Gentle Guidance.

Step 3 How strict — the four preset cards

In the app’s own words:
  • Unlocked — Blocks just the same - but stopping is always one click. Pure willpower.
  • Gentle Guidance — Type 5 random characters to stop or whitelist - a decision, not a reflex. Pause freely.
  • Firm but Flexible — Stopping takes a 2 minute wait, then 10 random characters. 3 pauses a day when you need one.
  • Lock it Down — Stopping takes a 10 minute wait, then 25 random characters typed perfectly. No pauses or workarounds.
Every preset leaves the plan unprotected while it’s on standby or disabled, so you can still edit it between sessions. If a plan’s settings don’t match any card — because you fine-tuned it — it shows as Custom.
None of the presets makes stopping impossible. As the page says: Want no exit at all? Set stopping to Enforced under Customize - it cannot be undone until the plan ends.

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Customize

Click Customize (fine-tune each challenge individually) to set each action separately. A summary strip at the top describes the result — for example stop: 10 m wait, then 25 perfect random characters · no pausing · no whitelist additions — and Back to presets returns to the cards.

Step 3 after clicking Customize — one challenge picker per action

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Challenge levels

Each section has a segmented picker:
  • Unprotected — no challenge; one click.
  • Random — type a string of random characters. Set Random characters required (1–2000). Tick Perfect to require flawless entry — If you make a typo you’ll have to start again! Tick Partner Override to allow an accountability partner to override this protection.
  • Password — enter a password you set here. To change a password-protected setting later you must enter the current password.
  • Enforced — for stopping and editing: the action is impossible until the plan ends. Choosing it shows a warning, for example Stopping the plan while active will not be possible. With a 24/7 schedule and no end date, you will never be able to stop this plan. On a Quick Timer or Pomodoro: Stopping the plan will not be possible until the timer runs out.
  • Disallowed — for skipping, pausing and whitelisting: the action is removed entirely; the button doesn’t appear.

The random-characters challenge

Edit protection can only be set to Enforced together with Partner Override (required) — an accountability partner is then the only way to change the plan.

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Wait-first Stopping

When a stop delay is set, the wait comes before the challenge:
  1. Choose Stop. The plan keeps blocking and the countdown starts; right-click the plan to Cancel Stop if you change your mind.
  2. When the wait is over, FocusMe notifies you: Ready to stop — The wait for “Plan” is over - complete the challenge to stop it.
  3. The challenge is unlocked for five minutes. Complete it and the plan stops; miss the window and choosing Stop again starts a new wait.
The wait keeps counting if the plan is paused, and FocusMe won’t offer a pause while a stop countdown is running. With stopping set to Enforced, Stop leads to Assisted Stop instead.

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Editing Running Plans

You can edit a plan while it’s running — but only to make it stricter. You can switch an interval’s rule mode to Block, choose a stricter website block action, lengthen a Quick Timer, raise a challenge level, or reduce pause limits. Anything that would weaken the plan is snapped back. If you have accountability partners, weakening changes are sent to them for approval instead (These changes will require approval from an accountability partner before they can be applied.).

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Assisted Stop

If you’re locked out by a protected plan and genuinely need to regain access, Assisted Stop lets someone else approve stopping it. Right-click the plan and choose Assisted Stop, or click Assisted Stop on the break screen.

The Assisted Stop dialog

The dialog asks you to Select plans to request an assisted stop for: — tick the protected plans you want stopped — and to give a Reason: (Your partner or FocusMe may require a reason to approve your request). Then choose who approves it:
  • Your accountability partners — with partners configured, the main button sends the request to them. They can approve it by email or give you a code to enter. Partners are active 24 hours after being added; stop all plans to activate them immediately. If you have no partner yet, the button reads Add Accountability Partner instead and takes you to Settings > Accountability.
  • Send Request to FocusMe — the link beneath the button sends the request to the FocusMe team instead. Plans stop automatically when the request is approved. FocusMe does not provide 24/7 support, so an accountability partner is the faster route; support may also reduce the plan’s protection or set a custom password rather than stopping it outright.
If you find yourself asking for assisted stops regularly, loosen the plan’s protection instead.

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Tips for Effective Protection

  1. Climb the ladder. Start on Gentle Guidance, move to Firm but Flexible, then Lock it Down. Only reach for Enforced once you trust your schedule.
  2. Test before committing. Run a plan on Unlocked for a day to check its targets, schedule and rule mode, then raise the protection.
  3. Set an end date. With Enforced stopping on a 24/7 weekly schedule and no end date, the plan can never be stopped — the wizard warns you, so heed it.
  4. Use pause limits as a middle ground. Firm but Flexible gives you three 15-minute pauses a day: relief when you need it, without a free exit.
  5. Lock your accountability partners. If you rely on Partner Override, use Lock Accountability Partners in Settings > Accountability so you can’t quietly add a more lenient one.
  6. Add a financial cost. A Self-Imposed Penalty can charge you when you use an assisted stop.
See the step-by-step guide →