Setup Requirements
Accessibility Permission
FocusMe requires Accessibility permission to detect which application is in the foreground and read window titles.
To grant permission:
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
- Click the lock icon to make changes
- Enable FocusMe in the list
- If FocusMe isn’t listed, click + and add it from Applications
Without Accessibility permission, FocusMe cannot detect or block applications. Website blocking via the browser extension will still work, but app blocking will not.
Supported Macs
FocusMe runs natively on:
- Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) — native ARM build
- Intel Macs — native x86 build
The app ships as a universal binary, so it runs natively on both architectures without Rosetta.
Minimum version: macOS 12 (Monterey)
macOS-Specific Behaviour
Dock Integration
FocusMe can run as a background application (no Dock icon). Click the menu bar icon to access the app.
Keeping FocusMe Running
FocusMe launches at login automatically. The app must be running for blocking to work — quitting the app disables blocking (unless protected).
Browser Extension
Install the browser extension for the most reliable website blocking on macOS.
Troubleshooting
”FocusMe wants to control this computer”
This is the Accessibility permission prompt. You must grant it for app blocking to work. See setup instructions above.
App blocking not working
- Check Accessibility permission is granted
- If you recently updated macOS, you may need to re-grant the permission
- Restart FocusMe after granting permission
FocusMe not starting at login
- Open System Settings → General → Login Items
- Add FocusMe to the list
