What is Desktop App Blocking?
Desktop app blocking enables Freedom to hide, or even quit, desktop apps during your Freedom session. This means that you can block your access to mail clients, games, music streaming, editing software, word processors, and more.
How to use Desktop App Blocking
To access your blocked apps list on Mac, click Manage Blocked Desktop Apps in the Freedom dropdown menu.
Next, a window will open up which allows you to select the apps you want to block. Click on the apps you'd like to block, and then click Save.
Finally, visit your dashboard and add Desktop Apps to your session under Block these distractions. Freedom will block your selected desktop apps when this blocklist is on your session.
Let's Recap
To block apps on Mac, you need to:
Select the apps you wish to block with the Freedom desktop app menu.
Add Desktop Apps to your session.
When you run a Freedom session containing this blocklist, the app blocking feature will turn on.
Hiding vs. Quitting Apps
Desktop app blocking on Mac, by default, will hide blocked apps instead of fully quitting them. If you'd like Freedom to fully quit the apps on your blocklist, you can choose Kill Blocked Apps in the Freedom desktop menu under Options.
Please use caution with this setting. Killing the app could result in unsaved work if a Freedom session starts while you are working in an app you wish to block.
Please Note:
You must select the apps you wish to block individually on your devices. The apps you choose to block on your desktop only affect that device.
You won't be able to remove selected apps from the blocked apps list if you are running an active session that includes Desktop Apps and you have Locked Mode enabled from the Freedom desktop app menu > Options.
About Progressive Web Apps
Some browsers allow you to create a Progressive Web App (PWA) or a "web app shortcut" for a website, which behaves like a standalone application. However, web apps are essentially websites running in a separate container. Since they function as websites rather than true desktop applications, they may bypass Freedom's desktop app-blocking method, even though they resemble traditional apps.
To block this type of app, you’ll need to ensure that Freedom's proxy mode is enabled:
Go to the Freedom menu and ensure "non-proxy" mode and "website exceptions" are disabled.
Ensure the web app's corresponding website is on your blocklist
Optionally, use desktop app blocking to block the browser that the web app is opening in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one list of blocked desktop apps?
No, at this time desktop app blocking only supports one list of blocked desktop apps. This list is applied anytime you select "block desktop apps" for your session.
What do I do if I can't find an app in the window that appears to select apps?
If you don't see an app listed in the window, simply open the app you want to block on your device, the app will then appear in the list and you can select it.
Download Freedom for Mac
Having trouble?
If you're having any difficulty, please feel free to contact us. We're happy to help!