Focus Mode leaves Digital Wellbeing beta, gains handy new features

Google brought Focus Mode to its Digital Wellbeing suite back in August, giving you another way to stay productive. The function was initially available in beta, but it’s now available as a stable release and has gained a few new features too.

Focus Mode allows you to mark specific apps as distracting, preventing you from launching them when the mode is enabled. Need access to those apps for whatever reason? Then you can simply disable Focus Mode or remove it from the list of distracting apps.

Google announced Focus Mode’s stable release and detailed a few new additions in a press release. The first new feature is the ability to create a schedule for the mode. Check out the GIF below for an idea of what to expect:

“For example, we’ve added an option to automatically turn Focus Mode on and off for the days and times that you choose (e.g. from 9AM to 5PM on weekdays). This is especially handy for setting daily schedules; you can minimize distractions during the hours you’re at work, school or home,” the company explained.

Finished your work early and want to access those distracting apps? Google says you can end Focus Mode and it’ll resume in line with your schedule the next day.

Google also added the ability to take a break of up to 30 minutes without actually having to exit Focus Mode (seen below). This seems pretty handy if you’re on a lunch break or have any other downtime during work/school.

Google says Focus Mode is available for all Android 9 and Android 10 devices that already have Digital Wellbeing and parental controls. Do you use the Digital Wellbeing suite on your phone? Let us know in the comments section.