# Digital Habits: Focus — Hide distractions on any site > Safari browser extension to hide distracting website elements and improve focus. (iPhone/iPad app by Centre for Digital Habits CIC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-habits-focus/id1660218371 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Centre for Digital Habits CIC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1881631970) - Category: Productivity, Lifestyle - Price: Free (on sale, was $1.99) - Rating: 4.90/5 from 14 App Store ratings · 15 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 4 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2022-12-17 - Data updated: 2026-08-16 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-habits-focus/id1660218371/reviews.md ## What is Digital Habits? *NOTE: WORKS WITHIN SAFARI, NOT THE APPS*: This app lets you control how YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. appears in the Safari browser. It does NOT change the apps, as this is not possible. To make using e.g. Instagram in the browser as convenient as the app, create an icon on your home screen to take you directly to the site in the browser. You can find instructions for how to do so when you open the app. ---- Digital Habits: Focus (formerly known as 'ReDD Focus', 'Viking Focus' and 'MindShield') is a browser extension for Safari we built to help ourselves be less distracted online. It primarily lets you hide distracting elements on any website, with ready-made options for YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit, Google Search, and WhatsApp Web. For example, on YouTube you might want to hide recommended videos, on Facebook you might hide the newsfeed, and on Google Search you might want to hide AI summaries. You have full control over what is hidden. Simply click the extension icon in the browser toolbar to select elements to hide, and save your preferred settings. To help hold yourself accountable, you can also add a delay time to change the settings. You can also delay opening of distracting websites, make any website greyscale to reduce its allure, and set up redirects from one website to somewhere else to keep your online use intentional. Everywhere you go on the internet, something tries to grab your attention. This extension gives you back control. Enjoy! - Ulrik, Konrad, Tiago, and the Centre for Digital Habits Team (see what we're up to at digitalhabits.org) NOTE: the extension is open source and collects zero user data. See the source code, flag bugs, or submit suggestions for improvement at https://github.com/ulyngs/digital-habits-focus ## Key features - Hide distracting website elements - Customizable settings for any website - Pre-made options for popular sites - Add delay to settings changes - Open-source and privacy-focused - Home screen icon creation for browser access ## Recent user reviews (10 of 15) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-habits-focus/id1660218371/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Helped me quit my screen addiction *2026-01-02* I’m so glad I have been able to finally stop getting sucked into a rabbit hole every time I open YouTube. Sometimes I use YouTube for college, so I didn’t want to block it outright. With this, I was able to hide all the distracting elements like the feed and up next videos. Now I only spent time on there when I want to. I should mention that this works on other websites too. I mean you could like block anything on any website. I tried it with reddit and it worked great. Also, it saves your preferences, so the next time you open the page, it will have already removed the same things you removed last time. Also, it’s completely free. ### 5/5 — Works great so far *2025-11-20* Was looking for a robust blocker on my MacBook since I mainly use Safari on it. Works great, would love to see a more robust Reddit implementation. ### 5/5 — Simple and brilliant *2025-08-21* I found this app via always excellent Macrumors as I was looking for a way to hide Google’s AI Overview. The app lets the user hide distracting elements on webpages, on both Mac and iPhone. It’s very easy to do by simply selecting the undesired elements on a page. In the latest update one can even more easily hide Google’s AI Overview by ticking the dedicated box in the settings. I had contact with the developer Ulrik Lyngs about the possibility to hide the AI Overview and was very happy about how responsive he and the team behind the app were to make this possible. It should be noted that there’s science behind the app’s functionality in terms of removing distractions online. It’s an app that can make a real difference to one’s digital life and I highly recommend it. ### 5/5 — Simple and brilliant *2025-08-20* I found this app via always excellent Macrumors as I was looking for a way to hide Google’s AI Overview. The app lets the user hide distracting elements on webpages, on both Mac and iPhone. It’s very easy to do by simply selecting the undesired elements on a page. In the latest update one can even more easily hide Google’s AI Overview by ticking the dedicated box in the settings. I had contact with the developer Ulrik Lyngs about the possibility to hide the AI Overview and was very happy about how responsive he and the team behind the app were to make this possible. It should be noted that there’s science behind the app’s functionality in terms of removing distractions online. It’s an app that can make a real difference to one’s digital life and I highly recommend it. ### 1/5 — Not worth it *2025-05-16, version 2.4* Didnt work at all ### 5/5 — Great app, but a minor problem *2025-01-06* The application is great and all, but unfortunately the promised functions dont work on LinkedIn or just very limited. The feed on LinkedIn is not hidden. Still a great application and I am sure the developers will soon fix this minor issue. ps. eventough the application is free now I would gladly pay 1,99€ for it. **Developer response:** Thanks for flagging this, I'll look into what's going on! (Feel free to also open an issue on the GitHub repository and I'll review the workings on LinkedIn for the next update: https://github.com/ulyngs/mindshield-open-source/issues ) Best, Ulrik ### 5/5 — necessity *2024-12-31* I love this app so much its ridiculous, gave me my life back ### 3/5 — only works for insta website *2024-11-17* the screenshots make it look like it works for the apps themselves, but i couldn’t find a way to get it to work on anything except the web browser version which i don’t like using bc it has significant limitations in what/how you can post… not bad at what it does, but just a little misleading ### 5/5 — It’s value nothing which in Return Give *2024-07-25* It’s really work great on YouTube, I already escaped from Facebook and Insta by not making account but YouTube is different and difficult this Extension Save lots time, hope it remains like this till I completely become self control independent, till then it’s great help by developers to us I am Student it’s helping me thanks ### 5/5 — This app is saving my career in medicine. *2024-06-27* I’m a resident physician. YouTube was destroying my productivity. This app is giving me back my freedom while still allowing me to access YouTube like a non-addict. Thank you SO MUCH to the creators. Honestly, I would have paid a whole lot more to the creators for the app if I knew what it was going to do. I feel so free! And now, if I turn off the extension, I’m starting to notice that all the suggestions that normally come up on YouTube are really unpleasantly triggering, like “oh God, the black hole, shut it off, SHUT IT OFF NOW!!! RUUUNNNN!!!!” and I immediately turn the extension back on. I like my freedom too much. I think I’m just gonna keep the extension on. I’m happier that way. And it’s weird, I didn’t realize how seeing so many video suggestions can be literally psychologically overwhelming after having a period away from it all. It’s trippy. I hate black hole social media. But I love a YouTube that has been “de-slotmachined”. It’s a literal lifesaver. THANK YOU!!!! ## Frequently asked questions about Digital Habits ### Does ReDD Focus work on mobile apps? No, ReDD Focus is a browser extension for Safari and works within the browser, not on native mobile apps. It allows you to control how websites appear in Safari, not how apps function. ### What platforms does ReDD Focus support? ReDD Focus is available on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, as long as you are using the Safari browser. ### How does ReDD Focus handle ads? ReDD Focus does not have advertisements. The app is free and does not contain any ads, allowing for an uninterrupted user experience. ### Is ReDD Focus free to use? Yes, ReDD Focus is completely free to use. There are no costs associated with downloading or using its features. ### How often is ReDD Focus updated? The latest version, 5.3, was last updated on January 18, 2026. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, the project is open-source, suggesting community involvement in improvements. ### What do users like about ReDD Focus? Users appreciate its effectiveness in blocking distractions and its open-source nature. The app has a high rating of 4.8 stars from 9 ratings, indicating positive user sentiment. ### Can I create a shortcut to access ReDD Focus easily? Yes, you can create an icon on your home screen that directs you to a specific website within Safari, making it as convenient as using a native app. Instructions are provided within the extension. ### Is ReDD Focus safe to use? ReDD Focus is open-source and collects zero user data, making it a safe and privacy-conscious tool. Its age rating is 4+, suitable for a wide range of users. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 6.9.1 — 2026-08-06 Hi folks, This update comes with some helpful improvements! - Meet Digital Habits: Focus! Renamed from ReDD Focus (also formerly Viking Focus / MindShield) as part of the move from the Reduce Digital Distraction (ReDD) Project to Centre for Digital Habits (digitalhabits.org). - "Digital Habits: Blocker": In-app references to the companion desktop blocker now use its new Digital Habits: Blocker name. - "digitalhabits.org protected": The Centre for Digital Habits site is treated as a protected host so Focus does not hide or redirect it. Please keep suggesting improvements to the app - you can do so at https://github.com/ulyngs/digital-habits-focus We hope you're enjoying Digital Habits: Focus! - Ulrik, Tiago, & the Centre for Digital Habits Team (digitalhabits.org) ### 6.8.0 — 2026-07-28 Hi folks, This update comes with some exciting new features and helpful improvements! Delay opening distracting websites: - "Delay before a site opens": Take a breath and consider your intention online by choosing to delay opening certain websites. Toggle it per site from the Custom section. - "Configurable delay length": Choose a delay between 5 and 600 seconds (default 10). - "Shared unlock / delay message": The Settings “Unlock / delay message” appears on both the unlock countdown and the delay screen (default: “What's your intention?”). Redirects to another page / website - "Redirects when you open a website": Redirect yourself to either another page on the website via a relative link (e.g. /feed/subscriptions) or to another website (e.g. wikipedia.org). Toggle and add a redirect for the current website from the Custom section. - "Redirects at a glance": See active redirects to your current page. Edit or delete them as you wish. - "Infinite redirect protection": Redirects from site A to site B will not be allowed if there is already a redirect from site B to site A. Other improvements: - "Accessibility improvements": Extension-wide improvements for keyboard-only users. - "Collapsible Custom section": Custom collapses by default on sites that already have pre-configured hide options, and expands by default on other sites; the open/closed state is remembered per site. - "Custom section chrome": Eyebrow and chevron alignment cleaned up for the collapsible Custom header. - "Theme (was Appearance)": Settings rename Appearance → Theme, with a chevron control and a tighter hit target on the selector. - "UK greyscale spelling": Greyscale uses the UK spelling consistently. - "Secondary text spacing": Line spacing and size for helper copy (e.g. YouTube preview tips) are easier to read when text wraps. - "Numeric keyboard for number fields": Delay and similar numeric inputs use the numeric keyboard where appropriate. - "Sheet no longer jumps to full height": Typing in popup inputs no longer forces the iOS sheet to expand to its maximum height. Please keep suggesting improvements to the app - you can do so at https://github.com/ulyngs/reddfocus-open-source We hope you're enjoying ReDD Focus! - Ulrik, Tiago, & the Centre for Digital Habits Team (digitalhabits.org) ### 6.7.0 — 2026-07-22 Hi folks, This update comes with some key improvements: - fixed the footer design in the extension popup - restored and improved scroll behaviour when selectors have visual overflow - improved design of the popup throughout - "Leave a review" now correctly opens up the App Store - when installing the app, initialisation opens YouTube in Safari instead of opening the YouTube app Remember ReDD Focus is open source - keep the feedback coming at https://github.com/ulyngs/redd-focus-web Cheers, Ulrik, Tiago, & the Centre for Digital Habits Team (digitalhabits.org) ### 6.6.0 — 2026-07-16 Hi folks, This update comes with some exciting new features and improvements: - Settings lock is now available on any website, not just predefined platforms - Redesigned the lock confirmation and improved functionality - Fixed misleading "needs to initialise" copy on unsupported pages (e.g. chrome://) — the popup now shows a clear message instead Remember ReDD Focus is open source -- keep the feedback coming at https://github.com/ulyngs/redd-focus-web Cheers, Ulrik & the ReDD Team ### 6.5.0 — 2026-07-08 Hi folks, This update comes with some exciting new features and improvements: - Grayscale: on any website, there is now a button to turn that website into grayscale, reducing its allure and how distracting it can be - 'Lock' mode: instead of having a delay to hold you accountable when opening the extension, you can now 'Lock' a website's settings. This means that any elements hidden will not be able to be shown again unless 'unlocking', which requires waiting for the customisable accountability delay to end. - Several design improvements on iOS - Improvements to how hiding custom elements work on iOS, making it more stable Remember ReDD Focus is open source -- keep the feedback coming at https://github.com/ulyngs/redd-focus-web Cheers, Ulrik & the ReDD Team ## Apps similar to Digital Habits | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Note Taking App - Spaces](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-taking-app-spaces/id1509611686) | 4.1 (80) | Free | Productivity | | [NeatNotes : Notes and lists](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/neatnotes-notes-and-lists/id1672575304) | 5.0 (33) | Free | Productivity | | [Documents & PDF Scanner - Fyle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/documents-and-pdf-scanner-fyle/id6740039121) | 4.6 (60) | Free | Productivity | | [Focus: Lofi Study Music](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-lofi-study-music/id1603612890) | 4.7 (48) | Free | Productivity | | [Business Card Digital Scanner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/business-card-digital-scanner/id6482481283) | 4.4 (41) | Free | Productivity | | [Habit Time Tracker - Flowtic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/habit-time-tracker-flowtic/id6743240260) | 4.6 (7) | Free | Productivity | ## More apps by Centre for Digital Habits CIC - [ReDD Blocker: Space for Focus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/redd-blocker-space-for-focus/id6759917048) All apps by Centre for Digital Habits CIC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1881631970 ## Related topics [distraction free instagram](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/distraction-free-instagram) · [no distractions](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/no-distractions) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-16.*