# Hardcore Focus — What will you get done today?

> Productivity app for focused, deep work on a single task. (iPhone/iPad app by Eric Kuhn.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardcore-focus/id6746370343 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Eric Kuhn](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686292395)
- Category: Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 11 App Store ratings · 11 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 17 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-01-27
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardcore-focus/id6746370343/reviews.md

## What is Hardcore Focus?

Less phone. More life.

Your phone is stealing your time. Hardcore Focus helps you take it back — block the apps that distract you, do real deep work, and build habits that fill the time you reclaim. No vanity metrics, no endless lists. Three things that actually move your life forward: block, focus, repeat.

BLOCK THE NOISE
Shield blocks your most distracting apps with Screen Time — on a schedule, during a focus session, or always on. You choose how hard it is to get back in:
- No Bypass — locked is locked
- 15-Minute Bypass — one short, deliberate exception
- The Gatekeeper — argue your case to a skeptical on-device AI before it grants a timed exception. Weak excuse? Denied.

DO DEEP WORK
Start a focus session in one tap and work for as long as you want — no countdown, just an open timer that runs until you're done. Block distracting apps for the session, track every time your attention slips, and watch your daily focus goal fill up. Pause, resume, and keep the screen awake while you're in the zone.

BUILD HABITS THAT STICK
Track daily habits and routines by time of day. Check them off, count repetitions, or run timed habits with a built-in timer. Some habits track themselves — link them to Apple Health or to time spent in productive apps. Keep your streak alive and unlock achievements as the days add up.

EVERYTHING ELSE
- Tasks & lists — plan your day and import from Apple Reminders
- Apple Watch — start sessions, complete habits, and check streaks from your wrist
- Siri & Shortcuts — "Start a focus session," "Mark off my habit," hands-free
- Widgets, Live Activities & Dynamic Island — your focus, one glance away
- Complete habits from the Lock Screen, Control Center, or a widget
- On-device AI insights into your focus patterns
- Apple Music focus playlists, right inside your session
- A Shutdown ritual to close the day and plan tomorrow
- Detailed analytics and a productivity score
- iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad & Apple Watch

PRIVATE BY DESIGN
Zero data collection. The AI runs entirely on-device with Apple Intelligence — your data never leaves your phone, and anything you sync stays in your own iCloud.

SUBSCRIPTION
Hardcore Focus requires a subscription to unlock the full app. Start with a 7-day free trial, then pick your plan: Weekly ($3.99), Monthly ($8.99), or Annual ($49.99 — best value). Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings.

Terms: https://www.hardcorefocus.com/terms
Privacy: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdfla/

## Key features

- Single daily task focus
- 2-hour deep work timer
- Distracting app blocking
- Distraction tracking
- Progress logging
- Streaks and achievements
- Widgets and Live Activities

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hardcore Focus Pro Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| Hardcore Focus Pro Monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| Hardcore Focus Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 11)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardcore-focus/id6746370343/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Happy

*2026-04-24*

This app is all I was looking for

### 5/5 — Helpful

*2026-04-21*

This app help me a lot in my homeschool

### 5/5 — Good for kids too

*2026-04-19*

Works well for kids to get their reading done without the internet distractions.

### 5/5 — Five Stars !!

*2026-04-19*

Exactly what I was looking for ! Helps me achieve my goals throughout the week.

### 5/5 — So far , loving it!

*2026-04-12*

Easy to use !

### 5/5 — So far so good

*2026-04-05*

Great app for focus .

### 5/5 — One thing that matters

*2026-02-26*

I used to use an app like this 10+ years ago where you would put in only one to do task per day. It kept me really focused on the main thing I needed to do for the day. Hardcore Focus also lets me put my phone into focus mode and block out all distracting apps so I can stay in the zone.

### 5/5 — Mental clarity

*2026-02-07*

As a busy homeschool mom, my days are really full — lesson planning, teaching, house stuff, and keeping two active boys on track. Honestly, staying focused has always been hard for me because I’m always thinking about the next thing I need to do.
That’s why I decided to try Hardcore Focus, and I was actually surprised by how much I liked it.
It helps with mental clarity and focus. For me, it just feels like my brain is more “organized.” I can stick to what I’m doing instead of jumping from one thing to another all the time.

### 5/5 — Efficient and Simple

*2026-01-30*

This app is truly the combination of simple and efficient. It is simple to use , which makes it easy to add to my daily routine. I’ve been looking for a way to maximize my productivity and remove distractions while working on specific tasks ( we all have that 2026 New Year revolutions list ), and since using Hardcore I have been able to achieve it. I look forward to the end year to look back at my log to see all that I was able to accomplish using my time wisely.

### 5/5 — super helpful

*2026-01-27*

Really like this app. Hardcore keeps me on track with my daily tasks without being complicated. Super helpful.

## Frequently asked questions about Hardcore Focus

### What is Hardcore Focus?

Hardcore Focus is a productivity app designed to help you complete one meaningful task within a two-hour, distraction-free session. It emphasizes finishing real work over managing endless to-do lists.

### How does Hardcore Focus block distractions?

Hardcore Focus utilizes your device's Screen Time settings to block distracting apps. It also features a 'Focus Shield' to discourage attempts to bypass these blocks.

### Does Hardcore Focus have ads?

No, Hardcore Focus is ad-free. The app is free to download and use, with optional Pro features available via subscription.

### What are the Pro features in Hardcore Focus?

Pro features include an AI Coach for feedback on work patterns, a brown noise generator for focus, detailed analytics, and iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

### How does Hardcore Focus track progress?

The app logs what you actually 'shipped' or accomplished during your focus sessions, rather than just tracking planned tasks. It also offers streaks and over 30 badges for achievements.

### Is Hardcore Focus available on multiple devices?

Yes, Hardcore Focus is available on iPhone and iPad. Pro features offer iCloud sync for a seamless experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

### How often is Hardcore Focus updated?

The app was last updated on January 27, 2026, with version 1.0. Specific update frequency is not detailed, but it is actively developed.

### What is the age rating for Hardcore Focus?

Hardcore Focus has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. Its focus on productivity is designed for individuals looking to enhance their work habits.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 2.01 — 2026-06-18

NEW: Read It Later
Share any article to Hardcore Focus and read it later in a clean, offline, distraction-free reader. Inbox, Archive, and iCloud sync included.

NEW: Listen to Your Articles
Every saved article can now be read aloud with natural voices — with sentence highlighting and speed control. Pick up right where you paused.

### 2.0 — 2026-06-14

What's New

The Gatekeeper is here.
Try to open a blocked app and you'll meet a new bypass mode: instead of one easy tap, you argue your case to a skeptical on-device AI that only grants a timed exception if you've earned it. No more mindless "just 15 more minutes."

Also new:
- Apple Watch — start focus sessions, complete habits, and track streaks from your wrist
- Siri & Shortcuts — start a session or mark off a habit by voice
- Complete habits from the Lock Screen, Control Center, or a widget
- Smarter on-device notifications that actually sound like you
- GTD-style lists for organizing tasks from Apple Reminders
- Faster habits, smoother timers, and dozens of fixes under the hood

Everything still runs on-device and syncs privately through iCloud.

### 1.0 — 2026-01-27

No release notes.

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## More apps by Eric Kuhn

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All apps by Eric Kuhn: https://appshunter.io/developer/1686292395

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*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 2026-08-14.*