1. Home
  2. 📚 Education
  3. The Commons
The Commons: Students

The Commons: Students

Lets disconnect to reconnect

230 ratings
100 reviews
📚 Education
📊 Productivity
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • July 15, 2025
  • August 17, 2026

Features

Background Location Access

Developer

The Commons, Inc.
✨Promote your app ✨
The Commons: Students screenshot #1 for iPhone
The Commons: Students screenshot #2 for iPhone
The Commons: Students screenshot #3 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
📌Ready
Reviews summary↘︎
⭐100
Reviews↘︎
📝5+ tags
Tags↘︎
🔄6+ apps
Alternatives↘︎
❓5 answered
FAQ↘︎
📦~ in 2 weeks
Updates frequency↘︎
🖼️Get Icon
Icons↘︎

About

This app helps students stay focused during school hours by pausing access to distracting apps like social media and games. It automatically activates at school and deactivates when the day ends, ensuring essential academic and communication apps remain accessible. It prioritizes privacy with no tracking or data collection.

✓Automatic focus activation at school
✓Blocks distracting apps during school hours
✓Keeps essential academic apps accessible
✓Privacy-first with no tracking
✓Builds stronger tech habits
Show original description

What users say

Summarized from real user reviews of The Commons. Based on 230 reviews and a 1.3/5 average, it highlights the 1 positive and 4 negatives reviewers mention most about this Education app.

Positive things

  • 💡Helps students focus on school work

Negative things

  • 🚫Blocks access to social media and communication apps
  • 🔒Privacy concerns with VPN and data tracking
  • 🐛Causes issues with phone functionality
  • 🤬Perceived as an unnecessary and intrusive app
See all reviews

What's New in The Commons

1.2.0

August 17, 2026

This update makes it easier than ever to get connected with improved school sign in, enhancements to School Mode, and performance improvements designed to create a smoother, more consistent experience throughout the school day.

More

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

No calls available

It says it lets you call but then you have to approve it and it says it’s an error and it probably be safe too if it let you text but just like your mom or dad and emergency contacts. It would better if it actually let us call. Lairs
Vanessa.t.dVanessa.t.d

Sketchy school app

This app is very sketchy since currently it shows a 1.5 star review overall!! And that when setting it up it wants your location and wants it to where it can force it to stay on. It also wants to use VPN configuration where it controls your VPN. That’s an automatic red flag if an app is asking for VPN configuration. So don’t download it otherwise your stuff may get a virus on it.

P.S. To apple please remove any app that asks for your VPN because it’s most likely trying to get your information Especially this one!
Show more
Dread prowlerDread prowler

Does not work

Even when I’m outside of school it makes it so I can’t use my apps
At figuredAt figured

Bad app

Literally the worst app ever can’t even listen to music, or go on any app terrible for mental health, I rebuke
Georgina rorgeGeorgina rorge

Hate it

I do not like how it can track me from place to place and many of my friends have bad experiences with this app would not recommend
Peighton.sPeighton.s
See 95 more reviews

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

2 issues

VPN doesn't work properly when traveling

Bug

Slows down messaging and other apps

Bug
✨

Requested Features

3 requests

Allow access to certain apps during school hours

Feature

Improve VPN functionality when traveling

Feature

Provide more transparency on data collection and usage

Feature

FAQ

What does The Commons app do?

The Commons is a privacy-first app designed to help students stay focused during school hours. It automatically pauses access to distracting applications such as social media and games, while ensuring that academic, medical, and critical communication apps remain functional. This allows students to reconnect with their studies and peers without the constant temptation of their phones.

How does the app help me focus in class?

The app automatically activates when you arrive at school and blocks access to distracting apps during school hours. It is designed to prevent you from missing what matters in class by cutting down on distractions without cutting off essential communication. This helps you build stronger tech habits and improve your overall focus.

Is the app free to use?

Yes, the app is free to use. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, and it is offered as a free service to help students improve their focus and academic performance.

What device permissions does the app require and why?

The app requires Location, Notification, Motion, and VPN permissions to function. Location permission helps detect presence within the school zone to activate features only during school hours, without continuous tracking. VPN permission establishes a secure connection to filter distracting content during school hours without logging browsing history. These permissions are used strictly for technical functionality and are never used to collect personal content or track movement outside of school zones.

Can I still use important apps like my school portal or messaging apps?

Yes, the app is designed to keep school-approved apps and essential tools available. While it blocks distracting apps like social media and games, it ensures that your academic, medical, and critical communication apps remain functional, supporting your growth without restricting your independence.