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The Commons: Students

The Commons: Students

Lets disconnect to reconnect

230 ratings
77 reviews
📚 Education
📊 Productivity
Free

Details

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

Features

Developer

The Commons, Inc.
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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
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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.

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User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Bad app

They say they can’t see ur location but ask for location perms.
Not Noah1234Not Noah1234

Poorly made, controlling

This app just doesn’t work well at all, bans every app on my phone INCLUDING the weather app and my clock. The geofence system doesn’t seem to work so great either, since when I drive by my school it will shut everything down as if i’m on campus. I hope you rethink this sorry app and take it down
BAN COMMONSBAN COMMONS

Yall suck

Whoever made this dogsht needs to find self worth n love
go fish mastergo fish master

strongly dislike

i feel there are way better ways to limit phone usage in schools, this is simply invasive to students and their privacy and i don’t think schools should use it :(
lemonhead67lemonhead67

Stupid idea

This app doesn’t even work. It tracks my precise location from my house to my school, yet it only turns off long after I left my school. It doesn’t let me send texts, and turns off everything on my phone, thus making it useless. I often need to contact people within a moments notice, and when I am on campus, I can’t do that. This app has so many problems, I’m surprised it’s not being published under the title of a prototype. They can say what they want, but this app is idiotic. The only it has reconnected my school is that we all despise it, because it doesn’t work, and is a stupid idea. I would humbly ask the devs to immediately remove this stupid attempt of an app
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EndcappEndcapp
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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.