What do I need to run it?

A Mac running macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. Works on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

Download the file, open it, and drag Intentional into your Applications folder. It's signed and notarized by Apple, so it opens with a single click — no scary warnings.

Does it block websites in any browser?

It works with Safari, Chrome, Arc, Brave, and Edge by gently redirecting you away from blocked sites during a session.

Will it slow down my Mac?

No. Intentional is a lightweight native app that sits quietly in your menu bar.

Does it send my data anywhere?

Your focus settings and history stay on your Mac. Integrations like Google Calendar and Slack only connect when you choose to turn them on.

How do I get updates?

Intentional updates itself automatically — you'll always have the latest version. (You can also check manually from the app menu.)

Focus app for Mac

Focus intentionally. Block distractions.

Intentional is a distraction blocker for macOS that shuts out the apps and websites pulling you away — automatically, the moment a focus session starts. Set your intention once, and your Mac keeps you honest.

or download directly for macOS (.dmg)

Requires macOS 14 or later · Apple Silicon & Intel

Intentional focus session timer with blocked apps on macOS

The problem

You don't have a discipline problem. You have a distraction problem.

Every "quick check" of Slack, every reflexive tab to YouTube, every app that begs for your attention — it all adds up. Studies say it takes 20+ minutes to refocus after an interruption. Most days, you never get there.

Intentional removes the choice in the moment, so you don't have to win the same willpower fight a hundred times a day.

Focus sessions

Start your intentional focus session

Pick your task, set a duration, and Intentional locks down everything that gets in the way. One click and the noise is gone.

Intentional focus session setup on macOS with a 25 minute timer and a grid of blocked apps and websites

Deep work

Stay locked on one task

A single task on screen, a calm countdown, and room for subtasks and notes — so you always know what you're doing next.

Intentional deep work view with a countdown timer, subtask checklist and notes panel

Blocking

Distracting sites and apps? Blocked.

Wander off and Intentional catches it instantly. Instead of the feed, you see what you're focusing on and how long is left.

Browser showing the Intentional site blocked screen with the current focus task and remaining time

Calendar aware

See how much time you can focus today

Intentional reads your day and tells you exactly how much uninterrupted time is left between meetings.

Intentional popover showing today's meetings and the free focus time between them

Blocked apps

Block the apps that pull you away

Slack, WhatsApp, mail, anything. If it opens during a session, Intentional quietly closes it again.

Blocked Apps settings in Intentional listing Slack, WhatsApp, Spark and VS Code

Blocked websites

Block the sites that steal your time

Add whole domains or single pages — block LinkedIn's feed while keeping your inbox. Works in Safari, Chrome, Arc, Brave and Edge.

Blocked Websites settings in Intentional listing social media and news sites

Slack

Slack status updates itself while you focus

Your status and emoji switch on when a session starts and clear when it ends, so teammates know you're heads-down.

Slack integration settings in Intentional with an automatic focus session status

Google Calendar

Your focus, right on your calendar

Sessions sync straight to Google Calendar, so your focused time is visible and protected like any other meeting.

Google Calendar sync settings in Intentional for focus sessions and meetings

Appearance

Beautiful in light and dark

Follow macOS or pick your own. Intentional looks calm and at home either way.

Intentional appearance settings with system, light and dark color schemes

Features

An app and website blocker built to keep distractions out, automatically.

Everything you need to do deep work on your Mac — nothing you don't.

Timed focus sessions

Start a session, set your intention, and go. A clear timer keeps you anchored to the work in front of you.

Always-on focus widget

A subtle floating reminder of what you're focusing on and how much time is left — visible without getting in your way.

Focus presets

Save your setups — "Deep Work," "Writing," "No Social" — and start the right block list in one click.

See your focus add up

Session history, points and streaks turn focused time into visible progress, so showing up every day actually feels like it counts.

Menu bar control

Start, pause, and check your session right from the macOS menu bar — no window switching required.

Private by design

Your blocklists, sessions and notes stay on your Mac. Nothing about your focus habits leaves your machine.

How it works

Three steps, then quiet.

01
Choose what to block.
Select the apps and sites that pull you off track — or load a saved preset.
02
Start a focus session.
Set your timer and your intention. Intentional takes it from there.
03
Do the work.
Distractions are handled in the background. You just focus — and watch your focused hours add up.

Why Intentional

Calm, deliberate, out of the way.

No willpower required.

The blocking happens automatically, in the moment — not "are you sure you want to open this?"

Lives on your Mac, not in the cloud.

Your focus settings stay on your machine.

Built for real workflows.

Calendar-aware, Slack-aware, and out of your way.

Quietly always-on.

A menu bar app and a floating widget — present when you need it, invisible when you don't.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Curious about the alternatives? How to block websites on a Mac · Choosing a focus app for Mac

Get started

Reclaim your focus today.

Intentional is a free download for Mac. Set your intention once — and let your Mac keep the distractions out.

Download for Mac — Free

macOS 14+ · Apple Silicon & Intel · Updates automatically