Opal helps you manage your relationship with screen time. If you’re brand new to Opal and would like to block apps on your device, here’s how to get started! Blocking in Opal works via Rules. You pick the apps and websites you want blocked, and the Rule implements the block. There are four kinds of Rules, and they include:
- Session: blocks apps immediately
- Schedule: blocks apps during set hours on set days (for example, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays)
- Time Limit**: **this is a daily allowance; the app blocks once you have used your daily allowance up
- Open Limit**: **this is a cap on how many times a day you may open an app
To create any type of Rule, follow these steps:
- Tap on “My Apps”
- Tap “+” in the top right corner
- Select “Session,” “Schedule,” “Time Limit,” or “Open Limit”
You’re also welcome to use our features that designate apps as Always Allowed, Never Allowed, and Distracting. These features work in the following way:
- Always Allowed: With Opal’s Always Allowed feature, you may dictate which apps or websites must always be available on your device. This may be especially helpful for apps related to health, banking, public transit, music, and the like.
- Never Allowed: With Opal’s Never Allowed feature, you may choose which apps or websites must never be available on your device. This may be especially helpful for adult-content, gambling, and the like. Apps or websites designed as “Never Allowed” will be permanently blocked, and this will supersede any Schedule, Time Limit, Open Limit, and your Always Allowed list.
- Distracting: If you’d like Opal to intervene on apps and websites that are Distracting, you may do so via the “My Apps” tab. Once you’ve designated apps as Distracting, they will be automatically suggested for all Sessions, Schedules, Open Limits, and Time Limits. Additionally, you may configure your Autofocus setup so that Opal will nudge you to keep focused when you’re on these apps.