Opal Help Center

Welcome, gem! 💎 Thank you for using Opal, and helping us on our journey to help 1Bn people focus better day to day. We get some questions asked very frequently, so here are some answers to help you make the most of your Opal experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started

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What is Focus Score?

Curious about Focus score on your home screen? Learn more here.

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Can I schedule sessions?

Learn more about how Schedule works and how to make the most of this feature.

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What are Protection Levels?

Protection allows you to customize how you want Opal to work during your sessions.

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What are Breaks?

Learn more about how breaks work in Opal and how to take them.

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What are Focus Sessions?

Learn more about Sessions and how you can make the most of Opal's app blocking.

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Who is Opal for?

Whether you are at work or with friends, Opal helps you be 100% present and focused.

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What is Opal?

Opal is the #1 app for people looking to reduce their daily screen time and measure focus.

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How to Set Up Opal

Looking to get the most out of Opal? Learn more here about how to fully set it up!

How Opal works

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How do I choose Apps and Websites to Block? (App Groups) (iOS)

Learn how to set up your app groups whether or not you are starting your first session.

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How do I install Opal Shortcut Automations? (iOS)

Learn more about how to set up Opal with shortcuts and shortcut automations.

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How do I install Opal's Chrome Extension on my computer?

Wish Opal could work on your computer, too? You’re in luck. Learn how to install Opal for Chrome.

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Why Do You Need to Grant Screen Time API Access?

Learn why Opal needs Screen Time permissions to manage your device.

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How Does Opal Work? (iOS)

Learn more about how Opal works under the hood and why it needs your permissions.

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What is Focus Report?

Wondering what a focus report is? Read our blog to learn all about it!

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What Are Social Sessions? How Can I Focus Together with Friends, Colleagues Or Family?

With Social Sessions, you can invite anyone to join and focus together with them for the duration of your session.

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What Is Whitelist?

With Whitelist, all Apps and Websites will be blocked except the ones you select during your Session.

Additional questions

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What do you do with my data?

Here are the general principles that drive our decisions when it comes to privacy and how we collect, use and handle your personal data.

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Does Opal have an iOS Widget? (iOS)

Learn how to to customize your home screen or lock screen with Opal widget.

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I received Opal as a Gift, how do I redeem my gift?

Congratulations on your gift! Here is how to redeem it! We hope you enjoy Opal to the fullest.

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Why You Should Upgrade to iOS 16 for the New Opal

Learn why Opal 3.0 for iOS 16 is the best version of Opal.

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How to Block Apps with iPhone Focus Mode & Opal

Here is how you can go two steps further by syncing Focus Mode with Opal to completely disable certain apps from your phone.

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How to Invite Friends or Family to Opal?

If you feel like your friends could benefit from Opal, you can invite them today and they will automatically get 1 Month of Opal Pro.

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How to Use Opal on iPad

How to use the Opal app on your iPad with iPadOS16

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How to start a Pomodoro with Opal

Start a Pomodoro with Opal. Block distracting apps during your Pomodoros to really focus and sustain concentration.

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Is Opal blocking an App/Website it shouldn't?

If you notice that an app or website is blocked when it shouldn't, here are the steps we recommend:

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Can I Sync Opal Sessions with my Calendar?

You can sync your Opal Sessions with your Google Calendar 📆 , Opal will add an event in your calendar for every Session.

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Screen Time Permissions Screen Is Stuck

If you don't have FaceID or a Passcode set up, Opal won't be able to receive Screen Time permissions and the app will not work. You may be s

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How do I hard reset my Screen Time settings? (if you uninstalled Opal or removed Screen Time permissions)

Occasionally, Screen Time settings can still apply to your device, which means some apps may still be blocked.

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How is Opal Different from Screen Time settings on iOS?

Opal offers a number of advantages compared to built-in Apple's Screen Time settings.

Feedback & subscriptions

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I can't restore my subscription (iOS)

Learn how you can troubleshoot restore purchases not working.

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How can I cancel my subscription?

Learn how to cancel your subscription if you purchased it through Opal website or iOS app.

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How to contact Opal, report a bug or give feedback?

Having trouble with Opal? Learn here how to report a bug and receive support.

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Request a feature on Opal

Got a feature you'd love to see in Opal? Suggest it here, and let the community vote on it!

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Why pay for Opal?

Learn here why you should support Opal by purchasing Opal Pro.

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How Your Free Trial with Apple Works

When you download the Opal app on an iOS device, such as an iPhone or iPad, you have the option to activate a free trial to the Opal Pro sub

Using Opal on iOS 15 or Prior

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Is Opal working? (iOS 15 and prior)

Troubleshoot and check if Opal is working properly on iOS 15 or prior.

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Opal is stuck "Connecting" (iOS 15 and prior)

Learn how to troubleshoot conflicts with other VPN on iOS 15 or prior.

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Opal is off, but I still can't use apps (iOS 15 and prior)

Learn why some apps may appear blocked even after your session on iOS 15 or prior.

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Internet/loading is slowed down! (iOS 15 and prior)

Sorry to hear you're having trouble! Learn how to fix slow internet on Opal VPN for iOS 15 or prior.

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My internet stopped working (iOS 15 and prior)

Sorry to hear you're having trouble! Learn how to troubleshoot Opal VPN on iOS 15 and prior.

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What is Always-On VPN? (iOS 15 and prior)

Learn why Opal VPN needs to remain "on" in a background on iOS 15 or prior.

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Can we split up Facebook and Messenger? (iOS 15 and prior)

Learn about how to block Facebook and Messenger on Opal for iOS 15 or prior.

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Why does Opal need a VPN? (iOS 15 and prior)

Learn why Opal on iOS 15 or prior needs your VPN permissions.

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Can Opal block notifications? (iOS 15 and prior)

Learn about blocking notifications for Opal for iOS 15 or prior.

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Opal is not blocking the app (iOS 15 and prior)

Learn how to fix VPN blocking issues on Opal for iOS 15 or prior.

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What is Time Saved? (iOS 15 and prior)

Learn more about "Time Saved" metric in Opal for iOS 15 or prior.

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How to block ANY app with Opal? (iOS 15 and prior)

Opal's integration with Shortcuts allows you to block any app, regardless of if it is on Opals block list.

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Can I block an app that's not on Opal's list? (iOS 15 and prior)

Our local VPN blocks the connection requests your phone makes when it launches a distracting app on our list.

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How does Opal work? (on iOS 15 or Prior)

Learn more about how Opal works behind the scenes for iOS 15 or prior.

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How can I use Screentime with Opal? (iOS 15 and prior)

If you are looking to add more friction, use Opal Shortcuts Integration to prevent app opens instead of Screen Time App Limits.

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Can I use another VPN while using Opal? (iOS 15 and prior)

Learn how Opal interacts with other VPN on your iPhone for iOS 15 or prior.

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Can I customize my Opal app icon? (iOS 15 and prior)

Looking to personalize your experience? Changing your app icon is super easy!

Still need help?

If you still need any assistance with Opal, please see how do I contact Opal for ways of talking to us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.