Help Center

โšช๏ธ

How to use Allow List

Focus Sessions on Opal usually use a Block List, asking you to select apps and websites you want to block for the duration of your Session. With our Allow List feature, you can flip this around, blocking all apps and websites on your phone except the ones you explicitly select. Allow List allows you to enable apps you really need for the moment in the real world. With Allow List, you can turn your iPhone into a brick phone (or dumb phone) temporarily at whatever times you choose. To set up an Allow List session, you'll need to take three separate steps.
โ€

Step 1: Review "Always Allowed" Apps

Your iPhone Screen Time settings has an "Always Allowed" list of apps, which is generated automatically by Apple. Apps that are in the "Always Allowed" category will always be allowed, and supersede any restrictions Opal puts in place. To set up your Whitelist, you'll want to first make sure apps you want to block are not in the "Always Allowed" category of your iPhone's "Screen Time" settings. To check which apps are "Always Allowed", take these steps:

  • Navigate to your iPhone's "Settings"
  • Scroll down and tap on "Screen Time"
  • Scroll down and tap on "Always Allowed"

We recommend keeping apps you deem essential in the "Always Allowed" category. We'd suggest any medical apps, maps, camera, or anything else that you need unimpeded access to at all times. Once that's complete, you'll want to create an app group with a Whitelist.

Step 2: Create an Allow List

To create an "Allow List," take these steps:

  • Open the Opal app
  • Tap on the "Blocks" tab
  • Tap on the "+New Block" icon
  • Select "Block Now" or "Create Schedule"
  • Tap on "Apps Blocked"
  • If you already have preset Groups, click the "Switch" button to change, then tap "New Allow List"
  • Select the apps/ websites you want to include in this "New Allow List"
  • Rename the list by tapping the adjacent pen icon
  • Tap on "Save" when complete

Once that's complete, this Allow List will be selected for your Session and available for selection for future Sessions.

Adult content is always restricted during Allow List sessions. Private browsing features in your browser are disabled as well by default.

If you have any troubles with your Allow List, please use our troubleshooting steps here.

Thank you for your feedback!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Relevant Articles