The short version: Focus Mate doesn't collect, upload or share any of your data. Your goals, your mate and your Screen Time information stay on your iPhone.
This policy covers the iPhone app Focus Mate and the extensions that come with it (the screen shown on locked apps, the Screen Time report and the schedule that re-locks apps after a break), made by Neural Studio ("we").
Data stored on your iPhone
To work, the app saves a small amount of information on your device only:
- Your goals and which ones you've finished each day.
- Your focus mate: which one you picked, its name and how much it has grown.
- Your settings: reminders, ambience sound and volume, breaks used and similar counters.
- The apps, categories and websites you chose to lock.
This information is shared only between the app and its own extensions on the same iPhone. It's included in your device backups like any other app data, and deleting the app removes it. It is never sent to us or to anyone else.
Screen Time and app blocking
Focus Mate uses Apple's Screen Time framework (Family Controls, Managed Settings and Device Activity) to lock the apps you choose and to show your screen time stats. When you pick apps to lock, iOS gives the app private tokens instead of app names, and the lock itself is applied by iOS. Your screen time stats are calculated by Apple on your device and shown inside a protected view: Focus Mate cannot read them, save them or send them anywhere. You can revoke this permission at any time in iOS Settings → Screen Time.
Black & white mode
If you set up the optional black & white mode, it works through a Shortcuts automation on your iPhone that asks Focus Mate whether your goals are done. That check happens entirely on your device.
Notifications
If you allow notifications, the reminders from your mate and the end-of-break alerts are scheduled on your iPhone itself. No server is involved. You can change them in the app (Settings) or turn them off in iOS Settings → Notifications.
Focus sessions
Focus sessions, their timer on your Lock Screen (a Live Activity) and the Home Screen widgets all run on your iPhone and read the same on-device data described above. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Subscriptions
Focus Mate Pro is an auto-renewable subscription handled entirely by Apple. We don't receive your payment details. The app only asks the App Store whether your subscription is active.
No data collection
The app has no accounts, no analytics, no advertising, no tracking and no servers. It works without an internet connection (except for starting or restoring a subscription). We do not collect, sell or share any personal information.
Feedback
If you tap "Send feedback" in Settings, it opens your own email app with a draft addressed to us. Nothing is sent unless you send that email yourself. We use emails we receive only to reply and to improve the app.
Children
The app doesn't collect personal information from anyone, including children.
Changes
If we ever change how the app handles data, we will update this page and the date above before the change takes effect.
Contact
Questions about privacy: s@neuralst.com