Documentation

Everything you need to know to master Deep Focus and achieve peak productivity.

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🚀 Getting Started

Welcome to Deep Focus! This guide will help you get up and running in minutes.

Installation

  1. Download Deep Focus from the App Store (one-time payment)
  2. Install the app on your iPhone (iOS 17 or later)
  3. Open the app — there's nothing to set up, you can start a session straight away
  4. Optionally allow notifications, for session-complete alerts and the Focus Mode reminder
💰 Pricing: Deep Focus is a one-time purchase with no ads, no subscriptions, and no recurring fees. Once purchased, you own it forever with lifetime access to all features and future updates.

First Time Setup

On first launch, Deep Focus will guide you through:

💡 Pro Tip: Start with a 20-minute session to get familiar with the app before committing to longer sessions.

⏱️ Focus Sessions

Focus sessions are the core of Deep Focus. Here's how to use them effectively.

Starting a Session

  1. Open the app
  2. Select your desired duration: 20, 25, 30, 40, or 45 minutes
  3. Tap the START FOCUS SESSION button
  4. Put on your headphones (required for binaural beats)
  5. The session begins immediately

During a Session

When a focus session is active:

Pausing a Session

If you need a quick break:

  1. Tap the PAUSE button
  2. Binaural beats pause
  3. Timer pauses but session is not saved yet
  4. Tap RESUME to continue

Stopping a Session

To end a session early:

  1. Tap the STOP button
  2. If App Lock is enabled, enter your 4-digit PIN
  3. Session saves as incomplete in your history
  4. Audio and App Lock turn off

Completing a Session

When the timer reaches zero:

💡 Best Practice: Use the Pomodoro technique - 25 minutes of focus followed by a 5-minute break.

🔒 App Lock & PIN

App Lock adds a gentle speed bump to leaving a session — a moment to think twice before you wander off.

How App Lock Works

iOS does not let any app stop you switching away. So when App Lock is enabled and you leave during a session:

Setting Up Your PIN

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Toggle App Lock ON
  3. Enter a 4-digit PIN (numbers only)
  4. Confirm your PIN by entering it again
  5. Your PIN is stored in the iOS Keychain

Using Your PIN

Your PIN is required to:

Changing Your PIN

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Ensure App Lock is enabled
  3. Tap Change PIN
  4. Enter new 4-digit PIN
  5. Confirm new PIN
⚠️ Important: There is no PIN recovery. Choose a PIN you'll remember. If you forget it, you'll need to wait for the session to complete naturally.

Disabling App Lock

To turn off App Lock completely:

  1. Make sure you're NOT in an active session
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Toggle App Lock OFF

🎵 Binaural Beats

Deep Focus plays an optional 40Hz binaural soundscape as a calm audio backdrop during your sessions.

What Are Binaural Beats?

Binaural beats are an auditory illusion created when two slightly different frequencies are played in each ear:

Why 40Hz?

40Hz sits in the "gamma" band that researchers study in relation to:

The evidence on audio "entrainment" is still emerging and mixed, so treat the soundscape as an optional aid to try — not a guaranteed result.

How to Use Binaural Beats

  1. Use Headphones: Binaural beats only work with stereo headphones or earbuds
  2. Adjust Volume: Set to a comfortable level (30-50% recommended)
  3. Give It Time: Settle in for a few minutes and see how the session feels
  4. Stay Consistent: Use it as part of your routine if it suits you

Adjusting Volume

To change binaural beats volume:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Find Volume slider under Audio section
  3. Drag slider to adjust (works in real-time during sessions)
  4. Volume is saved automatically
💡 Recommendation: Start at 30% volume and adjust based on your comfort. The beats should be audible but not distracting.

Changing Frequency

Deep Focus offers multiple binaural beat frequencies to suit different focus needs:

To change frequency:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Find Binaural Beat Frequency under Audio section
  3. Select your preferred frequency
  4. Changes apply to your next session

🌊 Ambient Sounds

Enhance your focus sessions by layering a calming sound over the binaural beats.

What Are Ambient Sounds?

Ambient sounds are looping audio layers that create a steady atmosphere for deep work. Unlike binaural beats, they don't aim to affect brainwave patterns — they simply mask distractions and give you a consistent background. All of Deep Focus's ambient sounds are synthesized (not recordings), so they loop seamlessly with no stray voices or music.

Available Sounds

Nature

Noise

🔇 None: Pure binaural beats without an ambient layer.

How to Use Ambient Sounds

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Find Ambient Sound under the Audio section
  3. Tap to pick a sound from the Nature or Noise group
  4. Adjust the Ambient Volume slider independently
  5. Changes apply immediately, even during an active session

Combining Binaural Beats + Ambient Sounds

For the best experience, layer both audio types:

This gives you a steady binaural layer plus the distraction-masking of a background sound.

Which Sound to Choose

Real-Time Adjustments

Unlike some settings, ambient sounds can be changed during an active session:

  1. While timer is running, go to Settings
  2. Change ambient sound type or volume
  3. Audio transitions smoothly without interrupting your session
  4. Binaural beats continue playing uninterrupted
💡 Pro Tip: Experiment with different combinations! Some users prefer ocean + low binaural beats, while others prefer waterfall at high volume with minimal beats. Find what works best for your brain.

🔕 Focus Mode (Do Not Disturb reminder)

On iOS, no app can switch system Do Not Disturb on for you. Focus Mode instead reminds you to turn it on yourself when a session starts.

What Focus Mode Does

When enabled, at the start of a session Deep Focus:

Setting Up Focus Mode

  1. On first use, allow notifications so Deep Focus can post the reminder
  2. Go to Settings and turn on Focus Mode Reminder
  3. When a session starts, tap the reminder or open Control Centre to enable Do Not Disturb

Using Focus Mode

The reminder appears when:

Disabling Focus Mode

If you don't want the reminder:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Toggle Focus Mode Reminder OFF
💡 Tip: For an automatic, hands-off Do Not Disturb, set up an iOS Focus or a Shortcuts automation to switch on while Deep Focus is open.

⚙️ Settings

Customize Deep Focus to match your workflow.

Audio Settings

💡 Tip: Both volume sliders work in real-time, even during active sessions. Perfect for finding your ideal audio blend without restarting.

Focus Settings

Appearance

Resetting Settings

To restore defaults, you'll need to:

  1. Delete Deep Focus from your Home Screen
  2. Reinstall it from the App Store
  3. Set up again from scratch
⚠️ Warning: Clearing app data will delete your PIN and all session history. Export or note your settings first.

📊 Statistics & History

Track your productivity and build focus streaks.

Session History

View all your past focus sessions:

Statistics Dashboard

See your overall performance:

Using Stats to Improve

Tips for leveraging your data:

🔧 Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions.

App Lock Not Working

Problem: Can still switch apps during sessions

Solutions:

  1. Ensure App Lock is enabled in Settings
  2. Verify you've set a PIN
  3. Restart the app
  4. Check your iOS version (requires iOS 17 or later)

Can't Hear Binaural Beats or Ambient Sounds

Problem: No audio during sessions

Solutions:

  1. Check both volume sliders in Settings (increase to 50%)
  2. Ensure headphones are connected properly for binaural beats
  3. Check device media volume (not ringer volume)
  4. Try different headphones
  5. If using ambient sounds, ensure you've selected a soundscape (not "None")
  6. Check if audio files downloaded properly - restart app

Still Getting Notifications

Problem: Notifications interrupt your session

Solutions:

  1. Turn on Do Not Disturb yourself in Control Centre (iOS apps can't toggle it for you)
  2. Allow notifications so Deep Focus can post the Focus Mode reminder
  3. Ensure Focus Mode Reminder is ON in Settings
  4. For hands-off quiet, set up an iOS Focus or Shortcuts automation

Forgot PIN

Problem: Can't remember unlock PIN

Solutions:

App Crashes During Session

Problem: App closes unexpectedly

Solutions:

  1. Update to latest version
  2. Clear app cache
  3. Ensure sufficient storage space
  4. Report bug to support@deep-focus.app

Battery Drain

Problem: App uses too much battery

Solutions:

💡 Still Need Help? Contact us at support@deep-focus.app with details about your issue.