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. Purchase and download Deep Focus from the Google Play Store (one-time payment)
  2. Install the app on your Android device
  3. Open the app and complete the welcome screen
  4. Grant necessary permissions (Do Not Disturb access)
💰 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 stop, DND remains active
  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. All features (binaural beats, DND, app lock) deactivate

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 is Deep Focus's most powerful feature - it keeps you committed to your focus session.

How App Lock Works

When enabled during a focus 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. PIN is saved securely on your device

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 uses 40Hz gamma wave binaural beats to enhance your cognitive performance.

What Are Binaural Beats?

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

Why 40Hz?

40Hz is the gamma wave frequency associated with:

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: Effects typically start within 5-10 minutes
  4. Stay Consistent: Use regularly for best results

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 Soundscapes

Enhance your focus sessions by layering calming nature sounds over binaural beats.

What Are Ambient Soundscapes?

Ambient soundscapes are natural, looping sound environments that create a calming atmosphere for deep work. Unlike binaural beats which affect brainwave patterns, ambient sounds help mask distractions and create a consistent audio environment.

Available Soundscapes

How to Use Ambient Sounds

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Find Ambient Sound under Audio section
  3. Tap to select your preferred soundscape
  4. Adjust Ambient Volume slider independently
  5. Changes apply immediately, even during active sessions

Combining Binaural Beats + Ambient Sounds

For the best experience, layer both audio types:

This combination provides both the cognitive benefits of gamma waves and the distraction-masking properties of nature sounds.

When to Use Each Soundscape

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)

Focus Mode automatically activates Do Not Disturb on your device during sessions.

What Focus Mode Does

When enabled:

Setting Up Focus Mode

  1. On first launch, grant Do Not Disturb permission
  2. If you skipped it, go to Settings and tap Enable Focus Mode
  3. Android will prompt you to allow DND access
  4. Grant permission in system settings

Using Focus Mode

Focus Mode activates automatically when:

It deactivates automatically when:

Disabling Focus Mode

If you don't want DND during sessions:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Toggle Enable Focus Mode OFF
💡 Tip: Focus Mode is highly recommended. Notifications are the #1 distraction killer. Protect your deep work time!

⚙️ 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. Clear app data in Android Settings
  2. Reopen Deep Focus
  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 Android version (works best on Android 9+)

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

Focus Mode Not Activating

Problem: Still receiving notifications

Solutions:

  1. Grant Do Not Disturb permission in Settings
  2. Check Android system settings for DND access
  3. Ensure Focus Mode toggle is ON
  4. Some system apps may override DND

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.