Halto - App Blocker & Focus

While a session or schedule is running, Halto watches which app comes to the front. When it is one you chose to block, Halto shows a full-screen block screen over it with a timer. The Accessibility service makes this instant. Without it, Halto checks the open app about once a second.

Usage Access lets Halto see which app is open and how long each app is used, for blocking, daily budgets and stats. Display over other apps lets it show the block screen on top of a blocked app. Accessibility is optional: it tells Halto instantly when an app opens, and is needed for daily app budgets.

Only the package name of the app whose window just came to the front, such as an app's internal ID. The service is set up without permission to read window content, so it cannot read text, messages or passwords on your screen. Halto also uses it to press Home when it must send you out of a blocked app.

Yes, but it takes effort. There is no End session button on the block screen. In the app you must type a confirmation phrase and wait out a countdown. Strict mode cannot be switched off while a session runs. If you set up an accountability partner, their short timed accesses still work.

Yes. Halto does not lock you in. Android Settings is never blocked, so you can remove a permission, switch off Accessibility, force-stop or uninstall Halto at any time, even in Strict mode. Switching off or deleting a running schedule also ends its block. If a permission goes, Halto posts a notice that blocking has stopped.

No. Halto blocks apps. It does not see web addresses or page content. Browsers are left alone by the built-in categories, including All apps. If you pick a browser by name in Custom apps, Halto blocks that whole browser app while the session runs.

Yes. After a restart, an app update or a clock or time zone change, Halto sets its schedule alarms again, and a manual session that is still running resumes for its remaining time. If you deny the Alarms and reminders permission, schedules still run but start less precisely.

While a session or schedule runs, Halto keeps a notification and checks the open app. With Accessibility on, that check is a slow safety net. Some phones stop background apps, so allow unrestricted battery use if blocking stops. Yes on tablets: phones stay in portrait, tablets can rotate.