Troubleshooting & FAQ

Distant says Screen Time permission is required

Distant needs Screen Time access to start any session.

1. Tap Start Focus again. Distant requests access, and iOS may show the Screen Time prompt. Tap Continue and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
2. If no prompt appears, open the iOS Settings app, tap Screen Time, find Distant in the list of apps with Screen Time access, and turn it on.
3. If your device is managed by a parent through Family Sharing, or by a school or company, those restrictions can stop Distant from getting access. Ask the person who manages the device.
4. Close Distant fully and open it again.

Apps are not blocked during a session

1. Check your list. Tap the menu after the session and look at Block Apps. If it doesn't show a number, no apps are selected. Open it and select apps.
2. Select individual apps. Selecting a whole category or a website in the picker doesn't block anything. Expand the category and select each app. See App Blocking.
3. Check Screen Time access as described above.
4. Check the session hasn't ended. Blocking ends when the planned time is up and you open Distant, when you end the session, or during an Emergency Override.
5. Start a new session. End the current one, then start again. Distant applies the blocks when the session starts.
6. Restart your device, then start a new session.

Apps are still blocked after my session ended

Open Distant. If the planned time has passed, Distant finishes the session and lifts the blocks when it opens. If the session is still shown as running, tap End Focus or Complete Session.

If apps stay blocked after that, start a short session and end it right away. Ending a session clears all of Distant's blocks.

Device-Free still lets me open some apps

iOS doesn't allow Screen Time to block some built-in apps, such as Phone. Device-Free blocks every app category that iOS lets it block.

My session is gone after I closed the app

Distant restores a running session when you open it again, including after a restart. If the planned time had already passed, Distant ends the session and lifts the blocks instead.

I can't set more than 25 minutes

Sessions longer than 25 minutes need Full Access. If you already have it, open the Full Access screen and tap Restore Purchases.

Infinite Focus or the infinity button is missing

Infinite Focus needs Full Access. With Full Access, check that Show Infinity Preset is on in Customization > Quick Presets > Edit. You can also start Infinite Focus by choosing the Infinite Focus focus type.

Analytics, Achievements or Levels is missing from the menu

Turn them back on under Menu Items in Customization.

I don't get notifications

1. Open the iOS Settings app, then Notifications > Distant, and turn on Allow Notifications.
2. Check that a Focus mode or Do Not Disturb isn't silencing them.
3. Progress notifications are only scheduled for timed sessions. Halfway There! and 5 Minutes Left need a session of 10 minutes or more.
4. For Infinite Focus milestones, check Infinite Mode Milestones in Customization.

My history or XP doesn't appear on my other device

Session history, XP, levels and settings are stored on each device and don't sync. See Privacy & Data.

Achievements I unlocked are locked again

Achievements are calculated from your current history and streak. Deleting sessions, clearing your history, or breaking a streak can lock them again. See Achievements.

The language didn't change

Close Distant fully by swiping it away in the app switcher, then open it again.

Contact support

Email support@oddomens.com, or use Email Support or Report an Issue in Settings.