Focus Launcher. Less distraction. More intention.

Inspiration

The idea first came from my own problem: I found myself getting easily distracted by my phone. I wanted a launcher that could help me stay focused, reduce unnecessary screen time, and make my phone feel more intentional. I tried different launchers, but none of them quite fit what I was looking for, either they were too complicated or didn’t align with a minimalist approach. That’s what motivated me to build Focus Launcher: something simple, mindful, and designed to truly help with distraction.

What it does

Focus Launcher replaces the default Android home screen with a clean, minimalist interface. It helps users:

Limit visible apps to reduce distractions.
Create and schedule profiles for different times of day (Work, Rest, Study, etc.).
Use Focus Mode to block access to hidden apps.
Set screen time limits for distracting apps and reflect with mindful pauses.
Track app usage directly from the home screen.

All while keeping performance fast, the design minimal, and privacy intact.

How we built it

We built Focus Launcher using native Android technologies (Kotlin, Jetpack libraries, and modern architecture patterns).

The launcher core was developed to override the default home screen with a lightweight, custom UI.
App usage insights and detox features rely on Android’s Usage Stats API.
The design follows principles from material design but emphasizes minimalism and subtle animations.

We iterated with feedback from early testers to refine the balance between simplicity and functionality.

Challenges we ran into

Finding users: In the beginning, we had no built-in audience. To reach people, we started by sharing the app on our personal social media accounts and communities.
Discoverability: Choosing the right app name and writing a clear description was harder than expected, but essential for helping people find it.
Iteration: We kept refining the store listing and onboarding experience to better communicate the app’s value.
Over time, this effort paid off — the app began attracting organic users who appreciated its design and focus-oriented features.