In today’s attention economy, mobile apps are getting heavier and more demanding of their users. From the endless feeds of social media apps, to the algorithm-based recommendations that never end, these apps take up more of users’ time and make them less productive. Focus Friend is not like these apps.
Developed by science communicator and content creator Hank Green and Bria Sullivan of Honey B Games, Focus Friend climbed app charts in the US because of its unique productivity feature. The app was created to aid users in focusing on specific tasks, and like other productivity apps, it does so by blocking off any external notifications for a set period of time.
What makes Focus Friend different is its approach—it assigns the user an anthropomorphic bean who loves to knit. The user can give the bean a name and let them knit for the duration of the timer. Each sock and scarf the bean knits will automatically be traded for a new room decoration, which slowly fills the bean’s room with cute trinkets and designs. However, if the user gets distracted and tries to pick up their phone, the bean will get distracted too, dropping their needles and stopping their knitting.
Launched in July 2025, the app recently rose through the Apple charts as the top free app in the US, surpassing Google, ChatGPT, and Threads. It has also received over 500,000 downloads on Google Play.
“You don’t need an account, the app is free, and we don’t collect data,” said creator Hank Green in his Instagram post. The app boasts its no-ad feature that doesn’t support any advertisement to ensure a seamless experience for users.
Focus Friend boasts a 4.7 rating on the Apple App Store and a 4.9 rating on Google Play, with reviewers sharing how the app helped them stay off their phones to work, how it helped reduce the pressure of deadlines, and how it helped people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as stated by neurodivergent users.
By gamifying productivity while ensuring a free and seamless experience for users, the app managed to succeed in helping thousands of people get over their worries and focus on what matters most.
Have you tried Focus Friend yet? Let us know about your experience in the comments!