Choose what stays alive
The core principle of AuraLock. Learn how to intentionally select apps for your Aura — including free limits, system apps, and mid-session changes.
"What stays alive?" is the most important question in AuraLock. It shifts how you think about your phone, from blocking distractions to deciding what you need.
The mindset shift
Most focus apps ask: "What should I block?" AuraLock asks a different question: "What do I need?"
That change in wording makes a real difference. Instead of fighting your phone, you are designing an environment. You keep a short, deliberate list of tools that support your purpose, and everything else stays outside by default. You no longer maintain a growing list of distractions to block.
How selection works
Follow the walkthrough below, or read the summary that follows:
Choose what stays alive
0/50/5
Open the Aura you want to edit
Open an existing Aura, or create a new one, to reach the app selection step.
Tap What Stays Alive
This is the whitelist step — the heart of AuraLock. Everything you do not choose waits outside the Aura.
Search your installed apps
Search your installed apps or scroll the full list to find what you need.
Tap each app to add it
Tap each app to add it to the Aura — tap again to remove. A live counter always shows how many apps stay alive.
Stay intentional
Ask "does this app help me right now?" If the answer is not a clear yes, leave it out. You can always add it back mid-session. On the free plan you can keep up to 3 apps alive; Pro allows unlimited.
Free plan limit
Examples by purpose
Deep Work
- Notes — for capturing ideas
- Calendar — for scheduling
- Browser — for research
- Music — for focus playlists
Study
- Calculator
- Dictionary or translation app
- Browser — for academic sources
- Timer — for pomodoro sessions
Family Time
- Camera — for memories
- Messages — for coordination
- Maps — for directions
- Music — for shared listening
Personal Time
- Notes — for capturing thoughts
- Reading app — for a good book
- Music or podcast app — for unwinding
System apps always stay available
Essential functions — phone calls, emergency access, alarms, and system settings — are always protected, even when you don't add them to an Aura. AuraLock never compromises safety or accessibility.
When in doubt, leave it out
Changing apps mid-session
Your needs can change while you work. Open the session controls during an active Aura and select Change allowed apps to add or remove apps without ending the session. The update applies immediately.
Review regularly
Your needs change over time. Periodically review what stays alive in each Aura and adjust it. A quick weekly check works well: ask yourself whether you used everything you kept alive. Apps you kept "just in case" are usually the ones you can leave outside next week.
Prebuilt templates
If you are not sure where to start, AuraLock ships templates that come pre-filled with common app choices:
- Everyday Essentials — phone, messages, and maps stay alive
- Deep Work — just the basics, no distractions
- Study Mode — notes and messages within reach
- On the Go — maps, camera, and music for travel
- Wind Down — music and photos for the evening
These templates resolve against the apps actually installed on your device, so the same template works on any Android phone. Tap one to start, then adjust what stays alive to your liking.