Temporarily Block Mac Apps

[RossMcleod]

Hello,

I'm looking to block myself from opening certain apps on my MBP so I don't waste my time playing games instead of working. Think of it like SelfControl (http://selfcontrolapp.com/) but for apps instead of things on the Internet.

I've done some searching but I can only find stuff for blocking websites, but that's the stuff I don't want to block haha. Can you guys think of any ways or apps to do this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[GGJstudios]

Hello,

I'm looking to block myself from opening certain apps on my MBP so I don't waste my time playing games instead of working. Think of it like SelfControl (http://selfcontrolapp.com/) but for apps instead of things on the Internet.

I've done some searching but I can only find stuff for blocking websites, but that's the stuff I don't want to block haha. Can you guys think of any ways or apps to do this?

Thanks in advance!

You can use Parental Controls to restrict access to apps to certain times. Of course, if you're the one setting it up, you can disable those controls. There's no software substitute for self discipline.

 

[saturnotaku]

You could also set up a secondary/"work" user that only contains the applications you need and log into that one rather than your main account.

As was said, however, anything you do will still require a modicum of self-control.

 

[Designer Dale]

If you're wasting time (money) playing games on your work machine, spend some money on a dedicated work machine with no games installed. It will pay for itself in the long run. It sounds like you should just dump the games all together if you can't restrict the use from your work time.

Dale

 

[leon-geyer]

I understand your problem
Had the same, found a solution for now: a automator app.

Open Automator -> Application
Automator -> Utilities -> Run Shell Script

Then insert this into the script window (it is working for me, but be aware, I just pasted and adapted something found on https://www.reddit.com/r/osx/comments/47x5l9/using_automator_to_block_apps_from_opening/, my own adapted script is terribly written, corrections are more than welcomed.)

on run {input, parameters}
set appsToQuit to {"NAME OF YOUR APP TO BE BLOCKED"}
repeat with curApp in appsToQuit
quit application curApp
end repeat
delay 5
return input
end run

After that, search in automator for a loop, select "loop automatically" and the duration (stop after), I choose 120 min.

At the end, save it as a app and put it into the dock. When you click on it, you will see the symbol of the script spinning in your menubar.

This way you can block the app you annotated. Of course, I hope somebody corrects the script so you can choose what app to block and time. I guess you easily can insert times (from this hour to this hour, like cal events).

 

[Sital]

How did you even find this thread to reply to it 3 years later??