Focus Filter
The storyHow it worksInstall guideBlock ShortsFor studentsContact

Two minutes, no account

How to install Focus Filter

Focus Filter is installed by hand, so you get it straight from this page. Six short steps, the same on Chrome, Edge and Brave.

Download focus-filter.zip

Version 1.0.0 · free · about 1 MB · Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS

  1. 1

    Download the extension

    Click the button below to get focus-filter.zip. It is a single file of about 1 MB.

  2. 2

    Unzip it

    Right-click the file and choose Extract All (Windows) or double-click it (Mac). You will get a folder named focus-filter. Move it somewhere permanent, like Documents, because Chrome reads the extension from that folder every time it starts.

  3. 3

    Open the extensions page

    Type chrome://extensions into the address bar and press Enter. On Edge use edge://extensions, on Brave use brave://extensions.

  4. 4

    Turn on Developer mode

    Flip the Developer mode switch in the top right corner of the page. Three new buttons appear.

  5. 5

    Click Load unpacked

    Press Load unpacked, then pick the unzipped focus-filter folder, the one that has manifest.json directly inside it. Press Select Folder.

  6. 6

    Pin it and open YouTube

    Click the puzzle icon in the toolbar and pin Focus Filter. Open the popup, press Start Focusing, and YouTube is yours again.

That is it. You are set.

Add a few channels and keywords in the settings page, set a time limit if you want one, and go study. Lost? Write to jatmcpe.in@gmail.com.

Troubleshooting and questions

Chrome says "Manifest file is missing or unreadable".

You selected the wrong folder. Open the folder you unzipped and check that manifest.json is right inside it. Sometimes unzipping creates a folder inside a folder, so select the inner one.

The extension disappeared after I restarted Chrome.

You probably moved or deleted the unzipped folder. Put it back, or unzip again somewhere permanent and load it once more.

Chrome shows a "Disable developer mode extensions" popup.

This is Chrome's standard reminder for any unpacked extension. Dismiss it with the X. Do not click Disable.

How do I update to a new version?

Download the new zip, unzip it over the old folder (replace the files), then open chrome://extensions and press the circular reload arrow on the Focus Filter card. Your settings are kept.

I cannot find the icon.

Click the puzzle piece in the Chrome toolbar and press the pin next to Focus Filter.

Does it work in Edge, Brave and Opera?

Yes. Any Chromium browser works with the same steps. Use the matching extensions page address.

Is it safe?

Focus Filter runs only on youtube.com, asks for just storage and alarms permissions, and sends nothing anywhere. Read the privacy policy for the full list.

How do I remove it?

Open chrome://extensions, press Remove on the Focus Filter card, and delete the folder if you like.

I built Focus Filter for my own use and share it as is. Stuck anywhere? Contact me. Read the privacy policy or head back to the story.