You tell yourself you will check your phone for one second. Ten minutes later you are deep in a feed, and the work you meant to do is still waiting.
Forest is a free phone app that helps with exactly this. You plant a virtual tree, and it grows while you stay focused. Leave the app, and the tree dies. It is a small, gentle nudge to put the phone down.
Quick summary
- Forest is a focus timer where a virtual tree grows while you stay off your phone.
- It works on iPhone, iPad, and Android, with a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox.
- The core app is free. An optional Plus plan adds extras and removes ads.
- It is a soft nudge, not a strict lock.
What it is
Forest is a focus app. You choose how long you want to focus and pick a tree. The tree grows while the timer runs. If you switch to another app, the tree dies. Each finished session adds a tree to your own small forest, which becomes a picture of your focused time.
The idea uses a simple fact about people: we dislike losing something we have built. A growing tree feels worth protecting, even though it is only a picture. That small feeling can be enough to stop you from opening a social app.
According to the Forest website, the timer works offline. Other parts, such as group sessions and the shop, need an internet connection.
Who it is for
Forest suits you if any of these sound familiar:
- You pick up your phone without thinking, many times a day.
- You study or work and lose focus whenever a notification arrives.
- You like a gentle, visual reward more than strict rules.
- You want something free and simple to try.
It is less suited to people who need strong enforcement. A review on the Headway blog calls Forest a "soft blocker." You can give up, lose the tree, and open any app you like. If your phone habit is severe, you may want to pair Forest with your phone's built-in screen time limits. The same review also notes it found no published clinical trial of Forest itself, so treat it as a helpful nudge, not a proven treatment.
If you often put off tasks, it can help to understand why. Our post on why we procrastinate explains that the urge to grab your phone is often a way to escape an uncomfortable feeling.
How to use it
- Install the app. Download Forest from the App Store or Google Play. You do not need a credit card for the free version.
- Pick a session length. Choose a short time, such as 25 minutes, for your first try.
- Choose a tree and tap plant. The timer starts and the tree begins to grow.
- Put the phone face down. Work on one task. If a thought pops up, write it on paper and keep going.
- Finish the session. When the timer ends, your tree is added to your forest. Take a real break.
- Repeat.
Forest also has a feature called Deep Focus. According to the Forest website, it tries to block other apps during a session and pull you back. It also has Time Guard, which can block apps at set times, and Plant Together, where friends focus in a group. In a group, one person leaving can end the tree for everyone, which adds friendly pressure.
What is free and what costs extra
The Forest website says the free version has no expiry. It includes the focus timer, tree growing, Deep Focus, Plant Together, focus tracking, Time Guard for one app or site, and one calming sound. Free users see occasional ads, but not during a session.
The optional Plus plan is a paid subscription. According to the site, it adds the ability to pause a session, Time Guard for several apps, a custom list of allowed apps, deeper focus statistics, all the sounds, special trees, and an ad-free experience. It also lets you spend in-app coins to plant real trees through a charity partner. The site says there is a free trial of Plus in the app.
Prices vary by country and store, and they change. We do not list a price here, so check your own store before you pay. You can get the main benefit without paying.
Forest also says it works with a nonprofit called Trees for the Future to plant real trees, and that it pays for this from app revenue. Treat these figures as the company's own claims.
Tips for your first week
- Start small. Plant one 25-minute tree on day one. Small wins build the habit.
- Use it with a timer routine. If you like the 25-minute style, see our guide to the Pomofocus free focus timer.
- Protect your rest. Breaks help you focus longer. Our post on why rest is part of progress explains why.
Things to know first
The Headway review says some long-time Android users reported crashes after a recent update, so if you have trouble, check the app store reviews. That review is also published by a company that sells its own app, and its figures are not independently checked. For that reason, we lean on Forest's own website for how the app works, and we ask you to confirm prices yourself.
Also remember that no app can choose what matters. Forest keeps you in your seat. You still decide what to work on. A short weekly plan helps with that. See how to plan your week with AI for one easy method.
Try this now
Install Forest on your phone, or add the browser extension. Plant one tree for 25 minutes. Put your phone face down, work on a single task, and watch the tree grow. When it finishes, stand up and take a real break.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Forest app free?
Yes, the core app is free. It includes the timer, tree growing, and app blocking. An optional Plus plan adds extras and removes ads. Check prices in your own app store.
Does Forest really block other apps?
It tries to. A feature called Deep Focus blocks apps during a session. But you can choose to give up and open them, which kills your tree. It is a soft nudge, not a strict lock.
Does Forest work on a computer?
There is a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, according to the Forest website. The main app runs on iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Do the trees in Forest grow for real?
The trees you see are virtual. The company says Plus users can use coins to fund real trees through a charity partner. Treat that as the company's own claim.
Sources: Forest; Headway, "Forest App Review" (updated October 2026).