Regain: Study Timer for Focus

Regain: Study Timer for Focus is an Android productivity app that combines focus countdowns with phone usage tracking. It doesn't just count down; it records which apps break your focus during a study block. For students who keep their phone nearby while revising, that awareness alone can reshape a session. The free version offers core intervals; advanced filtering isn't free.

Why the Session Timer Feels Different

The flow starts with picking a focus length between 15 and 90 minutes. The app then tracks foreground activity while the timer runs. If you open TikTok or Gmail mid-session, it flags that moment and counts it toward an interruption log. In my testing, the detection caught quick social media checks within a few seconds of screen switch. That level of detail turns a simple countdown into visible distraction data. You don't need to guess where the time went; the daily breakdown shows it.

You can also set daily study targets and break intervals, which works well for exam plans that rotate between subjects. The timer keeps running after a minute of inactivity; the phone stays in a dim review state instead of punishing you. That leniency is intentional, and it keeps the tool from feeling like a surveillance system. It's a softer approach than most focus timers, but that's exactly what makes it sustainable for long study days.

Where Regain: Study Timer for Focus Doesn't Hold Up

The most obvious gap is that the app relies on usage-access permissions instead of a true blocking layer. It can't force-stop other applications; it only warns and records. That means a determined user can just ignore the overlay banner, and the interruption still gets logged. If you want hard app blocking, something like ActionDash or a system-level digital wellbeing tool is a better fit.

Battery drain stands out during extended sessions. Because the software polls foreground activity every few seconds, I found the phone running warmer and losing roughly 8% charge across two hours of focused study. On older devices, that drain can interfere with a full day of classes, and it isn't something you can disable. Another shortcoming is the missing calendar integration, so your focus schedule won't appear in Google Calendar or Outlook.

Launch it on a Xiaomi or Huawei phone and you'll need to disable battery optimization in autostart settings, or the background tracking process gets killed. This isn't documented clearly in the app's onboarding. Version 1.4.2 requires Android 8.0 or newer, and the APK is about 28 MB.

Permissions, Costs, and Compatibility

Installation isn't just a single tap. Regain: Study Timer for Focus asks for Usage Access, Notification Access, and overlay permission during setup; if you decline any of them, the timer still works as a plain countdown but the tracking features silently stop. You can't generate a weekly report without all three permissions enabled, which is a common source of "why did tracking stop working" complaints.

The paid tier typically costs around $3 per month, but the free version includes up to three custom focus presets and an interruption summary. If you only need a bare-bones focus timer, the free tier is enough. If you want per-app block lists and exportable data, you'll likely pay within the first week. Don't expect offline mode to sync anything; progress history stays local unless you connect an account, which requires network access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Regain block apps completely during a study session?

No, it can't force-close or lock other apps. It depends on overlay warnings and interruption logging to guide you back to the timer.

Does Regain: Study Timer for Focus work without internet?

Yes, timer and tracking functions run fully offline. Cloud sync for history only activates when you sign in, but you won't need an internet connection for basic use.

What happens when the study timer ends?

The screen shows a break countdown and a summary of interruptions. You can start the next block or end the session and review the daily log, which isn't synced unless you're signed in.