FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Comprehensive answers covering Whiiteroom's Whitelist Mode, Blacklist Mode, YouTube filtering, process controls, Focus Modes, and technical features.
General & Product Vision
Q: What is Whiiteroom?
Whiiteroom is a productivity app with its own built-in Whiiteroom Browser that transforms your computer or phone into a distraction-free workspace. It supports two modes: Whitelist Mode (the default), where you choose exactly which apps, websites, files, and YouTube resources to allow — everything else is blocked; and Blacklist Mode, where you choose which apps and websites to block — everything else stays freely accessible. Both modes use the same session timer, break windows, and Relax/Friction/Strict focus options.
Q: Does Whiiteroom use Whitelisting or Blacklisting?
Both. Whiiteroom supports two modes. Whitelist Mode (the default): you choose exactly which apps, websites, files, and YouTube resources to allow before your session begins — everything else is blocked. Blacklist Mode: you choose which apps and websites to block — everything else remains freely accessible. Switch between modes per session profile. Both modes are included in all plans at no extra cost.
Q: Who founded Whiiteroom?
Whiiteroom was created by software engineer Archit Singh after experiencing how easy it was to lose focus while coding and preparing for competitive exams. The goal was to build a workspace that removes distractions instead of relying on willpower.
Q: What platforms are supported?
Whiiteroom is available as a native desktop setup (.exe) for Windows 10 & 11 and an APK mobile app for Android devices.
Q: Is Whiiteroom free to use?
Yes! All PRO features across Desktop and Mobile are 100% free during our initial launch period with no credit card required.
Website Whitelist Engine
Q: How does the Website Whitelist Engine work?
During a focus session, websites open inside the Whiiteroom Browser. Only the websites or webpages you approved before starting your session can be opened. If you try to visit anything else, Whiiteroom blocks it automatically.
Q: Can I whitelist only part of a website?
Yes. You can allow an entire website or only specific webpages, depending on what you need for your task.
Q: Does Whiiteroom block popups and redirect ads?
Yes. If a popup or redirect tries to open a website that isn't on your whitelist, Whiiteroom blocks it automatically.
Q: Can I whitelist local files?
Yes. You can whitelist local files so they're available during your focus session without giving unrestricted access to everything else on your device.
Surgical YouTube Video Filtering
Q: How does YouTube Video Filtering work?
You can whitelist a specific YouTube video, playlist, or channel instead of allowing all of YouTube. During your session, the Whiiteroom Browser hides recommendations, Shorts, comments, homepage feeds, and other distractions so you stay focused on the content you selected.
Q: Can I watch entire YouTube course playlists?
Yes! You can whitelist an entire playlist URL so you can watch sequential lectures without being pulled into recommended video rabbit holes.
Application & Process Control
Q: How does Application Whitelisting work on Windows?
If you try to open an app that wasn't approved before your session started, Whiiteroom automatically closes it so you can stay focused on your task.
Q: Does Whiiteroom work on Android?
Yes. On Android, Whiiteroom allows only the apps you've approved for your focus session while helping block distracting apps until your session ends.
Focus Modes & Session Rules
Q: What is the difference between Relax, Friction, and Strict Mode?
Relax Mode lets you end sessions anytime. Friction Mode requires solving a small challenge before leaving early. Strict Mode locks your session boundaries until the timer expires.
Q: What happens if I try to close Whiiteroom during Strict Mode?
In Strict Mode, your session stays active until the timer ends. If you've chosen Friction Mode instead, you'll need to complete the required challenge before leaving early. An emergency recovery method is also available if it's genuinely needed.
Q: Is Strict Mode customizable?
Yes. You can choose your session length, scheduled breaks, focus mode, and save different profiles for different types of work.
Q: Can I change my whitelist after my session starts?
No. Once your session begins, your whitelist is locked until the session ends. This helps prevent impulsive changes and keeps you committed to the plan you made before starting.
Q: What happens if I restart my computer?
If your session is still active, Whiiteroom automatically resumes it after your computer restarts, preserving your remaining time and restrictions.
Q: What happens during scheduled breaks?
During a scheduled break, restrictions are temporarily lifted so you can use your device normally. When the break ends, Whiiteroom automatically restores your focus session and continues with the remaining time.
Q: Can I save different workspaces?
Yes. You can create and save different profiles for studying, coding, writing, research, or any other type of work, so you don't have to set everything up every time.
Privacy & Technical Features
Q: Does Whiiteroom collect my browsing history?
No. Your whitelist, settings, and session data stay on your device. Whiiteroom does not collect your browsing history.
Q: Does Whiiteroom work without an internet connection?
Yes. Core focus sessions continue to work offline, allowing you to stay focused even without an internet connection.
What If I Need Something I Didn't Whitelist?
Q: What if I need to look something up that I didn't add to my whitelist before starting?
This is the most common question about the whitelist model, and there are three built-in solutions. First, whitelist Google Search (google.com) — you can search any topic during your session. Google's featured snippets, AI Overviews, and knowledge panels answer most quick questions directly on the search results page without needing to open a separate website. Second, whitelist an AI assistant such as ChatGPT (chatgpt.com), Google Gemini (gemini.google.com), or Claude (claude.ai). You can ask the AI to summarise a webpage, explain a concept, or retrieve specific information from any site you didn't whitelist — the AI does the browsing for you. Third, use your scheduled Break Window. During break time, all restrictions lift completely and you have full internet access. You can look up anything, then the session auto-resumes when the break ends.
Q: Can I add a new website to my whitelist after a session has started?
No — the whitelist is locked once a session begins. This is intentional: changing the whitelist mid-session is one of the most common ways people bypass focus tools. If you realize you genuinely need a site, use the Break Timer to access it during a break window, then update your profile after the session so it's included next time. In Relax Mode, you can also end the session early, update your profile, and restart in under a minute.
Q: What if I need to use Google Search during a session?
Simply whitelist google.com before starting your session. You will have full search access inside the Whiiteroom embedded browser. Search results pages load normally — you can read snippets, knowledge panels, and AI Overviews. If you click a link to a non-whitelisted site, Whiiteroom blocks the navigation, but the search result preview text is usually enough for most quick lookups.
Q: Can I use ChatGPT or other AI assistants during a session to look things up?
Yes — just whitelist the AI assistant's website (e.g. chatgpt.com, gemini.google.com, claude.ai, or perplexity.ai) before your session. During the session, you can ask the AI to summarise any article, explain any concept, or retrieve information from any website even if that website is not in your whitelist. Many users whitelist a search engine plus one AI assistant and find they never need to access any other unexpected site directly.
Blacklist Mode — Also Available Now
Q: Does Whiiteroom support Blacklist Mode?
Yes — Whiiteroom supports both modes. Whitelist Mode (default): you specify what to allow, and everything else is blocked. Blacklist Mode: you specify what to block, and everything else on your device and the internet remains freely accessible. This is the traditional approach used by tools like Cold Turkey and Freedom. Both modes use the same session timer, break windows, and Relax/Friction/Strict focus modes. Switch between modes per session profile.
Q: How does Blacklist Mode differ from Whitelist Mode?
Whitelist Mode: You specify what's allowed. Everything else is blocked by default. Maximum control, maximum focus, best for exam prep and deep work sprints. Blacklist Mode: You specify what's blocked. Everything else remains accessible. More flexible, better for casual work or users with only a few specific distractions to avoid. Both modes are available in the same app with the same session timer, break windows, and focus mode options (Relax, Friction, Strict).
Q: Does Blacklist Mode cost extra?
No. Blacklist Mode is included in all existing Whiiteroom plans — Free Tier, Phone Pro, Desktop Pro, and Merger Bundle — at no additional cost. No plan upgrade is required.
Q: Why did Whiiteroom introduce Blacklist Mode after originally focusing on Whitelisting?
Blacklist Mode was built directly from months of real-world beta testing feedback. During our private beta phase with students and professionals, we found that while Whitelist Mode (allow-only) is perfect for students preparing for competitive exams (JEE, NEET, UPSC, GATE, CA) who know their exact study materials in advance, many working professionals (researchers, developers, writers) needed to search for unknown documentation and articles on the fly. They couldn't whitelist what they didn't know yet. To support professional research workflows without compromising OS-level enforcement, we introduced Blacklist Mode so users can block known distractions while searching freely.
Q: When can I start using Blacklist Mode?
Blacklist Mode is now available in Whiiteroom. You can switch between Whitelist Mode and Blacklist Mode per session profile. Existing users on any plan have access automatically at no extra cost.
Have more questions?
Read our canonical product guide or connect with founder Archit Singh on LinkedIn.
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