Introduction to LookAway
Learn what LookAway is and what it can do for you
What is LookAway?
LookAway is a smart break reminder app for Mac that helps reduce eye strain and improve productivity through regular, gentle reminders to take breaks from your screen.
At its core, LookAway is built around the 20-20-20 rule recommended by optometrists: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple habit can significantly reduce digital eye strain and prevent computer vision syndrome.
But LookAway goes far beyond just simple reminders. It is designed to be gentle, delightful, and truly helpful—integrating seamlessly into your workflow without being disruptive. It adapts to your routine with custom scheduling, intelligent activity detection, wellness reminders, and automations, making it an essential tool for anyone looking to build healthier screen habits.
Who Is LookAway For?
LookAway is ideal for:
- Knowledge workers who need structured breaks to maintain focus and prevent burnout.
- Designers, developers, and creatives who require uninterrupted deep work but also mindful breaks.
- Students and researchers engaged in online learning or writing-intensive tasks.
- Remote workers and freelancers wanting to build healthier screen habits and work-life balance.
- Anyone who wants to take care of their eyes, reduce digital eye strain, and prevent or slow the progression of myopia.
Key Features
Fully Customizable
LookAway adapts to your workflow, not the other way around. Adjust break intervals, durations, or even postpone breaks when needed—ensuring that your productivity remains uninterrupted while still prioritizing eye health.
Smart Breaks for Optimal Rest
Balance is key. LookAway offers both frequent short breaks to reduce eye strain and occasional longer breaks to help you relax and reset your mind.
Wellness Reminders
LookAway helps protect not just your eyes but also your posture. Enable blink reminders to prevent dry eyes and posture reminders to maintain a healthy sitting position throughout the day.
Pre-Break Notifications
A gentle heads-up before each break ensures you can wrap up tasks smoothly, preventing abrupt interruptions and keeping you in control of your workflow.
Intelligent Idle-Time Detection
LookAway detects when you're away from your desk and automatically pauses or resets the timer. It only reminds you to take a break when you’re actually working, making every notification count.
Smart Detection: Meetings, Video, and More
No more awkward interruptions at the wrong time! LookAway intelligently detects when you're in a meeting, watching a video, playing a fullscreen game, or screen sharing/recording and automatically pauses reminders. Learn more about how to set it up.
- Meetings Detection – Automatically pauses breaks when you're in a video call, ensuring you're not interrupted.
- Video Playback Detection – Prevents break reminders while watching videos or presentations.
- Deep Focus Apps – Customize a list of apps where breaks should be paused, so you can work without distractions.
- Fullscreen Gaming – LookAway detects when you're gaming in fullscreen and stops reminders so you stay immersed.
- Screen Sharing & Recording – Avoid unwanted pop-ups during presentations or recordings with automatic detection.
LookAway ensures you stay focused when it matters most—while still helping you take breaks at the right time.
Automations & Integrations
Trigger your own automations when a break starts or ends. Use AppleScript and Shortcuts to dim the screen, pause music, activate Do Not Disturb, or perform any other action when LookAway reminds you to take a break. Learn more about Automations.
Multiple Screen Support
Whether you're using an external monitor or a multi-screen setup, LookAway works seamlessly across all your displays, adapting to your workspace effortlessly.
Subtle & Soothing Sound Effects
A gentle chime lets you know when your break is over, guiding you back into focus mode without jarring distractions.
Thoughtfully Designed for Delightful Use
LookAway isn’t just functional—it’s crafted with care. The intuitive design ensures it blends seamlessly into your workflow while being a pleasure to use.
At Your Fingertips
With a live status menu bar icon, LookAway gives you instant access to quick settings, making it easy to check timers, adjust preferences, or take a break whenever you need.
Who Is LookAway For?
LookAway is ideal for:
- Knowledge workers who need structured breaks to maintain focus and prevent burnout.
- Designers, developers, and creatives who require uninterrupted deep work but also mindful breaks.
- Students and researchers engaged in online learning or writing-intensive tasks.
- Remote workers and freelancers wanting to build healthier screen habits and work-life balance.