The Hank Green Game Everyone's Talking About Is a Pomodoro App You Need in Your Life

What to know

Focus Friend Launch: Hank Green’s Focus Friend is a Pomodoro-style app with a knitting bean to make productivity fun and engaging.
Pomodoro Gameplay: Set a timer to block distractions; your bean knits during focus sessions, earning points, but sulks if you break your streak.
Gamified Appeal: Its point system and quirky bean make users see it as a game, not just a productivity tool, fueling its viral charm.
Ad-Free Must-Have: With no ads or data tracking, Focus Friend offers bean skins and subscriptions, perfect for your daily grind.

Picture a cozy bean knitting a scarf while you power through your to-do list. That’s Focus Friend, Hank Green’s Pomodoro-style app that’s taken the productivity world by storm. Launched in July 2025, it’s not just another app—it’s a game-changer that uses timed focus sessions to keep you on track, rocketing to the top of Apple’s App Store charts for free apps.

Here’s how it works: set a Pomodoro-inspired timer to lock out distracting apps like TikTok or Instagram. While you focus, your bean (think cute names like Garbanzo or Susan Bean Anthony) knits away, earning points for every distraction-free minute. Sneak a peek at your phone, and your bean shoots you a sad glance, tugging at your heartstrings. It’s a brilliant twist that makes sticking to your focus sessions feel like nurturing a tiny, scarf-loving buddy.

Why everyone’s obsessed about Focus Friend

The app’s success isn’t just about its cute premise. Hank Green, known for his science communication and YouTube fame with Vlogbrothers, brings a massive, engaged audience—his Nerdfighter community. When he and his brother John started posting about Focus Friend on platforms like Bluesky and TikTok, it skyrocketed, hitting number one for free apps and number two for productivity apps by August 2025. Posts on X describe it as a “viral game,” with millions of views and likes pouring in.

What sets Focus Friend apart is its commitment to being ad-free. Hank’s made it clear he wants to avoid the “kinda blowy” mobile ad ecosystem, focusing instead on a clean user experience. You can play for free, but there are optional purchases—like turning your bean into a “Kitt-ney Bean” (a cat-themed bean) or subscribing to unlock premium decorations for your bean’s scarves.

Focus Friend is not a game, it's a gamified Pomodoro!

Focus Friend isn’t just about keeping you off your phone; it’s got Hank Green’s signature blend of fun and purpose. The app collects zero data, a refreshing move in today’s privacy-conscious world, as noted by fans on X. It’s also a testament to Hank’s knack for quirky, impactful projects—think of his past ventures like the Awesome Socks Club or his investment in the word game Gubbins, where he funneled revenue to charity.

The app’s design taps into your emotions, making productivity feel personal. That sad bean face if you slip up? It’s motivation wrapped in cuteness. Plus, the gamification—earning points and customizing your bean—keeps you coming back. It’s no wonder it’s been called “extremely cute” by TechCrunch, with users raving about its charm and simplicity.

Why you need this app in your life

Focus Friend isn’t just fun—it’s a lifeline for anyone juggling work, study, or creative projects. Its Pomodoro-style timers help you break tasks into manageable chunks, boosting your focus and reducing burnout. That knitting bean? It’s your accountability partner, cheering you on through every session. With no ads to interrupt and a privacy-first approach, it’s the distraction-free tool you’ll wish you’d found sooner.

Whether you’re a student cramming for exams or a professional tackling emails, this app fits seamlessly into your life. It makes productivity feel less like a chore and more like a game you want to win. With its viral buzz and Hank’s passionate fanbase, Focus Friend is more than an app—it’s a movement to make focus fun.

Why does Focus Friend called a game by some and why it feels like it

You might hear Focus Friend called a game, and it’s easy to see why. Its gamified design turns productivity into a playful challenge. Every time you complete a focus session, you earn points to unlock new bean skins or scarf patterns, like turning your bean into a “Cosmo Bean” with a starry scarf. The knitting bean’s reactions—happy when you stay focused, mopey when you don’t—create an emotional bond that feels like playing a pet simulator.

This game-like vibe is no accident. Hank Green leaned into gamification to make Focus Friend addictive in the best way. Fans on X call it a “productivity game,” with some even comparing it to nurturing a Tamagotchi. By blending rewards, customization, and a touch of whimsy, the app tricks your brain into wanting to focus, making it a hit among those who’d rather play than work.

Not the only Green game in town

While Focus Friend is the hot topic, there’s been some confusion with another “Hank game” tied to the Green Game Jam 2025. That’s My Talking Hank: Islands, a mobile game by Outfit7 featuring a beach clean-up mini-game with an eco-friendly theme. It’s part of a broader initiative to promote environmental awareness, but it’s unrelated to Hank Green’s project. The similarity in names has sparked some chatter, but Focus Friend is the one stealing the spotlight.

How to jump in

Looking forward to the app? Here's how to get and start using the Focus Friend app.

Ready to transform your productivity? Download Focus Friend on iOS or Android for free and start your Pomodoro journey. Open the app, name your bean, set your focus timer, and watch it knit while you crush your tasks.

You can even enable the Deep Focus mode in the app for better control over your focus sessions.