Frequently asked questions

The basics

What is LockinTown?

LockinTown is a free web app where you study, work, read or meditate beside other people in cozy live 3D rooms. You pick a room, set a goal, start a focus timer and see others focusing nearby as characters.

Is LockinTown free?

Yes. It is free to join and use. Some rooms are open to everyone and others unlock as you build a streak, focus for a number of minutes or add friends. There is also an optional plan called LockinTown Pro, and a 7 day free trial is available.

Do I need a camera or a microphone?

No. LockinTown has no video and no voice. The site tells your browser not to allow the camera or the microphone, so nobody can see your face or hear you. You appear as a character.

Do I need an account?

You can sign in with Google or Apple, or try LockinTown as a guest. A guest account lives only on that device, so save it with Google or Apple if you want to keep it.

What devices does it work on?

It runs in a modern web browser, and the 3D rooms need WebGL 2, which most current browsers support. Phone apps for iPhone and Android are coming.

What does lock in mean?

Lock in is slang for settling into deep, undistracted focus on one task. LockinTown is a place to do it with company. Our lock in page has practical steps.

Rooms and the focus timer

How many rooms are there?

There are twelve rooms, including a library, a reading hall, cafes, a classroom, a shuttle, a night flight and a train. Some are open from your first visit, some unlock with a streak, focused minutes or friends, and some come with Pro.

How long can a focus session be?

A session can be 5 to 120 minutes, in steps of 5. The first time it starts at 25 minutes, and after that it starts at the last length you used.

How do breaks work?

When a session ends you can start a break of 1 to 30 minutes, begin another session or leave. The break timer starts at 5 minutes. LockinTown does not loop sessions automatically, so you choose each time.

What if I stop a session early?

You have a few seconds to cancel right after pressing start. After that, once you are past half of the planned time you can end the session and keep the coins for the minutes you focused. Before halfway, an ended session earns nothing.

How does a streak work?

A day counts toward your streak when you focus for at least 5 minutes. The app counts days in a row, starting from today or, if you have not focused yet today, from yesterday.

Can I use it for work, reading or meditation?

Yes. Sessions have tags. Study, Reading, Coding, Writing and Math are there to start with, and you can add your own, such as Meditate or Thesis. The Bookworm Café is a room made for reading.

People and friends

Can I talk to other people?

You can send short text messages in a room and a quick wave, nod or cheer. There is no voice. Messages are limited to 160 characters and links are not allowed.

Can I study with my friends?

Yes. Add friends, join the same room, or start a private room that only people with your invite can enter. Servers are communities with their own page and chat, and they can schedule group sessions. When a friend in your room focuses alongside you for at least half of a session, your coins for it double.

What can other people see about me?

People who share a room or server with you can see your display name, username, character, country flag, focus timer, streak, focus stats, current tag or goal, and your messages. You choose what to write.

Safety and privacy

Is LockinTown safe?

It has no video or voice, plus blocking, reporting, chat rules and automatic checks on pictures. No tool is perfect, so you can always block or report someone in a tap. The safety page explains each tool.

How do I block or report someone?

Open their player card in a room, or use your friends list, and choose Block or Report. Reporting also blocks them for you. If either of you has blocked the other, you are not placed in the same room.

Will the front page show my name?

Not unless you choose it. By default the front page can show that someone in your country is focusing, with no name or picture, and you can turn that off in Settings. Your first name, photo and goal appear only if you switch on Show me on the LockinTown homepage.

How do I delete my account?

Open Settings in the app and follow the delete account steps, or email hello@lockintown.app with the subject Delete my account from the address you signed up with.

Music, outfits and Pro

Is there music?

Yes. There are music stations, with lofi, piano, chiptune and classical ones to start with, and ambient sounds such as rain, a fireplace, cafe murmur, typing and brown noise. You can also keep it silent.

Can I change how my character looks?

Yes. You build a character when you sign up, and you can change outfits and accessories in the closet. Coins you earn by focusing can be spent in the store.

What is LockinTown Pro?

Pro is an optional plan with a few extras, such as Pro rooms, a gold seat marker and deeper stats. A 7 day free trial is available. Everything in the free version stays free.

Are the phone apps available?

Not yet. Apps for iPhone and Android are coming. Press Get the app on the front page and we will email you once when they are ready.