Customer Reviews (500)

Pearl9895 • 2025-03-22T20:51:00-07:00

Helps you stay off phone.

Kevgall120 • 2025-03-22T04:48:14-07:00

This app helps me refrain from mindlessly reopening and/or refreshing apps. Refocuses your energy off the doom scroll machine.

Hrdodia77 • 2025-03-21T23:18:20-07:00

It’s been almost a month since you guys messed up with that update, please fix it, it is quite bothersome.

Summary of Key Insights

The Forest app generally receives positive feedback for its ability to enhance focus and productivity through gamification. Users appreciate the cute design, the rewarding feeling of planting trees, and the app's effectiveness in curbing phone addiction. However, recent updates have introduced significant bugs and issues, leading to user frustration, particularly regarding the focus challenge, login problems, data loss, and the allow list feature. The shift towards a subscription model is also a point of contention for long-time users who previously purchased the app. While the core concept remains popular, addressing these technical issues and carefully considering the subscription model's implementation are crucial for maintaining user satisfaction. The overall sentiment is mixed, with many loyal users expressing disappointment over recent performance degradations.

Overall Rating (based on score distribution): Approximately 4.0 stars (weighted average based on the review breakdown)

Score Distribution:

  • 5-star: 59%
  • 4-star: 10.6%
  • 3-star: 5.2%
  • 2-star: 6.2%
  • 1-star: 19%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but reviews appear to be a mix of recent and older feedback, with a concentration of recent reviews commenting on current app versions.
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis employed sentiment analysis (identifying positive, negative, and neutral tones), keyword extraction (identifying frequently used terms and topics), and thematic analysis (grouping similar issues and feature requests).

Key User Pain Points

  • Bugs and Glitches: The most significant pain point is the presence of numerous bugs, especially after recent updates. These include:
    • Focus challenge not loading or awarding progress.
    • App crashing frequently.
    • Login issues and account data loss.
    • Allow list malfunctioning (freezing, crashing, not blocking apps).
    • Deep focus mode not working as intended.
  • Account and Data Loss: Several users reported being logged out of their accounts and losing years of accumulated progress (trees, coins, etc.), causing significant frustration.
  • Subscription Model: The introduction of a subscription model for features previously included in the paid app is upsetting many long-time users, who feel they are being asked to pay twice.
  • Apple Watch Functionality: Limited functionality on Apple Watch (e.g., inability to start timers) is a recurring complaint.
  • Lack of Customer Support: Some users report difficulty contacting or receiving responses from customer support.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved Apple Watch App: Users want to be able to start and stop timers directly from their Apple Watch, without needing their phone.
  • More Customization Options: More variety in trees, landscapes (hills, rivers, etc.), and sounds.
  • Pomodoro Timer Integration: A built-in Pomodoro timer with customizable break intervals.
  • To-Do List Integration: A feature to link tasks to focus sessions for better task management.
  • Ability to Zoom and Rearrange Forest: Users want to be able to zoom in on their forests and rearrange trees for a more personalized view.
  • More Achievements and Rewards: More ways to earn coins and unlock new content.
  • Dark Mode Widgets: Users want widgets that match the phone's dark mode setting.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Focus and Productivity: The app is highly effective in helping users stay focused and avoid distractions, particularly for those with ADHD.
  • Gamification: The tree-planting concept and reward system are motivating and engaging.
  • Cute and Calming Design: Users appreciate the app's aesthetically pleasing and calming interface.
  • Real Tree Planting: The option to plant real trees through in-app rewards is a strong motivator and aligns with users' values.
  • Customizable Allow List: The ability to create allow lists (when functioning correctly) is a valuable feature.
  • Statistics and Tracking: Users find the statistics and progress tracking helpful for monitoring their focus habits.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Bug Fixing and Stability: Immediately address the reported bugs and glitches, especially those related to the focus challenge, login issues, allow list, and app crashing. Thoroughly test updates before release.
  • Data Recovery: Implement a reliable data recovery system to help users who have lost their progress. Provide clear instructions and dedicated support for data restoration.
  • Subscription Model Reconsideration: Re-evaluate the subscription model, considering grandfathering existing users or offering a lifetime purchase option to avoid alienating loyal customers. Clearly communicate the value proposition of the subscription.
  • Improve Customer Support: Enhance customer support responsiveness and provide timely solutions to user issues.

Medium Priority:

  • Enhance Apple Watch App: Add the ability to start and stop timers from the Apple Watch app.
  • Expand Customization Options: Offer more tree species, landscape elements, and sound options.
  • Implement Pomodoro Timer: Integrate a built-in Pomodoro timer with customizable break intervals.
  • Address Allow List Issues: Investigate and resolve the issues with the allow list feature, ensuring it functions reliably and efficiently.

Low Priority:

  • Add To-Do List Integration: Explore the possibility of integrating a to-do list feature.
  • Improve Forest Visualization: Allow users to zoom in and rearrange trees in their forests.
  • Add More Achievements and Rewards: Introduce more achievements and rewards to keep users engaged.
  • Dark Mode Widgets: Implement dark mode support for widgets.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Focus App with AI-Powered Task Prioritization: A focus app that uses AI to analyze user tasks and suggest optimal focus times based on task complexity and user energy levels.
  • Collaborative Focus Platform with Built-In Communication: A platform that allows users to study or work together remotely, with built-in communication tools (e.g., voice chat, shared whiteboards) and focus timers.
  • Gamified Productivity App with Real-World Rewards: An app that rewards users for achieving productivity goals with tangible rewards, such as discounts on products or services, or donations to charities.
  • Focus App with Personalized Soundscapes: An app that creates personalized soundscapes based on user preferences and environmental factors to enhance focus and reduce distractions.

Trends and Observations

  • Recent Updates Cause Issues: A significant number of recent reviews mention problems arising after recent updates, indicating a need for more rigorous testing and quality control.
  • Subscription Model Backlash: The shift to a subscription model is generating negative sentiment among long-time users.
  • Language Preferences: While most reviews are in English, some are in other languages (e.g., Chinese, Arabic, Spanish), indicating a global user base.
  • ADHD Users: Many users with ADHD find the app particularly helpful, highlighting its effectiveness in addressing attention and focus challenges.

Conclusion

The Forest app has a strong foundation and a loyal user base due to its unique approach to productivity and focus. However, recent technical issues and the proposed subscription model threaten to erode user satisfaction. Addressing the identified pain points, prioritizing bug fixes, and carefully considering the subscription model's implementation are crucial for the app's long-term success. By listening to user feedback and focusing on stability and core functionality, the Forest team can restore user confidence and maintain its position as a leading productivity app.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize bug fixes and stability improvements. Re-evaluate the subscription model implementation.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/forest-focus-for-productivity/id866450515?uo=2