FAQ

Answers to common questions about Intermission.

What is Intermission?

Intermission is a macOS app that regularly interrupts your screen, forcing you to look away and rest your eyes. It’s built around the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

How much does it cost?

Intermission is free to try for 7 days, then a one-time purchase of $7.99. There’s no subscription and no recurring charge.

Will it interrupt Zoom, FaceTime, Teams, YouTube, or presentations?

No. Intermission detects meetings, calls, presentations, videos, and screen sharing — across apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and Teams — and stays out of the way while any of those are active.

Can I skip or snooze a break?

Yes. Depending on how strict you set it, breaks can be skipped or snoozed, with warnings before each one starts so you’re never caught off guard.

Does it block every display?

Yes. When a break starts, Intermission covers every connected display, along with handling screensavers and sleep mode, without extra setup.

Does it require Screen Recording or Accessibility permission?

No. Intermission doesn’t currently require Screen Recording or Accessibility permission to work.

Does Intermission collect or store my data?

No. The app runs entirely on your Mac and doesn’t transmit your activity anywhere. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Does it support Family Sharing?

Yes, Intermission supports Family Sharing through the Mac App Store.

What macOS version do I need?

Check the “Compatibility” section on our App Store listing for the current minimum macOS version.

How do I get a refund?

Since Intermission is sold through the Mac App Store, refunds are handled by Apple. You can request one at reportaproblem.apple.com.

I purchased Intermission or Breaks for Eyes before — do I need to buy it again?

If you purchased Intermission or Breaks for Eyes through the official Mac App Store, your purchase is tied to your Apple Account and can always be re-downloaded for free using that same Apple Account — it can’t be transferred to a different Apple Account. If you purchased Breaks for Eyes outside the App Store more than 6 years ago, that license can’t be transferred to Intermission.

What is Breaks for Eyes?

Breaks for Eyes was the original name of this app, originally developed by another company and sold both on and off the Mac App Store. We acquired the project, renamed it to Intermission, and discontinued sales outside the App Store.

Still have a question?

Email us at studio@alexgreene.me and we’ll get back to you.