AppBlock on iOS

Strict Mode is off, but you still can’t uninstall apps from your iPhone? Here’s what’s going on and how to fix it.

Why this happens

When Strict Mode is active with Disable app uninstalling turned on, AppBlock uses iOS Screen Time to restrict app uninstalls. Occasionally, when you turn Strict Mode off, iOS doesn’t immediately remove that restriction — so the “Delete App” option stays hidden or greyed out for a little longer than it should.

How to fix it

Try these in order:

• Refresh your blocking — Open AppBlock → Blocking tab → tap the refresh icon.
• Restart your iPhone — this usually clears any leftover system restrictions.
• Check Screen Time settings — go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions and make sure Deleting Apps is allowed.
• Wait a few minutes and try uninstalling again — iOS sometimes needs a moment to update its restrictions.

If apps still can’t be uninstalled

Reach out to support and let us know your AppBlock version, your iOS version, and whether the Settings → Screen Time restrictions look correct.

Good to know

Once everything is back to normal, the Delete App option will reappear when you long-press an app icon and uninstalling will work the way it normally does on iOS.

Some users want even stronger commitment — and the option to bypass Strict Mode via Emergency Unblocking feels like a backdoor they don’t want to have.

Can the Emergency Unblocking flow be disabled?

Emergency Unblocking is part of AppBlock by design and cannot be disabled in the app’s settings. It’s there as a safety net, so users are never permanently locked out of essential functions in real emergencies.

Why we keep Emergency Unblocking available

• Real emergencies happen — needing to access a blocked banking app or navigation tool shouldn’t require uninstalling AppBlock.
• Edge cases — users sometimes lock themselves out of their devices in ways they didn’t anticipate.
• Trust — knowing there’s a way out makes people more willing to set strict blocks in the first place.

How to make Emergency Unblocking less tempting

The Emergency Unblocking flow (the one with the long string you have to retype) is only available when you’ve set Timer or Follow schedules as your Strict Mode unlock method.

If you don’t want this self-service option available to you:

• Change your unlock method to something other than Timer or Follow schedules — for example, PIN, Charger, Cooldown, or Approval Contact. With these methods, the in-app emergency flow won’t be available.
• Want to remove that option too? Let our support team know — we can add you to our spam list so future emergency requests from your account won’t be processed. This is the strongest possible commitment.

If you have feedback

We’re always thinking about how to balance safety with commitment. If you have ideas about how Emergency Unblocking could work better, let us know at support@appblock.app.

Emergency Unblocking is meant to be your safety net, so if it’s not working when you need it, that’s stressful. Here’s how to fix the most common issues.

Make sure you’re in the right flow

1. Open AppBlock and go to Contact support.
2. Select Emergency unblocking (or “I need to unlock my device” in older AppBlock versions).

If you don’t see the Emergency unblocking option, you may be on an older AppBlock version — update AppBlock in the App Store and try again.

Common issues and fixes

• The flow won’t load. Check your internet connection and restart AppBlock.
• You’re unable to type some characters in the string. Contact our Support team in the “Other” category.
• Support hasn’t replied yet. We do our best to respond in up to 24 hours. Check your Spam folder while you wait.

If you still can’t get unblocked

Contact our support team directly and we’ll help manually. Let us know:

• Your AppBlock version (visible in Profile → Settings).
• Your iOS version.
• What you’ve already tried.

We’ll send you a one-time unlock code to disable Strict Mode and reset your PIN if needed.

Good to know

Emergency Unblocking is intentionally not effortless — that’s what makes Strict Mode actually work. But we never want you locked out of essential apps for real, so support is always here as a backup.

The Approval Contact unlock method is powerful, but it relies on a few things working together. If something’s gone wrong, here’s how to track it down.

Common reasons the approval isn’t working

• Your contact hasn’t responded yet. They need to actively approve or decline your request. Send them a reminder.
• The approval email or notification went to spam. Ask your Approval Contact to check their spam or promotions folder.
• Internet connection issue. Both you and your Approval Contact need an active internet connection.
• The Approval Contact email is wrong. Double-check the email address saved in your Strict Mode setup.

What to try

• Wait a few minutes. Approval requests sometimes take a moment to deliver.
• Check with your Approval Contact directly — by phone, text, or in person — to confirm they received and approved the request.

If it still doesn’t work

Use the Emergency Unblocking flow:

1. Open AppBlock and go to Contact support.
2. Select Emergency unblocking.

We’ll help you get back in.

If you’re trying to uninstall AppBlock but can’t, it’s most likely because Strict Mode is active with the “Disable app uninstalling” option turned on. This is by design — it keeps your blocks working.

How to uninstall AppBlock

You’ll need to deactivate Strict Mode first.

1. Open AppBlock and go to Strict Mode.
2. Fulfill the unlock condition you set (PIN, Charger, Timer, Cooldown, Follow schedules, or Approval Contact).
3. Once Strict Mode is off, you can uninstall AppBlock normally — long-press the icon and tap Remove App → Delete App.

If you can’t deactivate Strict Mode

If you don’t have access to your unlock method, use the Emergency Unblocking flow:

1. Open AppBlock and go to Contact support.
2. Select Emergency unblocking.
3. Follow the steps to deactivate Strict Mode.

Once Strict Mode is off, you can uninstall AppBlock the normal way.

Good to know

If you’re uninstalling AppBlock because something isn’t working as expected, reach out to support first — we’d love a chance to help fix it before you go.

If you’ve forgotten the PIN code that opens AppBlock, you can reset it with a one-time unlock code from our support team. Here’s how.

Step 1: Get the unlock code

1. Open AppBlock and go to Profile > Help > Contact support.
2. Select the “Other” category.
3. Type “Unblock me” and you should get an automatic message with instructions. Ignore those and only use the code in the message. (Check your Spam folder if you cannot find the email.)

Step 2: Enter the unlock code

1. Open AppBlock so you see the PIN entry screen.
2. Tap the AppBlock logo 5 times quickly, just above the PIN entry bar.
3. A pop-up window will appear.
4. Enter the unlock code you received from support.

This will reset your AppBlock launch PIN.

Good to know

The unlock code is one-time use only — it’s part of what keeps Strict Mode meaningful.

If you can’t access your apps and need to regain control, don’t worry, there’s always a way out. Here’s how to unblock yourself, depending on your situation.

If Strict Mode is not active

Just adjust or disable your schedule:

1. Open AppBlock.
2. Go to Schedules.
3. Edit, pause, or turn off the schedule that’s blocking you.

Quick Block can be stopped the same way — open AppBlock and tap Stop Quick Block.

If Strict Mode is active

You’ll need to fulfill the unlock condition you chose when activating Strict Mode:

• PIN — enter your PIN.
• Charger — plug your phone into a charger.
• Timer — wait for the timer to expire.
• Cooldown — start the unlock and wait out the cooldown.
• Follow schedules — wait until your schedules are no longer active.
• Approval Contact — ask your trusted person to approve your unlock request.

If you can’t fulfill your unlock condition

Use our Emergency Unblocking flow:

1. Open AppBlock and go to Profile > Help > Contact support.
2. Select Emergency unblocking as the reason for contacting us.

If you are locked by Follow Schedules or Timer unlock condition, you’ll be guided through a short emergency flow. Once completed, Strict Mode will be disabled once.

If your version doesn’t include the emergency flow

No problem — we can help you manually. Contact support and we’ll send you a one-time unlock code to disable Strict Mode and remove your PIN (if one was set).

Good to know

Strict Mode is intentionally hard to bypass, that’s what makes it work. The emergency flow is here for real emergencies, not for moments of weakness.