What AppBlock can and cannot block on Android
AppBlock works hard to give you control over your screen time, but Android devices vary a lot between manufacturers — and some things are simply outside what any app can reliably control. Here’s an honest overview of what’s possible.
What AppBlock can block on Android
- Apps — almost any app, including several system apps on most devices.
- Websites in supported browsers — see “Which browsers are supported by AppBlock?” for the full list.
- Keywords — block any URL containing specific words, with In domain or Anywhere in URL scope.
- Specific in-app content — Instagram Reels and Stories, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat Stories and Spotlight (from AppBlock 7.5.0).
- Adult content — via the Porn sites blocking feature.
- Newly installed apps — automatically, if you turn this option on.
- Apps based on time, usage, launch count, location, or Wi-Fi — and you can combine these conditions.
What AppBlock cannot fully block on Android
- Pop-up view / floating windows — we haven’t found a reliable way to block apps running in floating or pop-up mode on all devices.
- Dual apps — the “second” version of an app created by dual-app features isn’t visible to AppBlock as a separate app.
- Some manufacturer-specific behaviors — certain devices have custom settings that can interfere with blocking, Accessibility, or background activity.
- Settings on some devices — depending on the manufacturer, parts of Settings may remain accessible even with Strict Mode active.
- Safe Mode — third-party apps, including AppBlock, are disabled while your device is in Safe Mode.
Why these limits exist
AppBlock relies on Android’s Accessibility service, Usage access, and other system permissions to detect and block apps and websites. Android is open, but every manufacturer customizes it differently — which means behavior that works perfectly on one device might need a workaround on another.
Good to know
We continuously test AppBlock across devices and update it as we find new solutions. If something isn’t working as expected, check Profile → Help → Troubleshooting — many device-specific fixes are listed there.
