Why are settings still accessible in Strict Mode on some devices?
If you’ve activated Block device settings in Strict Mode but can still get into parts of your Settings app, this is usually expected behavior on certain devices — not a bug.
Why this happens
Android manufacturers customize their Settings apps differently, and some Settings menus are harder for Accessibility-based tools to fully restrict than others. On some devices, certain Settings screens may remain reachable even with Block device settings active.
The Show Available Settings option
AppBlock has a setting called Show Available Settings (Profile → Customize → Blocking preferences → Show Available Settings).
When enabled, some parts of Settings are intentionally left accessible while Strict Mode is active. This can be useful so you’re not completely locked out of essential settings like Wi-Fi or volume.
If you want Settings to be as locked down as possible, make sure this option is turned off.
What you can do
- Check Profile → Customize → Blocking preferences → Show Available Settings and turn it off if you want maximum restriction.
- Combine Block device settings with Block recent apps for stronger coverage.
- Check Profile → Help → Troubleshooting for any device-specific guidance for your manufacturer.
Good to know
Some manufacturer-level settings, such as those controlling Accessibility services themselves, may always remain accessible. This is by design from Android, since users need a way to manage Accessibility permissions even if an app tries to restrict them.
