Set up app blocking on Android
To block distracting apps on a schedule, Mom Clock needs to know when one of them opens, cover it with a blocking screen, and keep running in the background. On Android, each of these is a separate system permission.
Required permissions
Turn on all of these for app blocking to work:
| Permission | Why Mom Clock needs it |
|---|---|
| Usage access | Detects when an app you chose to block is opened. It also shows which apps you use and how much time you spend in each one. |
| Display over other apps | Shows the blocking screen on top of an app you chose to block. |
| Disable battery optimization | Stops Android from pausing Mom Clock in the background, so blocking starts on time. |
| Allow background activity | Some phone makers add their own battery limits on top of Android's. This keeps Mom Clock running on those phones. |
Recommended permissions
These keep blocking working reliably, especially when Mom Clock is in the background:
| Permission | Why Mom Clock needs it |
|---|---|
| Notifications | Lets Mom Clock tell you when blocking starts and shows a status notification while blocking is active, which also helps keep blocking running. |
| Alarms & reminders | Starts and ends your blocking schedules on time. |
| Display pop-ups while in background | Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones only. Lets the blocking screen appear while Mom Clock runs in the background. |
Turn on app blocking permissions
When you create a schedule
When you save your first blocking schedule, Mom Clock asks for Usage access and Display over other apps if they're still off. Tap each one, turn it on for Mom Clock in Android settings, then go back. Your schedule is saved once both are on.
Then turn on Disable battery optimization and Allow background activity from Settings, as described below.
Anytime from Settings
- Go to Me → Settings → Permissions.
- Tap Notifications and each permission under Screen Time and App Blocking that isn't turned on yet, then follow the prompts.
Keep blocking running in the background
If blocking stops after you leave Mom Clock, your phone may be limiting background apps. Go to Me → Settings → Permissions, tap Allow background activity, and follow the steps for your phone:
| Phone | Steps |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Add Mom Clock to Never sleeping apps. If that list doesn't open, go to Settings → Battery (or Device care → Battery) → Background usage limits → Never sleeping apps. Remove Mom Clock from Sleeping apps and Deep sleeping apps if it's listed. |
| Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | On Mom Clock's app info page, open Battery saver and select No restrictions. If that isn't available, go to Settings → Battery → App battery saver → Mom Clock. |
| OPPO, OnePlus, realme | On Mom Clock's app info page, open Battery usage and turn on Allow background activity. Tap Allow if asked. |
| Huawei, Honor | In system settings, search for App launch and select Mom Clock. Turn off Manage automatically, then turn on Auto-launch, Secondary launch, and Run in background. |
| vivo, iQOO | Go to Settings → Battery → Background power consumption management, select Mom Clock, and allow it to run in the background. |
| Other phones | On Mom Clock's app info page, open Battery or Battery usage and allow background activity or select Unrestricted. If you can't find it, search system settings for "background activity" or "app battery management". |
On Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones, also tap Display pop-ups while in background and turn on Open new windows while running in the background and Display pop-up windows for Mom Clock. If your settings look different, search system settings for "Other permissions".
Allow auto-launch
When your phone restarts or Mom Clock updates, Mom Clock automatically restores your alarms and blocking schedules. Some phones stop apps from starting on their own, so turn on auto-launch for Mom Clock:
| Phone | Steps |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | On Mom Clock's app info page, turn on Autostart. |
| OPPO, OnePlus, realme | Go to Settings → Apps → Auto launch (or App management → Auto launch) and turn on Mom Clock. |
| Huawei, Honor | Search system settings for App launch, select Mom Clock, turn off Manage automatically, then turn on Auto-launch. |
| vivo, iQOO | Search system settings for Autostart or Background startup and turn on Mom Clock. |
| Samsung and other phones | No separate setting is needed. Follow the background steps above. |
Lock Mom Clock in Recents
On many phones, tapping Clear all in Recents also stops apps running in the background. Lock Mom Clock so it keeps running:
- Open Mom Clock, then open Recents (swipe up from the bottom and hold, or tap the Recents button).
- Find the Mom Clock card. Depending on your phone, swipe down on it, press and hold it, or tap the app icon or ⋮ above it.
- Tap Lock (padlock icon). A lock icon appears on the card.
To unlock it later, repeat these steps and tap Unlock. Not every phone offers this option.
Note: Menu names can vary depending on your phone model and Android version.