If you need to unblock in an emergency, click here
Here are a few things to try:
1) Some websites or apps can cause related apps to be blocked
Apps from the same company may also be blocked when you choose a website or apps that are related to the company who owns the app. This is a bug from Apple.
Facebook.com can block WhatsApp, Messenger, or other Meta apps
Amazon.com can block Audible or Amazon AEA
In rare cases Facebook app can block other Meta apps (ex: Meta View)
Here is one thing to try:
Go to "iOS Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed"
Then, add the app you want to access as "Always Allowed"
Save, and see if that allows you to access the app
If this doesn't work, since right now there is not a good workaround due to Apple limitations, we suggest you remove the websites or apps from your blocking to avoid this issue. Sorry for the inconvenience!
2) Check if apps are being blocked in multiple places (i.e. Challenges)
Go to "Roots > Blocking (bottom tab)"
Tap on each block you’ve created to check if the apps are being blocked in multiple places. If so, you’ll need to unblock them from each individual block
Next, go to “Roots > Today (bottom tab) > Account settings (top left) > Challenges (under Blocking)" — you’ll also need to unblock the apps from here if they’re listed
3) Check if "Social" category is blocked
In the app picker, Apple’s categorization groups communication apps like WhatsApp, Messages, and others under "Social".
If you’ve selected "Social" as a category to block, it may be causing multiple communications apps to be blocked unintentionally.
Go to the block that has "Social" selected
Unselect "Social" as a category
Instead, block individual social media apps you want restricted
3) Remove any blocking you have set up outside of Roots
If you have any blocking active in iOS "Screen Time" or other screen time apps, it can cause issues and make the Roots blocks to not work properly
Remove any existing blocking you have outside of the Roots app
Remove screen time permissions from other screen time apps
4) Reload blocking
Go to "Roots > Blocking (bottom tab) > Tap Help (top right) > Tap Reload blocking." You can also tap "Reload blocks" below your blocks on the "Blocking" tab.
Have an emergency?
If you need to unblock in an emergency, click here
If the problem persists:
Please send us:
A screenshot of your "Roots > Blocking" page
A quick note on which steps of this guide you’ve already tried
Please contact us by tapping the chat bubble below