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Why am I seeing a red exclamation mark on a "Block"?

Updated over 2 weeks ago

We're here to help.

First off, we know this can be frustrating. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

If you’re seeing a red exclamation mark inside a circle next to a block (as shown in the image below), it means there’s a problem with the blocking setup.


This can happen for a few reasons:

  • The app selection might not have saved correctly

  • Roots may not have the correct permissions to block apps

  • There could be a sync issue with Apple "Screen Time"

What to do next

  1. Tap on the block or app with the exclamation mark
    You should see a message or option to either:

    • Reload permissions, or

    • Fix the blocking item

  2. Follow the prompt shown in Roots
    This will typically walk you through restoring the correct permissions or reselecting the affected apps.

  3. Still not working?

    • Try tapping “Help” at the top of the Roots app and then tap Reload Blocking.

If the issue persists:

Please send us a screenshot or screen recording of the exclamation mark and what happens when you tap on it.

You can contact us directly by going to: "Roots > Profile > Account Settings (top of the screen) > Help Center (under Help & Support) > Scroll down to Contact Us".

We’ll help you get it sorted!

Need more help?

Get personal help from one of our founders here. We know this can be frustrating, and we appreciate your patience. We're happy to assist—and we’ll even reward you for your valuable time!

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