We're here to help.
First off, we know this can be frustrating - and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
If you've turned on "Block Adult Content" in Roots but adult websites are still accessible, this usually means the restriction isn't being applied properly by Apple's Screen Time system. Let's get this fixed.
Important note about iOS 26
If you're on iOS 26, you may notice that private browsing is still enabled in Safari - this is actually expected behavior. Apple improved their system so that adult content filtering works even with private browsing enabled. The key thing to check is whether adult websites are actually being blocked, not whether private browsing is disabled.
Quick fixes to try
1. Reload blocking
This refreshes the connection with Apple's Screen Time API and should apply the restriction:
Go to Roots > Help (top of the screen) > Reload Blocking
Wait a few seconds, then test whether adult sites are blocked
2. Verify your iOS settings
Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > App Store, Media, Web & Games > Web Content and make sure this is set to "Limit Adult Websites" (not "Unrestricted Access")
This should automatically sync with your Roots settings, but sometimes iOS needs a manual check.
3. Restart your iPhone
Sometimes iOS needs a full restart to apply the restriction properly, especially after system updates:
Power off your iPhone completely
Turn it back on
Open Roots and try "Reload Blocking" again
4. Reset Screen Time permissions
If the above steps don't work, try refreshing Roots' connection to Screen Time:
Go to Settings > Screen Time
Find "Roots" and remove Screen Time access temporarily
Re-open Roots and give Screen Time permissions again when prompted
Turn "Block Adult Content" on again in Roots
How does "Block Adult Content" work?
Roots uses Apple's Screen Time API to activate Adult Web Content Restrictions on your device. When this is turned on, it applies Apple's built-in filtering system, which is designed to block access to adult websites across Safari and other browsers. Apple maintains and updates this blocklist directly, not Roots.
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!