“Always Allowed Apps” are apps you never want Roots to block. Once an app is on this list, it stays open no matter which block is running.
It’s perfect for apps you rely on throughout the day, like Maps, your banking app, a baby monitor, or a work messaging app.
How do “Always Allowed Apps” work?
Any app you add to “Always Allowed Apps” is exempt from all your blocks. This includes:
“Daily limit”
“Always blocked”
“Blocked hours”
“Blocking timer”
They’re also protected from category blocks. For example, if you’ve blocked Apple’s entire “Social” category but added WhatsApp to “Always Allowed Apps,” WhatsApp will stay accessible while the rest of the “Social” apps are blocked.
If you use “All except,” your “Always Allowed Apps” will automatically stay accessible there too.
How do I add “Always Allowed Apps”?
Open Roots
Go to the “Today” tab (bottom)
Tap “Account settings” (top left)
Under “Blocking,” tap “Always Allowed Apps”
Select the apps you never want blocked
That’s it! These apps will now stay open across every block you’ve set up.
When should I use “Always Allowed Apps”?
Here are a few popular ways people use it:
Essential apps: Keep navigation, banking, calendar, or health apps open at all times.
Category blocking: Block a whole category (like “Social” or “Entertainment”) while keeping one or two apps you need.
Related apps getting blocked: Due to Apple’s Screen Time API, blocking certain websites can also block related apps from the same company. For example, blocking Facebook.com can also block WhatsApp or Messenger, and blocking Amazon.com can also block Audible. Adding the affected app to “Always Allowed Apps” keeps it accessible.
How is this different from iOS “Always Allowed”?
Apple’s own “Always Allowed” setting (in iOS Settings > Screen Time) only applies to Apple’s “Downtime” and “App Limits.” It doesn’t affect Roots blocks.
To keep an app open in Roots, add it to “Always Allowed Apps” inside the Roots app.
How is this different from “Excluded apps”?
“Always Allowed Apps” are never blocked by Roots.
“Excluded apps” aren’t counted in your screen time reports (“Balance Score,” Total Screen Time, and App Usage Reports), but they can still be blocked.
If you want an app to be both untracked and never blocked, add it to both lists.
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