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Can I exclude or "Whitelist" certain apps from "Screen Time" reports?

How do I exclude or whitelist apps from ever being blocked?

Updated this week

We're here to help.

You may have certain apps you do not want to include in your screen time reporting or other areas of Roots. Here are the most common scenarios:

1) Exclude apps from your "Balance Score", "Total Daily Screen Time", "Dopamine Hits", and "App Usage Reports".

Go to "Roots > Profile > Account Settings (top of the screen) > Exclude Apps From Usage Reports". Any apps added here will not be included in:

  • Balance Score

  • Total Screen Time

  • App Usage Reports


NOTE: Excluded apps can still be blocked by Roots if they’re part of an active block. If you don’t want them to be blocked, go to "Roots > Blocking" and remove those apps from your active blocks.

If the apps are being blocked in "Challenges" you will have to remove them from there too.

We’re actively working on making this flow much smoother. Stay tuned for updates.


Related Article:


2) Exclude apps from ever being blocked

If you have certain apps that you do not ever want to be blocked for any reason, you can add them as "Always Allow" in iOS settings:

  • From your phone (not Roots) go to "iOS Settings > Screen Time"

  • Go to "Always Allow"

  • Add the apps you want to exclude from ever being blocked


3) Exclude apps from your "Blocks"

  • Open your "Block": "Time Limit", "Time of Day" or "All Day (Limited Unblocks)"

  • Go to "Select Apps"

  • Search for the apps you want to exclude, and uncheck them


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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