Frequently Asked Questions

General & Privacy

Is AmnShield completely free?

The core features like App Blocking, Keyword Filtering, and Website Blocker are completely free. Premium features like Focus Mode, custom Unified Schedules, and advanced Launch Limits require a premium subscription to support ongoing development.

Does my data leave my device?

No. All keyword filtering, app usage monitoring, and domain filtering happens 100% locally on your device. We do not have servers that collect your usage history, keywords, or browsing patterns. Your data stays yours.

Why does AmnShield need Accessibility permissions?

AmnShield uses Android's Accessibility API to read the text currently on your screen (to check for blocked keywords) and to detect which app you are using so it can enforce your block schedules and Focus Mode. We do not use this permission to collect or transmit any data.

Features & Configuration

How does the Website Blocker work?

AmnShield checks your browser URL loads against local domain blocklists. When you visit a website, the Accessibility Service matches it against the active domain lists (e.g., adult domains, social media, gaming) entirely on-device and redirects you if there is a match. Since it runs 100% locally, your browsing history never leaves your device.

What are "Cheat Hours"?

Cheat Hours allow you to set specific, limited time windows where certain blocked apps are temporarily allowed. Once the cheat window expires, the normal block behavior resumes automatically.

Can I prevent myself from easily uninstalling the app?

Yes. AmnShield includes an Anti-Uninstall lock that can prevent the app from being uninstalled without a password or a time-delayed lock. This is ideal for accountability setups and parental controls.

Troubleshooting

How do I block custom websites?

Navigate to the Blocks dashboard -> Website Blocker. Tap on Custom Domains to add specific websites to your custom blocklist or whitelist them so they are never blocked by any active filter packs.

My schedule isn't triggering. What's wrong?

Ensure that AmnShield has the "Appear on Top" (Overlay) and "Usage Access" permissions enabled. Also, check if your device's battery optimization is killing the AmnShield background service. We recommend excluding AmnShield from battery optimization.