If you are having trouble using Freedom to block apps or websites on your Android device, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.

Apps or websites are not blocked

If you're running a session but apps or websites are not being blocked, follow these steps to ensure the necessary permissions are enabled:

1. Enable Permissions

Open the Freedom app.
Go to the Settings tab.
Tap Blocking Settings.
Scroll down to the Needed Permissions section.
Look for Block Applications and Websites and tap Enable.
You will be redirected to the permissions screen. Ensure that all required permissions for Freedom are turned on.

After enabling, the status should say "Enabled."

2. If You Can't Find the Permission

If tapping "Block Applications and Websites" takes you to the Accessibility screen but the Freedom permission doesn't appear, check for a page called "Installed Services" or "Added Services". Freedom may be listed there.

3. Adjust Battery Optimization Settings

If blocking is still not working after enabling permissions, you may need to adjust your battery optimization settings. For more information, see Android Battery Optimization Settings.

Apps or websites are blocked unexpectedly

If a website or app is blocked unexpectedly on Android during a block session, here's what to do:

1. Confirm blocklist contents

Open the Freedom Android app and navigate to Blocklists. Tap your active blocklist to edit it.

To check blocked websites: Under Blocked Websites, verify the affected website is not listed.
To check blocked apps: Tap Add or Remove Android Apps and confirm the affected app is not selected. If it is, toggle it off and save your changes.
Repeat these steps for every blocklist included in your active session.

2. Check category filters

While editing your blocklist, tap Add or Remove Websites under Blocked Websites. Review both Filter Categories and Filter Presets.

If any filters are toggled on, tap each one to expand it and view its included websites and apps.
If the affected website or app appears within a filter, toggle that filter off and save your changes.

⚠️ Check for system apps on your blocklist

If a core Android feature stops working during a Freedom session, check your blocklist for system apps.

Common examples include input methods, or other system-level apps that may have been added to a blocklist unintentionally.

To fix this: In the Freedom app, go to Blocklists > tap your active blocklist > tap Add or Remove Android Apps > locate the affected app and toggle it off > save your changes.

Notifications aren't blocked

To block notifications from apps during a session, you need to enable a separate permission.

1. Enable Notification Blocking Permission

Open the Freedom app.
Navigate to Settings > Blocking Settings.
Look for the option to Disable notifications and ensure it is toggled on.
Scroll down to Block Notifications under Needed Permissions and tap Enable if needed.

Freedom App loses permissions after they've been enabled

If your device is losing accessibility permissions after you've already enabled them, this may be due to interference from other settings or apps.

1. Interference from Battery-Saving Services

Some devices, like Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and others, may automatically remove or revoke accessibility services. This is often due to battery-saving features.

To fix this, follow the guidance in Android Battery Optimization Settings. Additionally, some devices may label battery optimization settings differently. Look for terms such as 'Battery Saver,' 'Background Restrictions,' or 'Power Management' to locate where app optimizations are configured. Set Freedom to 'Unrestricted' or 'Not Optimized' to ensure its background processes function properly.

2. Interference from Cleaner Apps

“Cleaner apps” designed to optimize device storage and performance may accidentally reset permissions, including those for Freedom.

Exclude Freedom from cleaning or optimization in the cleaner app’s settings to prevent this.

3. Interference from Accessibility Shortcut

Some devices may have a Freedom Shortcut in the accessibility settings, which can inadvertently disable the app’s permissions.

To Disable the Freedom Shortcut:

Go to Android Settings and search for Accessibility.
Tap on Freedom to open its settings.
Toggle Freedom Shortcut off.
Ensure that Use Freedom is set to ON.
If Freedom is still not working, try toggling Use Freedom OFF and then ON again.

If you have tried these steps, and you are still having trouble with Freedom losing permissions, please contact our team at [email protected] and we can provide you with further assistance.

Freedom app notifies you to enable permissions, but they are already enabled

If Freedom notifies you to enable permissions but they appear to already be enabled, a battery-saver setting may have revoked access.

Fix:

Go to Android Accessibility Settings.
Turn the permission for Freedom OFF, then back ON.
Open the Freedom app again, and the status should show as Enabled next to "Block Apps and Websites."

For more details, check out Android Battery Optimization Settings.