When an app blocker stops working on Android, the phone is usually closing it to save battery, or a permission was turned off. Set the blocker's battery use to Unrestricted, allow Autostart if your phone has it, lock the app in recent apps, and check that Usage access and Display over other apps are still on.
These steps work for Focus and for most other Android app blockers. Go through the checklist first, then the settings for your phone's brand.
Quick checklist
- Permissions are on. In Android Settings, check that the blocker still has Usage access and Display over other apps. Updates and cleaner apps sometimes turn them off.
- The notification is showing. Focus keeps a “Focus Protection Active” notification while it protects you. If it is gone, open Focus and check for a red banner.
- Battery use is unrestricted. This is the usual cause when blocking stops after a while or overnight. See your brand below.
- No cleaner or booster app is closing it. Phone cleaner and “RAM booster” apps close background apps; add the blocker to their allow list.
Settings for your phone
Menu names change between Android versions, so yours may differ slightly. If you can't find a setting, search for the bold words in your phone's Settings search bar.
Samsung (One UI)
- Settings → Apps → Focus → Battery, and choose Unrestricted.
- Settings → Battery (or Battery and device care → Battery) → Background usage limits. Make sure Focus isn't in Sleeping apps or Deep sleeping apps, and add it to Never sleeping apps.
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (HyperOS or MIUI)
- Settings → Apps → Manage apps → Focus, and turn on Autostart.
- On the same screen, open Battery saver and choose No restrictions.
- Open your recent apps, then long-press (or pull down on) the Focus card and tap the lock icon, so clearing recent apps doesn't close it.
OnePlus, Oppo and Realme (OxygenOS, ColorOS, Realme UI)
- Settings → Apps → App management → Focus → Battery usage, and turn on Allow background activity and, if you see them, Allow auto launch and Allow foreground activity.
- Lock Focus in recent apps, the same way as on Xiaomi phones.
Vivo and iQOO (Funtouch OS, OriginOS)
- Settings → Battery → Background power consumption management, find Focus and choose Allow (the wording varies; look for “high background power consumption”).
- Look for Autostart under Settings → Apps or in the i Manager app, and allow Focus.
Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia and other near-stock Android
- Settings → Apps → Focus → App battery usage, and choose Unrestricted.
For other brands and the latest per-model details, the community site dontkillmyapp.com keeps up-to-date instructions.
Still not working?
If you use Focus, open the app: a red banner shows anything that still needs fixing, with a Fix button. Our help center covers more problems, and you can email us at support@arrowway.online with your phone model.
Setting up blocking for the first time? Start with how to block apps on Android.
Common questions
Why does my app blocker stop working overnight?
Your phone is most likely closing it to save battery. Many Android phones, especially from Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, OnePlus and Samsung, stop background apps after a while. Set the blocker's battery use to unrestricted and allow it to start by itself.
Why can I still open a blocked app?
Usually because a permission is off. Focus needs Usage access to see a blocked app open and Display over other apps to cover it. If either is switched off, Focus shows a “Blocking is paused” notification with a button to turn it back on.
Does turning off battery optimisation drain my battery?
Not noticeably for an app blocker. Battery optimisation decides whether your phone may close an app in the background. Turning it off for one app lets that app keep running; it doesn't make the app use more power on its own.
Does app blocking keep working after a restart?
In Focus, yes. After a restart or an update, blocking turns back on by itself if a session, schedule or rule still needs it and the permissions are on.