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  1. 1. Why Restrict High-Risk Apps?
  2. 2. iOS App Restrictions (iOS 16+)
  3. Setup & Parameters:
  4. 3. Android App Pause Interception
  5. Setup & Parameters:
  6. 4. Android Background Keep-Alive Setup
  7. Three Recommended Steps:
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App Restrictions & Pause Interception

Set up Screen Time app restrictions on iOS (16+) or on-device pause interception screens on Android, plus background keep-alive settings.

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1. Why Restrict High-Risk Apps?

Triggers often begin in everyday social media, short-video apps, or browsers long before visiting an explicit site. Adding app restrictions or a pause screen creates a crucial few seconds of awareness when you tap a high-risk app icon, helping you step back and choose intentionally.

2. iOS App Restrictions (iOS 16+)

On iOS 16 and later, Transform integrates with Apple’s Screen Time (FamilyControls) framework.

Setup & Parameters:

  1. Authorize Screen Time: In the Protection tab, tap App Restrictions and approve Screen Time access via Face ID / Touch ID.
  2. Select Restricted Targets:
    • Individual Apps: Pick specific apps installed on your iPhone or iPad;
    • App Categories: Select entire categories (such as Social Networking or Entertainment) at once.
  3. Privacy by Design: Apple’s picker uses opaque system tokens—Transform cannot see the raw list of apps installed on your device, and all restrictions are enforced directly by iOS.

3. Android App Pause Interception

On Android, when you open an app you have selected for protection, Transform displays an on-device Pause Screen reminding you of your goal and offering a quick exit or breathing exercise.

Setup & Parameters:

  1. Choose Protected Apps: Open Protection → App Interception and toggle on the apps where you want a pause reminder.
  2. Grant Required Local Permissions:
    • Follow the prompt to grant Usage Access / Accessibility / Overlay permissions so Transform can detect when a selected app enters the foreground;
    • Strict Privacy Boundary: Transform only checks whether the foreground package matches your selected list—it never reads chat messages, screen text, or personal content inside any app.

4. Android Background Keep-Alive Setup

On devices from manufacturers with aggressive battery management (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, vivo), the system may stop background protection services when the screen is locked.

  1. Set Battery Usage to “Unrestricted”:
    • Open Settings → Apps → Transform → Battery and select Unrestricted (or allow background activity / auto-launch).
  2. Lock the App in Recent Tasks:
    • Open your recent apps switcher, long-press or pull down on the Transform card, and tap the Lock icon so “Clear All” does not terminate it.
  3. Reconcile After Device Reboot:
    • If protection stops after restarting your phone, simply open the Transform Protection tab once to automatically restore active rules.