Articles on: Using Detox

Can I block different apps at different times?

Yes. You make one App Group for each set of apps, then attach each group to its own Scheduled Block on a separate, non-overlapping time window. A group on a 9 to 5 schedule blocks one set of apps during work hours, and a different group on a 6 to 10pm schedule blocks another set in the evening.


This uses two features together: App Groups hold the sets of apps, and Scheduled Blocks decide when each set is blocked. It is not the same as Auto Block, which is a single always-on block tied to one group, and not the same as Block Now, which is a one-off session you start by hand rather than a recurring schedule.


If you meant something else: how the groups themselves work → see What are App Groups?. Set up a single recurring time-window block → see What are Scheduled Blocks?. Block a set of apps right now for a fixed length of time → see What is Block Now?.


The setup, step by step


Say you want social apps blocked during the workday and email blocked in the evening.


  1. Open Detox and go to the Settings tab.
  2. Tap the Monitored Apps card to open your list of groups.
  3. Tap New Group, give it an emoji and a name like 📱 Social, and add your social apps. Save.
  4. Tap New Group again, make a 📧 Email group, and add your mail apps. Save.
  5. Go back and create a Scheduled Block. When Detox asks Which apps?, pick your Social group, and set the window to 9:00 to 17:00.
  6. Create a second Scheduled Block, pick your Email group, and set the window to 18:00 to 22:00.


Now Social is blocked 9 to 5 and Email is blocked 6 to 10pm, each on its own group. You can use the same pattern for any number of sets, within the limits below.


Choosing the group for each block


Every Scheduled Block has its own Which apps? picker. You can point it at:


  • A group you created, so the block always covers that set, or
  • Just these apps, a one-off selection for that single block that is not saved as a group.


Save stays disabled until you choose. Picking a different group for each schedule is the whole mechanism that lets different apps be blocked at different times.


Limits to know


  • Schedules can't overlap. Two Scheduled Blocks cannot cover the same time window. Give each block a distinct, non-overlapping span so they take turns through the day.
  • Up to 10 blocks total. Your Auto Block plus all your Scheduled Blocks can add up to 10. Block Now and screen-time tracking do not count toward that number.
  • One Auto Block, one group. Auto Block is always tied to your initial group, so it is not part of this per-schedule setup. More Auto Blocks are marked Coming Soon and are not available yet.



Updated on: 23/06/2026

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!