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# How can I use a blocked app right now?

The right option depends on which block is running: take a **Pause** (a Break) if a Scheduled Block or Block Now is active and breaks are allowed, use **Snooze** if Auto Block hasn't fired yet, or, as a last resort, **Urgent Unblock** in **Settings**. Start with the gentlest option that fits your situation; Urgent Unblock is the emergency release, not the first move.

These are three different tools, not interchangeable: **Pause** interrupts one actively-running Scheduled Block or Block Now for a few minutes, **Snooze** holds Auto Block off *before* it fires, and **Urgent Unblock** ends every active block at once but only once every 24 hours per device. Pick by the block you're facing, below.

> If you already know which one you need: **Pause a running Scheduled Block or Block Now** → see [What are Breaks?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-are-breaks-jeekqu/). **Pause Auto Block monitoring before it fires** → see [What is Snooze?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-snooze-pvjp5t/). **Release every block right now in a real emergency** → see [What is Urgent Unblock?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-urgent-unblock-rp1j5l/). **The opposite, making your blocks harder to escape** → see [How do I stop myself from getting around my own blocks?](#).

## 1. A Scheduled Block or Block Now is running: take a Pause

If the block currently on your apps is a Scheduled Block or Block Now and breaks are allowed on it, tap **Pause** on the **My current block** widget on the Detox home screen to use your app for a few minutes; the block resumes on its own afterward. Full steps: [What are Breaks?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-are-breaks-jeekqu/).

## 2. Auto Block hasn't fired yet: use Snooze

If Auto Block is your active block and it hasn't triggered yet, open Detox and tap **Snooze** on the **My current block** widget before it fires, so you can use a monitored app without getting blocked. Snooze only works with Auto Block, and only *before* the block starts. Full steps: [What is Snooze?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-snooze-pvjp5t/).

## 3. Nothing above fits, or it's a real emergency: Urgent Unblock

If you're already blocked and neither a Pause nor a Snooze applies, and you genuinely can't wait, use **Urgent Unblock** in **Detox → Settings**, once every 24 hours per device. This is the last resort. Full steps: [What is Urgent Unblock?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-urgent-unblock-rp1j5l/).

## If none of these applies

If you've already blocked yourself, breaks aren't allowed on that block, and Snooze no longer applies because Auto Block has already fired, the intended path is to wait the block out. Urgent Unblock is there for genuine emergencies, not routine access, and it's capped at one use every 24 hours per device.

## Related

- [What are Breaks?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-are-breaks-jeekqu/)
- [What is Snooze?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-snooze-pvjp5t/)
- [What is Urgent Unblock?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-urgent-unblock-rp1j5l/)