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# What are Breaks?

A break is a way to pause an actively-running block for a short window so you can use a normally-blocked app, then the block resumes automatically. You take a break from the Detox **home page**, on the **My current block** widget, by tapping **Pause**. The button only appears if **Allow breaks** is on for that block.

Breaks only apply to **Scheduled Blocks** and **Block Now**. Auto Block uses a different mechanism called **Snooze** (which pauses monitoring *before* a block fires). For an emergency release of every active block in one shot, see **Urgent Unblock**, not breaks.

> If you meant something else: **Pause Auto Block monitoring before a block fires** → see [What is Snooze?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-snooze-pvjp5t/). **Release every block right now in an emergency** → see [What is Urgent Unblock?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-urgent-unblock-rp1j5l/).

## How they work

When you take a break, the apps blocked by the active block are released for the duration you pick. Your block stays "running" in the background; when the break time is up, the block resumes and your apps are blocked again.

You can take more than one break during a single block session. There's no fixed cap on the number of breaks; you're only limited by the per-break duration setting.

## Enabling breaks

Breaks are optional per block. When you create or edit a Scheduled Block or Block Now, look for the **Allow breaks** toggle. If it's off, the Pause option won't appear during the block.

If you enable breaks, two related settings become relevant:

| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Max break duration | 15 min (Scheduled Blocks) / 5 min (Block Now) | When you take a break, you can pick a duration up to this number |
| Friction countdown (pause delay) | 0 sec (Scheduled Blocks) / 3 sec (Block Now) | A short **Take a breath before pausing...** wait before the duration picker appears. Set to 0 to skip it |

Both settings are configurable per block. The friction countdown is a small intentional barrier between you and a break: raise it if you find yourself reaching for breaks too quickly.

## Taking a break

To pause an active block:

1. On the Detox home screen, find the **My current block** widget showing your active block.
2. Tap **Pause** on the widget. The Pause sheet opens.
3. If a friction countdown is configured, the sheet shows a **Take a breath before pausing...** wait.
4. After the countdown, pick a duration up to the max break setting (the title updates live to **Unblock your apps for X min**).
5. Tap **Pause** to confirm (or **Nevermind** to cancel).

Your apps unblock for the chosen duration.

## While on a break

While the block is paused, the **My current block** widget shows your block with a **Break - {time remaining}** badge and a live countdown. The action button becomes **Resume**.

If you tap your active block during a break, you see a **Pause options** sheet with two buttons:

- **Resume** ends the break early. The block resumes and your apps are blocked again.
- **Stop** ends the block entirely. For a Scheduled Block, this deactivates the current occurrence (the schedule still runs on its next scheduled day). For a Block Now session, this ends the session.

If you do nothing, the break ends automatically when the duration runs out and the block resumes.

## Breaks and Strict Mode

Strict Mode and breaks are independent. Even when Strict Mode is on, breaks still work as long as **Allow breaks** is on in the block's config. Strict Mode only locks the block's settings, your Monitored Apps, and the ability to uninstall Detox; it doesn't disable the Pause button.

If you want a block where breaks are genuinely off-limits, turn **Allow breaks** off when configuring the block.

## What Breaks don't do

- Breaks don't apply to Auto Block. Use **Snooze** instead, which pauses Auto Block monitoring before a block fires.
- Breaks aren't an escape valve for emergencies. If you need full access right now and your break duration won't be enough, use **Urgent Unblock**.
- Breaks don't carry over between sessions. The "no fixed cap" only applies within one active block; when the block ends, your break count resets.

## Related

- [What are Scheduled Blocks?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-are-scheduled-blocks-1h4fbrr/)
- [What is Block Now?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-block-now-1ik0nma/)
- [What is Snooze?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-snooze-pvjp5t/)
- [What is Strict Mode?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-strict-mode-1xqv27s/)