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# Why can't I uninstall Detox?

If you're trying to delete Detox from your home screen and the option isn't there (or the delete simply fails), it's almost always because **Detox is intentionally locked against deletion right now**. The most common cause is **an active Strict Mode block**: wait for the block to end (or use **Urgent Unblock**) and the protection lifts. Two other layers can also block deletion: an **iOS Screen Time Passcode**, and an **iOS Screen Time restriction** on app deletion. All three causes and their fixes are below.

> If you meant something else: **apps aren't blocking when they should** → see [Detox isn't blocking my apps. How do I fix it?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/detox-isnt-blocking-my-apps-how-do-i-fix-it-1wtcxxr/). **You want to cancel your subscription instead** → see [How do I cancel my subscription?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/how-do-i-cancel-my-subscription-32biyu/). **You want a refund** → see [How do I get a refund?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/how-do-i-get-a-refund-1hpxy5k/). **Some Home Screen icons turned blank or white** → see [Why are some of my app icons blank or white?](#).

## Cause 1: a Strict Mode block is currently active

If you have a Scheduled Block or a Block Now session running with **Strict Mode** enabled on it, Detox tells iOS to prevent the app from being uninstalled until the block ends. This is by design: Strict Mode is meant to make a block hard to escape, and being able to delete the app would be the easiest possible escape.

**Fix**: wait for the block to end naturally. Once it ends, the uninstall protection lifts automatically and you can delete Detox normally. If you genuinely need access *right now* and the block is in your way, the in-app **Urgent Unblock** still works during Strict Mode (it's the deliberate escape valve). Once you've used Urgent Unblock to release the block, the uninstall protection also lifts.

See [What is Strict Mode?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-strict-mode-1xqv27s/) for what's active during Strict Mode and [What is Urgent Unblock?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-urgent-unblock-rp1j5l/) for the emergency release.

## Cause 2: iOS Screen Time Passcode is preventing it

If you've set up an **iOS Screen Time Passcode** (a separate, iOS-level feature; not a Detox feature), iOS prevents deleting Detox without entering that passcode. This is the same protection that prevents disabling Detox's Screen Time permission.

**Fix**: enter the Screen Time Passcode when iOS prompts for it. If you don't know the passcode (because you asked a trusted person to set it on your behalf, or you genuinely forgot it), see the recovery path in [How do I use iOS's Screen Time Passcode to lock Detox?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/how-do-i-use-ioss-screen-time-passcode-to-lock-detox-jgue9n/).

## Cause 3: iOS Screen Time restrictions

A more general iOS Screen Time setting can also prevent app deletion. Check **iPhone Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases → Deleting Apps** (the path varies slightly by iOS version). If this is set to **Don't Allow**, no app on your device can be deleted, regardless of Detox's own protections.

**Fix**: switch it to **Allow**. You may need to enter your Screen Time Passcode to change the setting if one is set.

## "I really need to uninstall right now"

If you've gone through the causes above and you still can't delete Detox, contact us through the in-app chat (Detox → **Settings** → **Problems with blocks?** → **Something else**, or via **detox.so** in a browser if you can't open the app). Tell us which protection layers are involved and we'll help you sort it.

## Related

- [What is Strict Mode?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-strict-mode-1xqv27s/)
- [How do I use iOS's Screen Time Passcode to lock Detox?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/how-do-i-use-ioss-screen-time-passcode-to-lock-detox-jgue9n/)
- [What is Urgent Unblock?](https://help.detox.so/en/article/what-is-urgent-unblock-rp1j5l/)