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?. You want to cancel your subscription instead → see How do I cancel my subscription?. You want a refund → see How do I get a refund?.

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? for what's active during Strict Mode and What is Urgent Unblock? 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?.

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?
• How do I use iOS's Screen Time Passcode to lock Detox?
• What is Urgent Unblock?

Updated on: 23/05/2026