Frequently Asked Questions

General & Privacy

Is AmnShield completely free?

The core features like App Blocking, Focus Mode, and basic Keyword Filtering are completely free. Advanced AI features like Smart Blur may require a premium subscription to support ongoing development.

Does my data leave my device?

No. All keyword filtering, app usage monitoring, and AI moderation happens 100% locally on your device. We do not have servers that collect your usage history, keywords, or images. Your data stays yours.

Why does AmnShield need Accessibility permissions?

AmnShield uses Android's Accessibility API to read the text currently on your screen (to check for blocked keywords) and to detect which app you are using so it can enforce your block schedules and Focus Mode. We do not use this permission to collect or transmit any data.

Features & Configuration

How does the Smart Blur AI work?

Smart Blur uses an on-device TensorFlow Lite machine learning model to analyze images before they load fully on your screen. If inappropriate content (based on your sensitivity settings) is detected, the image is blurred instantly. This entire process happens on your phone without sending images to any cloud server.

What are "Cheat Hours"?

Cheat Hours allow you to set specific, limited time windows where certain blocked apps are temporarily allowed. Once the cheat window expires, the normal block behavior resumes automatically.

Can I prevent myself from easily uninstalling the app?

Yes. AmnShield includes an Anti-Uninstall lock that can prevent the app from being uninstalled without a password or a time-delayed lock. This is ideal for accountability setups and parental controls.

Troubleshooting

Why isn't Smart Blur blocking everything?

Smart Blur operates on adjustable sensitivity levels (Low, Balanced, Strict). If you are seeing too many false positives or negatives, try adjusting the sensitivity in the Smart Features settings. Note that browsers have stricter thresholds by default compared to social media apps.

My schedule isn't triggering. What's wrong?

Ensure that AmnShield has the "Appear on Top" (Overlay) and "Usage Access" permissions enabled. Also, check if your device's battery optimization is killing the AmnShield background service. We recommend excluding AmnShield from battery optimization.