Strict Mode: no unlocking early

With Strict Mode on, schedule blocks and daily-limit hits both hold until they naturally reset — an Emergency Unlock is the only override. With it off, you can pass an unlock challenge to keep going past either.

Turn it on

1. On the Restrict tab, tap the gear icon to open Restrict Settings. (It's also in Settings.)
2. Turn on Strict mode.

Turning it on is instant. If some items are set to Locked till you unlock, Descreened first shows what would become reachable only by Emergency Unlock, 24/7. You can then change those items' schedules before confirming. If a schedule you pick unlocks something for part of today, you can choose: apply now with an unlock challenge, or apply at midnight. Strict Mode turns on either way.

Turn it off

Turning Strict Mode off always waits until midnight. There is no way to disable it sooner — that's the point. Confirm with Apply Tomorrow, and a "Strict mode turns off tomorrow" row appears. You can tap Cancel on that row any time before midnight.

What else it affects

• Loosening changes that normally offer a challenge — like raising a daily limit — only offer the midnight option under Strict Mode. See why changes wait until midnight.
• Pausing site blocking to toggle Safari extensions on/off costs an Emergency Unlock. See Safari extension switches grayed out.

Tip: Before enabling Strict Mode, give always-locked items a schedule with a daily open window. Otherwise your only way in is using an Emergency Unlock.