Accessibility

Configure Accessibility Service to intercept and block restricted apps & websites.

Accessibility Service

CommitT requires the Accessibility Service permission to power its digital blocklists. By registering a dedicated accessibility background service, CommitT can intercept app launches, monitor window switches, and prevent self-sabotage in real-time.

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Why it is Required

Modern Android privacy restrictions prevent background applications from querying which app is currently running in the foreground.

• The Limitation: Standard APIs like getRunningTasks() or UsageStats Manager have high latency and can be bypassed.
• The Accessibility Solution: Registering a custom AccessibilityService allows CommitT to receive immediate event callbacks (TYPE_WINDOW_STATE_CHANGED) whenever a user switches apps. If the user attempts to launch a blocklisted application (e.g., Instagram), the service immediately intercepts the navigation and triggers the full-screen blocking overlay.

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Native Implementation

The native module audits the status by checking the secure system settings database to see if BlockerAccessibilityService is active:

private fun isAccessibilityServiceEnabled(context: Context): Boolean {
    val expectedService = "${context.packageName}/expo.modules.blocker.BlockerAccessibilityService"
    val enabledServices = Settings.Secure.getString(
        context.contentResolver,
        Settings.Secure.ENABLED_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICES
    ) ?: ""
    return enabledServices.contains(expectedService)
}

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Requesting the Permission

To request the permission, CommitT directs the user directly to the Android System Accessibility settings list:

"accessibility" -> Intent(Settings.ACTION_ACCESSIBILITY_SETTINGS)

Due to Android security sandbox restrictions, the user must scroll to “Installed Services” (or “Downloaded Apps”), select CommitT Blocker Service, and toggle the switch to On.