When Prayer Latch stops locking apps on Android, the usual cause is that its Accessibility switch was turned off, often by a phone's battery saver. Turn it back on in Settings → Accessibility → Prayer Latch, set the app's battery use to Unrestricted, and allow precise lock times. Also check that you're inside a lock time and that your free week or Plus is active.
Prayer Latch is a Christian app blocker: it locks the apps you choose at your lock times, like your wake-up time, until you pray and hold to say Amen. If you open a chosen app during a lock time and no prayer screen appears, work through these checks in order. Menus below are from Samsung's, Google's and phone makers' help pages as of October 2026 and vary a little between phones.
1. Is Prayer Latch's Accessibility switch on?
Prayer Latch uses Android's Accessibility service to notice when a chosen app opens. If the switch is off, nothing locks. Open Prayer Latch: if protection is off, the Lock list tab shows One more step to pause your apps for prayer, and Finish setup takes you straight to the right setting. Or turn it on yourself:
- Most phones: Settings → Accessibility → Prayer Latch (on Pixel, under Downloaded apps), then turn on Use Prayer Latch.
- Samsung: Settings → Accessibility → Installed apps → Prayer Latch, turn it on and tap Allow.
Android warns that the app will have "full control" of your phone. It shows that message for every app that uses Accessibility. Prayer Latch only checks which app is open, and never reads your screen, messages or passwords. See why Prayer Latch needs Accessibility.
2. Is your phone's battery saver turning it off?
Some phones stop apps running in the background to save battery, and that can switch off Accessibility services. Let Prayer Latch run without restrictions:
| Phone | Setting |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings → Battery → Background usage limits: add Prayer Latch to Never sleeping apps. Also Settings → Apps → Prayer Latch → Battery → Unrestricted. |
| Google Pixel | Settings → Apps → Prayer Latch → App battery usage → Unrestricted. |
| Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | Settings → Apps → Prayer Latch → Battery → No restrictions, and turn on Autostart (or Background autostart). |
| OnePlus | Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → Prayer Latch → Don't optimize. |
| Oppo, realme | Settings → Apps → App management → Prayer Latch → Battery usage → Allow background activity. |
Then turn the Accessibility switch back on (step 1). On Samsung, OnePlus and Xiaomi, also check these settings after big system updates, because some phones reset them.
3. Are precise lock times allowed?
Prayer Latch schedules your lock times with Android's alarm system. If Alarms & reminders is off, apps may lock late. In Prayer Latch, open the Lock list tab: if you see Allow alarms so your apps lock on time, tap Let my apps lock on time and turn the setting on.
4. Have you already prayed since the last lock time?
After you pray and say Amen, your apps stay open until the next lock time. That's by design. If you prayed this morning, your apps won't lock again until your next lock time, usually tomorrow morning. Check your lock times and days in the Lock list tab, and add more, like an evening lock time, if you want them.
5. Is your free week or Plus active?
Your first 7 days of app locking are free. After that, keeping apps locked needs Prayer Latch Plus. If the Lock list tab says Your apps aren't locked, your free week has ended and your chosen apps are saved until you subscribe. Prayer, the Bible and your journal stay free. See Is Prayer Latch free?
6. Is the app on your locked list?
Open the Lock list tab and check that the app you expected is selected. If you recently reinstalled an app, select it again.
Did I install it from Google Play?
Install Prayer Latch from Google Play. Android 13 and later restrict Accessibility for apps installed from a downloaded file and show a "Restricted setting" message. Apps from Google Play aren't affected, so if you see that message, you likely have a copy from somewhere else.
Does Prayer Latch ask for "Display over other apps"?
Version 1.4.2 and later need only the Accessibility setting. If an older version asks for Display over other apps, allow it, or update the app from Google Play.
Still not working?
Open Prayer Latch and go to Settings → Chat with us. Tell us your phone model and Android version and what happens when you open a locked app, and we'll help. If you need an app right now, emergency unlock is always free.
Pray before you scroll
Prayer Latch locks your chosen apps each morning until you pray. Your first 7 days are free, no card needed.
Updated October 27, 2026 by the Prayer Latch team at Janus Works LLC.