How to Block Porn on Android with Accountability

Before you start

Install Watchman free from Google Play and sign in with your B.O.L.D. account. New? Start at /join.
Turn on Watchman+ (7-day free trial, or a church code at /redeem).
Open the Filter tab.

Step 1: Turn on the filter

Tap Turn on. Android shows a connection request for Watchman's filter — tap OK. Then set a passcode; turning the filter off later takes it. Consider letting your wife or a brother set it.

The filter blocks explicit sites across your browsers and apps and enforces SafeSearch.

Step 2: Make it Always-on

Once the filter is on, tap Open VPN settings, tap the gear next to Watchman, and turn on Always-on VPN. Leave "Block connections without VPN" off. This keeps the filter running after restarts.

Step 3 (recommended): Screen monitoring

Tap Turn on under Screen monitoring, read the disclosure, tap Agree, then enable Watchman in Settings → Accessibility. This lets Watchman check what's on screen in other apps for explicit content, and powers app blocking. Banking, password manager and keyboard apps are never checked.

Step 4 (recommended): Uninstall protection

Tap Turn on under Uninstall protection and approve Android's device admin prompt, so removing Watchman takes a deliberate step.

What your pack is told

When something is blocked, your pack gets a discreet notification that you may need support, and sees when and a general category in the app — never the site or the content. If you turn off the filter, Accessibility or uninstall protection, they're told. See what your accountability partner sees.

Honest limits

Android allows only one VPN at a time; if another VPN app takes over, Watchman's filter stops and your pack is told. Phone calls, Wi-Fi calling, Android Auto, and banking and password apps are deliberately left outside the filter. No filter is perfect — Watchman+ works best with a pack that checks in daily. Read more about Watchman+.

Common questions

How do I block porn on Android?

Install Watchman, turn on Watchman+, tap Turn on in the Filter tab and accept Android's connection request, set a passcode, then set Watchman as Always-on VPN. Screen monitoring and uninstall protection add more protection.

Should I turn on Block connections without VPN?

No. Turn on Always-on VPN for Watchman, but leave Block connections without VPN off.

Why does Watchman need Accessibility on Android?

Screen monitoring uses Android's Accessibility permission to check what's on screen in other apps for explicit content, and to block apps you choose. Banking, password manager and keyboard apps are never checked.

What if I install another VPN app?

Android allows only one VPN at a time. If another VPN takes over, Watchman's filter stops and your pack is told.

Can my accountability pack see what I was looking at on Android?

No. When something is blocked, your pack gets a discreet notification that you may need support and sees when and a general category in the app, never the site or the content.