A strong focus boundary only works if it never endangers you. That is the principle behind AuraLock. The boundary is strong for the moments that matter, and safe for every moment after.
Essential functions always stay available
Inside both Standard and Strict Auras, certain things remain available:
- Phone — calls stay reachable
- Emergency calls — always accessible
- System settings — reachable when you need them
- Alarm clock — your alarms still ring
These are not “allowed apps” you chose. They are protected at the source, because some things matter more than focus. AuraLock guards your attention, not your safety.
What “protected at the source” means
Your chosen apps stay alive through the whitelist. But the essentials are guarded by a separate mechanism that never depends on a list you maintain. You could be inside a Strict Aura with a minimal whitelist and still receive calls, reach emergency services, and use system dialogs such as the alarm. The boundary never comes between you and what matters most.
Emergency exit is deliberate, not hidden
For a genuine emergency inside a Strict Aura, an emergency exit exists. It is designed to be deliberate: a held, conscious action rather than a casual tap. This balance matters:
- It is available when you truly need it, always
- It is not convenient enough to reach for out of habit
You are never trapped. You are only asked to be deliberate about leaving.
Restore after a restart
If your phone restarts mid-session, AuraLock remembers. When the device comes back, it offers to Restore your Aura, showing exactly how much time remains and which apps stay alive. Your boundary survives an unexpected reboot.
Self-heal when the boundary drops
AuraLock also watches its own boundary service. If it disconnects mid-session, for example if the system kills a background service, AuraLock notices and offers a reconnect, so your focus is restored as quickly as possible.
Permission health keeps the promise honest
AuraLock’s strength depends on its permissions. If Android turns one off, for example after an update, AuraLock tells you plainly: “Your Aura cannot fully protect this moment.” The Permission health screen shows the status of every permission and guides you to restore it.
The result
Strict Aura works because you trust it to hold strong when you need it and to be safe when you do not. That is why AuraLock is built this way: strong boundaries, protected essentials, and an honest view of its own health.