Usage Access: Why AuraLock Needs It
Why AuraLock needs Usage Access permission and how to enable it on every device — Xiaomi, Samsung, Oppo, vivo, Huawei, Tecno, and stock Android.
What is Usage Access?
Usage Access lets apps see which other apps are running and how often they are used. AuraLock uses this to detect when you launch a restricted app.
Why does AuraLock need it?
Without Usage Access, AuraLock cannot tell which app is in the foreground, detect when you open a restricted app, or enforce your boundaries in real time. Accessibility alone can hold the boundary — Usage Access is the second pair of eyes.
How to enable it on your phone
Usage Access lives under a different menu on every skin — Special app access on stock Android, Special permissions on MIUI, and a ⋮ menu inside the Apps screen on One UI. Pick your phone below.
Usage Access
RequiredA second pair of eyes that catches anything slipping past Accessibility, and the source of AuraLock’s screen-time analytics. Read on-device only — never uploaded.
In AuraLock: open Settings → Permissions and tap this permission — the button reads “Open Settings”. It opens this exact screen on your phone.
Xiaomi · MIUI / HyperOS
HyperOS: Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Usage access. Some MIUI builds also list it under Apps → Manage apps → AuraLock → Other permissions.
- 1 Open Settings → Privacy protection → Special permissions
- 2 Tap “Usage access”
- 3 Tap AuraLock
- 4 Choose “Allow”
Samsung · One UI
- 1 Open Settings → Apps
- 2 Tap the ⋮ menu (top-right) → “Special access”
- 3 Tap “Usage data access”
- 4 Tap AuraLock and turn it on
OPPO · realme · OnePlus · ColorOS
- 1 Open Settings → Apps → “Special app access”
- 2 Tap “Usage access”
- 3 Tap AuraLock
- 4 Choose “Allow”
vivo · iQOO · Funtouch / OriginOS
- 1 Open Settings → More settings → Applications
- 2 Tap “Special app access” → “Usage access”
- 3 Tap AuraLock
- 4 Choose “Allow”
Huawei · Honor · EMUI / MagicOS
Huawei removed Usage access on some EMUI builds. If it is not in this list it does not exist on your phone — AuraLock keeps working on Accessibility alone.
- 1 Open Settings → Privacy → “Special access”
- 2 Tap “Usage access” (some EMUI builds keep it under Apps → Special access)
- 3 Tap AuraLock
- 4 Choose “Allow”
Tecno · Infinix · itel · HiOS / XOS
- 1 Open Settings → Apps → “Special access”
- 2 Tap “Usage access”
- 3 Tap AuraLock
- 4 Choose “Allow”
Android · Pixel · Motorola · Sony · Nokia
- 1 Open the Settings app and tap Apps (or “Apps & notifications”)
- 2 Tap “Special app access”
- 3 Tap “Usage access”
- 4 Tap AuraLock in the list
- 5 Turn on “Allow usage tracking”
AuraLock only reads this data on your device. Nothing is collected or transmitted.
Privacy
What happens if disabled?
AuraLock cannot detect app launches through this route, so the boundary relies on Accessibility alone and Analytics shows limited screen-time data. Your Auras still run.
How to verify
After enabling, run Guardian. It confirms that Usage Access is set up correctly.