To enhance the security of your Opal Sessions and prevent the disabling of Opal's access to Screen Time during a Session, we've prepared a step-by-step guide for you. This guide will walk you through the process of using the built-in iOS app, Shortcuts, to restrict access to your iPhone and iPad's Settings App during an Opal Session (for more detailed information on iOS Shortcuts, please head here). This feature is particularly useful to prevent access to Screen Time permissions. Please note that once this setup is complete, you won't be able to open your iPhone or iPad's Settings while an Opal Session is active, unless you initiate a break. To do so, follow these steps:

• Find the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad and open it. If you do not have it on your phone, you may download it here
• Tap on "Automation" in the bottom menu bar
• Tap on the "+" icon in the top right corner of the screen if you have existing Automations; select "New Automation" in the centre of the screen if not
• Scroll down and select "App"
• On the new screen, tap on "Choose"
• Input "Settings" in the "Search Apps" bar
• Select the app and tap "Done"
• Select "Is Opened" and select "Run Immediately"; disable "Notify When Run"
• Tap "Next" in the top right
• Tap on "New Blank Automation"
• Type "Opal" in the "Search Actions" bar
• Select "Is Opal protection On?"
• Toggle off "Show When Run"
• Input "If" in the "Search Actions" bar and tap on it
• Once you have done this, you should see "If Is Opal protection On?"
• In the "Search Actions" bar, input "Open App" and select it
• Once that action appears on the screen, tap the word "App" beside "Open"
• Input "Opal" in the Search and select it‍
• Drag and drop the "Open Opal" action so it is below the "If" condition. You can do this by tapping and holding your finger on the "Open Opal" Action, then dragging your finger to the correct location
• Once you've set up the "If" condition and the "Open App" action, review your automation to make sure everything is correct. When it is, tap on "Done"
• Now that your automation is set up, test it to ensure it works as expected. You can do this by starting a Session in the Opal app, and then trying to open the iOS Settings App. You should see the Opal app opening instead
• Final bonus steps: Add Shortcuts to your Opal Sessions. Add the Shortcuts App to all of your app groups. This will prevent you from disabling the Automation you set up

But I've figured out how to disable this foolproof system! Now what????

If you've sorted out how to disable our existing foolproof system, we have an advanced level system you may implement using the “Shortcuts" app to prevent yourself from accessing “Settings” during a Session. To implement this “Settings Workaround” Shortcut, follow these steps:

• Open the "Shortcuts" app
• Tap "Shortcuts" or “Library” if using the iOS 26 interface
• Tap the "＋" button in the top-right
• Tap "Search Actions"
• In the field, type "Lock Screen," then tap to add
• Tap "Search Actions" again, type "Go to Home Screen", then tap to add
• Tap "Search Actions" once more, type "Opal," then tap "Start Session"
• Tap "App List" and choose the block list you want to activate
• Tap the toggle beside the shortcut name and rename it to "Settings Workaround"
• Tap “Done" or the "<“ toggle if using the iOS 26 interface

Once the Shortcut is made, you must also create the “Automation” within the same “Shortcuts” app to trigger the Shortcut. To do so, follow these steps:

• Tap the "Automation" tab
• Tap “+” or "New Automation"
• Scroll down and tap "App"
• Tap "Choose"
• Type "Settings" in the "Search Apps” bar, tap "Settings," then tap “Done” or "✔"
• Tap on "Is Opened"
• Tap "Next"
• Tap on the “Settings Workaround” shortcut you just made
• Tap on the Automation you just made
• Tap on "Run Immediately"
• Ensure “Notify When Run” is toggled off
• Tap "Done"

When finished, this advanced level Automation and Shortcut combination will automatically lock your screen, return you to the Home Screen, and start an Opal block Session whenever you try to open your phone’s "Settings".

Please note that if you've locked Opal's screen time access, you can always take a break from your Session via Opal, unless you've selected "No way, I'm hardcore" Session difficulty. If you're in a "No way, I'm hardcore" Session and urgently need to leave, please follow the instructions here.

That's it! You have now installed this fool-proof system. On that note, there are more community suggestions, including alternative Shortcuts, on the Opal community forum thread here.