Install On Guard on Android

"On Guard uses the Accessibility service to detect explicit content on screen and step in. Detection runs here, on your phone. No screenshots are uploaded. Reliable protection also requires unrestricted background battery use."

1. 1

   Tap "Enable defense" and read the "Turn on defense" sheet.

   It lists exactly what On Guard reads (screenshots taken automatically, the browser address bar, the name of the app in use), what it does, and how the data is used — on this phone, in memory, never uploaded.

2. 2

   Tap "Agree and continue".

   Android then asks two quick questions while you are still in the app: allow notifications (Android 13+), and let On Guard use battery without restrictions. Say yes to both.

3. 3

   In Settings → Accessibility → On Guard, switch it on and confirm.

   The app deep-links you there and waits: "Finish in Settings: turn on On Guard under Accessibility and allow unrestricted background battery use. Come back when both are on; checking automatically…"

4. 4

   Return to On Guard — the row completes and "Connect to Guard Engine" runs on its own.

   A small "Your defense is running." notification appears and stays; that is the Guard Engine keeping watch.

If you skip this: There is no defense without the Accessibility switch — setup cannot finish. Skipping the battery exemption is possible ("Continue with reduced reliability"), but Android may then stop the guard to save power.

1. 1

   Tap "Sign In".

   A sheet slides up: "Your account links your devices and your allies. Never your activity."

2. 2

   Choose "Continue with Google", or use email: enter an address and password and tap "Create account" (or "Sign in").

   The email path has "Forgot password?" and "New here? Create an account". One account covers every device.

3. 3

   "All Set!" — "You are on guard and ready to go."

"Open Settings → Accessibility → On Guard and switch it on. That's the switch that lets On Guard see and step in."

1. 1

   Settings → Accessibility → On Guard → On.

2. 2

   Know that turning it off is visible: your allies learn when the guard drops.

   "You can turn this off any time in Settings, under Accessibility. Your allies will know if you do."

If you skip this: Both the screen check and the address-bar check stop. This one switch is the whole defense.

"Keeps your defense alive when the screen is off."

1. 1

   Settings → Apps → On Guard → Battery → Unrestricted.

   Wording varies by phone maker; look for "Unrestricted" or "Don't optimize".

If you skip this: Android may pause the guard to save power. The Permissions row stays amber until the exemption is on.

"Lets On Guard warn you and nudge you off risky content."

1. 1

   Settings → Apps → On Guard → Notifications → Allow.

If you skip this: Defense keeps running; you just will not see the nudges and warnings.