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Help Others Restore Integrity 2 minute read

Can I Circumvent Covenant Eyes?

Last Updated: January 30, 2023

There are ways to circumvent Covenant Eyes accountability software, not the least of which is to go down to the local library and use its computers instead of your own. Those who are bent on getting around a fence inevitably find a way.

From time to time, we hear from concerned customers is that they might have found a way to circumvent our software. (Sometimes customers find what they believe will be a loophole, only to later discover that their ally was notified about their circumvention attempts.) Communications from our members have also helped us to refine how our services work.

But one of the things that makes accountability software different from other software solutions is that it presupposes some level of personal and relational accountability. Covenant Eyes is not a “gotcha” tool, or “shameware.” It is specifically designed for those individuals and families who are making a commitment to use their devices with integrity. By using it they are saying, “Yes, monitor my screens. I want you to receive a regular report of what I’m doing. I don’t want to live in secrecy or deception.”

Biblical accountability occurs in the context of a committed relationship. It’s about bringing someone alongside you who shares your commitment to digital integrity and will help and encourage you on that journey. The motivation to overcome porn must go deeper than “not getting caught at it.”

But if you are concerned you or others will circumvent Covenant Eyes, let me mention several encouragements:

1. If you find a possible method of circumvention, tell us.

Our software is designed in community, with input from literally hundreds of thousands of comments. Speak up and share your thoughts if you’ve found a circumvention method that makes Covenant Eyes less valuable for you. We are all working together to make the Internet safer. Our Member Care team may be able to recommend steps to close the loopholes. Contact support@covenanteyes.com or call us at +1 989.720.8000.

2. Understand that the easiest circumvention method is the most obvious one: find another device.

Good allies should know this and have measures put in place to keep this from being a temptation. Some Covenant Eyes members have access to work computers or phones where they cannot install our app. In this case, make sure you’re having regular accountability conversations about these devices. This leads to the next point.

3. Temptations to circumvent Covenant Eyes (technological or otherwise) should be part of your accountability conversations.

Perhaps you’ve discovered a way to cheat the system. Remember, accountability is primarily about the relationship. The software tools you use, including Covenant Eyes, aren’t going to help if you aren’t committed to an honest relationship. Talk to those who hold you accountable. If you really desire accountability, be proactive and come up with creative solutions together.

Share your thoughts with us! What methods do you and your allies use to close any gaps in your accountability measures? Please share your thoughts below.

  1. Katie

    This may be a really stupid question, but can’t a person just use the private browser which does not store websites or searches?

    • Chris McKenna

      Hi, Katie – CE monitors incognito and private browsing on computers. This is different on Apple devices, since we don’t monitor Safari, which is why re recommend toggling off Safari and only using our app. For Android, we monitor all browsing, even private.

  2. Annonymous

    I found a fun way to make sure kids don’t download alternate browsers on an Apple device, but can still download apps.
    Just disable uninstalling apps, rather than installing. That way, they can go ahead and download a game or something which you approve of. But if they try to download a web-browser or something you don’t approve of, you’ll be able to find it. Just set up a weekly “phone check”. If they comply, they are free to use their phone until the next phone check. Otherwise, they get it taken away. If you find an app you don’t approve of, talk to them. If it’s really bad, then disable installing apps until they mature.

  3. John

    Can I use the Task Manager to shut down Covenant Eyes? If I try this or any other way of disabling it, be it successful or not, will my accountability partner be some how informed of such attempts?

    • Chris McKenna

      Hi, John, you cannot. The only way to remove Covenant Eyes from the computer is to call customer service and request an uninstall code. When that code is generated, your accountability partner receives a notification.

    • Matthew

      I believe this wasn’t answered correctly, as I have the same question but the answer didn’t help. If I use ctrl alt del and using task manager force CovenantEyes.exe to close, will my accountability partner be notified? as I guess this will stop screen monitoring and vpn filtering.

    • Moriah Dufrin

      Hi Matthew,

      Yes. Your ally will be notified if you turn off Covenant Eyes on your devices.

      Moriah

  4. Is there a way that Covenant Eyes is able to monitor a phones hotspot? I’m afraid my son is connecting his iPod to his phones personal hotspot to circumnavigate Covenant Eyes. Thanks, Weston

  5. Jennie Reen

    Husband got around Covenant Eyes by using a browser embedded in Apple News App. This happened after the phone was upgraded. I doubt he really wants to change.

    • Chris McKenna

      Hi, Jeannie – if he is seeking secret browsers, then I also have doubts. Does he have a die-hard accountability partner looking him in the eyes to call out these kinds of behaviors? No matter what Covenant Eyes does, no one can control all of the doorways to the Internet, which is why the specific conversations are so, so critical.

    • K

      I’m trying to test this out. So if I’m using a website that has another linked browser like twitter or google…is this what you are referring to? Because those seem to be caught by CE. Or are you referring to just the one inside the apps?…my husband apps can’t be deleted or added. I am unaware of his apps have browers but I am unsure? So if they do cld he look up porn? Does he even know this is possible?

  6. tj

    dudes im barely tech literate but even i can entirely remove a program from my device if someone put spyware on it or block key logging, not that i need to as i own all my own devices and can browse as i please
    but kids arent going to tell you how they did it

  7. Chris

    Thanks so much for this post. I will shoot an email to Covenant Eyes tomorrow about a loophole that I unfortunately found to circumnavigate the filter. I am also going to let my accountability partner know about my relapse and circumnavigating the filer so that is a regular part of the conversation with my accountability partner.

    • Wish I knew the loophole so I can keep an eye on my husband…

  8. peter

    Funny – a blog note about circumventing, and the picture is a guy on a Mac. There’s no filtering for Mac – how’s that for circumvention?

    • Hi Peter. That’s funny. But that’s not what I’m talking about. Circumvention of accountability is the topic at hand here.

  9. Dave

    If we have a method of circumvention, should we just email the support@covenanteyes.com account or is there a different place we should direct this information?

    • Great question, Dave. Just send a message to that e-mail address, yes. It will get to the right people.

    • Mikey f.a.g.

      Hey man, my name is Mikey and I’m seventeen. I bought myself a laptop and having an overly religious father, obsessed with picking every life choice I’ve ever had in his own hands was enraged that I had freedom to information. With threatening to break my laptop I have over my computer for him to pretty much render useless. He put it into a filter that doesn’t even let me play kid computer games like dirt bike mania. I hope you enjoy ruining relationships with parents and married couples.

    • Chris McKenna

      Hi, Mikey – I’m sorry that CE seems to be a roadblock in your relationship with your family. But, to be honest, it doesn’t sound like Covenant Eyes is the root problem. Like anything in life that distresses or hurts us, it requires us to work through it with conversation, collaboration, some give-and-take, etc. The software isn’t the problem. I bet you just want a more open, loving relationship with your father. One that includes mutual respect, especially for a son who at 17, feels like he deserves, and maybe (I don’t know anything about your past, so this could be true or untrue) has proven he deserves more trust and respect. All Covenant Eyes’ software is doing is acting like a spotlight on the real wound. I hope and pray that you and your family find some healing. Talk to your dad. But, do it in love and respect because he’ll always be your father.

      Peace,
      Chris

    • Zac

      I just did it for a whole been going undercover so there are loop holes in this

    • jack

      I believe my friend is unistalling covenant eyes then reinstalling it. If he is, would I get a notification? or has my friend been awesome in resisting temptation?

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