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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. Although I lose The Battle I Will Continue to Fight The War

    Let me begin by saying that I am very grateful for CE. It has proven to be the inhibiting factor for me that over the years I’ve been using it has lessened the power of the addiction I suffer from. However, I’ve found an issue if i have used my android phone to the point where the battery goes flat and it shuts down. Sometimes upon restarting the phone I find that I have been logged out of covenant eyes and it is no longer monitoring. From here I’ve been able to delete the app, and then fall victim to the temptation that ensues. After re-installing the app nothing showed up or was flagged in the reports – not even that it had been uninstalled. I hate that this happens – I really wish to shut down this glitch so that it never happens.

    • Keith Rose

      Thanks for reaching out! I’m sorry for the difficulty. The Android platform can be tricky, since every device manufacturer makes unique customizations that can affect Covenant Eyes in different ways. If you haven’t already, please reach out to our Member Care team at support@covenanteyes.com and they can gather diagnostic information regarding this issue.

      Blessings,

      Keith

  2. linda

    I have spoken to two very knowledgeable representatives for CE, and both are stumped to what is happening with CE reporting. I do hope someone here has some ideas. Here is the scenario.
    My husband is a pilot, gone 8-10 days at a time. Everytime he leaves for work his “named” iphone becomes an unrecognized iPhone X. The message that appears with this is “CE detects activity on this device but is unable to take screenshots outside the covenant eyes browser” This message occurs 8 days in a row until he returns home. Usually at the bottom of the report next to “monitored devices” a message will say ” has not been seen > 4 days, 1week etc”
    Any ideas?

    • Moriah Bowman

      Hi Linda,

      As I was looking into this, I discovered that our records show that you were able to get some clarity on this. If that’s a case of mistaken identities, or if you have additional questions, feel free to contact the Member Care team.

      Blessings,
      Moriah

  3. Lex

    Recently I’m finding that the individual I am the accountability partner for is timing their viewing to view for less than a minute. They watch the time very carefully, make sure content is viewed for less than a minute (usually 30 seconds). It usually gets found out that they have been doing this for several days, so they have been struggling for multiple days without any help or support. Cannot support the person when I don’t know about the behavior.

    They also have been able to get to inappropriate content on YouTube when safesearch is turned on in their Covenant Eyes app.

    • Moriah Bowman

      Hi Lex,

      I am sorry for any issues you might be having with our software! In regards to the circumvention and safesearch, I would highly recommend you call our Customer Service Team. They are truly the experts and should be able to answer any questions you have.

      Toll-free in the US: 877.479.1119
      Outside the U.S.: 989.720.8000

      Blessings!
      Moriah

  4. Mark

    Hi, I’m an accountability partner for a younger man in the faith. He recently came to me and told me that he found a work around in the system. I checked and didn’t see anything in the report. I want to ask him the hard questions, but at the same time I know that he just feels broken. He’s really been confiding in me, but as long as he knows how to get around it, how can I really help him?

    Thanks,
    Mark

    • Moriah Dufrin

      Hi Mark!

      Do you know specifically how he found a work around the system? I would be interested to hear how he did that and then offer suggestions to you to guide him through this.

      In the meantime, ask the tough questions! BUT, do so with grace. If you grill him with questions and guilt him, he is going to feel ashamed and worse than before. Remember, only God can change his heart, and until He does that, just keep walking alongside him with the best accountability you can.

      Blessings,
      Moriah

  5. Bill K

    Hi,
    I am concerned about circumventing covenant eyes through a second screen. If covenant eyes is downloaded onto a device that has its own screen but is them simultaneously used on a monitor, will the program pick up screenshots of activity of both screens are just the original.

    Thanks,
    Bill

    • Moriah Dufrin

      Hi Bill,

      Great question! If you have external monitors attached to your “original” device that uses Covenant Eyes, all activity on the monitors will still be monitored by our software.

      Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.
      Blessings,
      Moriah

  6. Cameryn Miller

    We have convenant eyes installed on our family laptop. Our laptop uses our router to connect to the internet. What if one of my son’s friends has a phone with a mobile hot spot, that does not have convenant eyes installed, uses that phone to create an internet connection on the family lap top, does convenant eyes still work? I am worried my son will use a friends phone to connect to the internet on the laptop and be able to access adult content.

    • Moriah Dufrin

      Hi Cameryn!

      Great question that I’d be happy to answer for you. Covenant Eyes software is installed on each device individually, regardless of the Internet connection. So, if your son were to use a friends phone to connect to the Internet, Covenant Eyes would still work on his device and would be monitoring his Internet activity. Our new Screen Accountability even monitors the device when it is offline, so if you haven’t switched over to this update, I would encourage you to do so!

      If you have any further questions, our customer service team is incredible and would love to take your call! 877.479.1119
      Blessings,
      Moriah

  7. Hi can conveanent eyes see what APPS your going on on a Android?

  8. Jodi

    My husband has a android phone. Does CE monitor incognito browsing on android? If so how do i know he is trying to use it, will the report say?
    One more thing. Is their a way to completely block YouTube even through the web. Its blocked to youth but the loop hole is the web.

    • Chris McKenna

      Hi, Jodi – yes, it does. It monitors at the top domain level, (like espn.com) no matter how or where the web is accessed. This includes incognito browsing.

      Chris

  9. James

    Like Weston, I’m worried that the personal hotspot on my sons phone could be used to access the internet on a device that doesn’t have covenant eyes installed. Would the covenant eyes on the phone report things accessed on another device via the (photo es) personal hotspot?

    • Chris McKenna

      Hi, James – if you’re referring to the Hotspot on your son’s phone, whereby he would be providing access through his device to someone else, then, I don’t think that’s what you’re worried about. It sounds like you’re concerned about your son gaining access to a hotspot that someone else’s device is providing, in which case, your son’s phone (if it has CE) would govern and monitor how his phone access the Internet, even through the hotspot. Have I answered your question? If not, please let me know.

      Regards,
      Chris

    • Trevor

      I sometimes enable a hot spot for my workers when we are working off my truck in the middle nowhere. But I realized the other day would there browsing be reflected on my report? Nothing has showed up so far but I don’t know what they use their phones for.

    • Chris McKenna

      Hi, Trevor, I believe their activity would show up on your report on an iOS device but I’m not sure for Android. I’m going to have you call CE Customer Support at 877-479-1119.

      Thanks!
      Chris

  10. Jen

    I found that i can shut off ce accessability and view hm material although the ce box telling me my access is off i was able to view porn. I then was curious if itd show on my report and nothing showed up.

    • Chris McKenna

      Hi, Jen – ultimately, nothing can stop someone from finding pornography. There’s always a way. Turning off accessibility is a way to do that, but if that’s a problem, then you might consider getting rid of the smartphone or moving to an iOS device with our new app that provides much greater accountability.

      Chris

    • Jack

      If I shut off CE and I watch porn, will me turning off CE show up on my report?
      Thanks, Jack

    • Moriah Dufrin

      Hi Jack!

      Yes, your Ally will be notified as soon as you shut down CE.

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