Parents can use Apple screen time to manage children’s online activities, such as limit their access to certain apps, schedule downtime, block adult websites, etc. However, many users reported that Screen Time not working, or that child can easily ignore the Screen Time limit, making it fails to limit their screen time.
Therefore, if you are looking for ways to to fix this problem, read this article. Here, you will also know the best way to limit child’s screen time on Apple devices.
Cisdem AppCrypt
Now let’s check out all the possible fixes for Screen Time limit not working issue.
If screen time app limits not working, the first way you can try is to update your iOS or macOS. I recommend you to update to the latest version. Some errors or bugs in Apple devices may result in Screen Time limits not working. In every update that Apple releases, it may fix some known bugs or errors reported by users. This simple method works for many users
To check what iOS version you are using, Open Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General > Software Update. To update it, click Update Now or Update Tonight at the bottom.
To check and update your macOS version, click the Apple icon on your Mac. Tap System Settings > General > Software Update. Click the Update Now button.
This step is optional but highly recommended in your Screen Time limit settings - Lock Screen Time Settings. Many users ignore this then found that Screen Time limit not working. Without a password, child can easily bypass Screen Time app limits by accessing Screen Time and removing your restrictions. To prevent this, the best way is to lock your settings. Screen Time offers this feature and you can find it by going to Screen Time > Lock Screen Time Settings.
Make sure to set a password that your child can't easily guess, and avoid using the same one as your phone's lock screen password.
Some users reported that Screen Time app limits not working on child’s phone. Specifically, parents have set a screen time limit for certain apps or games that are addictive, but child is still able to use the phone and access them. This is most likely because the child has used the Ask for More Time feature in Screen Time, which allows them to ignore the app limits by continually requesting more time.
You can avoid this by turning on the Block at End of Limit feature:
1. Open Screen Time. Click App & Website Activity. Turn on it.
2. Click App Limits. Add Limit. Select an app or a category of app. Click Next.
3. Set a time limit, such as 1 hour.
4. Toggle on Block at End of Limit. (This button will only appear if you have set a Screen Time passcode.)
5. Click the Add button.
By doing this, the apps will be completely blocked once the time limit is reached.
It's not easy to limit screen time for child. If you set a general time limits for all applications, it may affect child’s normal use. I think this is unnecessary. Or limit access to a certain category of apps, such as games. But child can still spend a lot of time on other apps, such as Instagram, YouTube, and more. To make Screen Time app limit work effectively, you can set a special time limit for each unwanted applications. For example, limit access to Instagram to 1 hour, preventing child from becoming addicted to social media. Limit access to Roblox to half an hour, ensuring that child don’t spend much time on the game.
The Screen Time app limit works on specific applications on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. However, many apps, especially some social media apps also have web versions. If your child knows how to access the web version of the app, Screen Time app limit will not work for him/her. Fortunately, Apple Screen Time also provide a feature to fix this problem. You can turn on the Content & Privacy Restrictions feature. Click App Store, Media, Web & Games. Then select Limit Adult Websites in the WEB CONTENT section. Add the domain name of the website in to the NEVER ALLOW list.
If screen time limit still not working after you trying above fixes, set up Family Sharing to manage your child’s screen time from your own device. Although setting up screen time limit directly from children’s phone is more conveniently, they can always find new ways to bypass the restrictions. Set up Family Sharing and add your child to your family group. Then you can remotely manage your child's screen time on your own device, and it'll be more difficult for them to changing your settings.
Open Screen Time on your phone or Mac. Click Set Up Screen Time for Family. Click Continue. Click Add Member. If your child do not have an Apple account, create one for him and make sure he can only log in his own account. Then enter your child’s information.
Once your child has joined your family group, you can set Screen Time limits for him.
These are 6 easy ways to fix the problem of Screen Time app limits not working. However, even if you successfully set Screen Time limit on children’s phones or computers, they may find new ways to get around your limits. There are many forums on the Internet about teaching children to get around Apple Screen Time limits.
Cisdem AppCrypt is an easy-to-use screen time limit app for parents. With it, you can limit your child’s screen time in many ways and can not be bypassed. Such as blocking time-wasting websites and apps on their devices during certain times. Or blocking harmful apps and websites permanently. It also lets you Deny App Installation, Deny App Removal, and Deny In-app Purchase on child’s iPhone.
Here are how to use this Apple Screen Time limit app:
1. Download and install it from the App Store.
2. Open it. Go to the App Lock tab. Click the Add/Remove button.
Search for certain apps that you want to set screen time limit from the application list. Click Done.
3. Go to the Web Block tab. Enter the domain name of the website that you want to set time limit in the URL box. Click Apply.
5. Click Schedule. Set a desired screen time limit for the blocked apps and websites. Click Save.
6. Now the screen time limit are successfully set on your child’s iPhone. To prevent him/her from bypassing the blocking, you can go to Preferences. Click Notification. Turn on Notifications and set a PIN in the prompt window. By doing this, AppCrypt will lock itself with the PIN.
1. Download and install this screen time limit app on your child’s Mac computer.
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
2. Launch it. Set a password in the prompt window.
3. Click the lock icon in the menu bar. Select Open Main Window.
4. Enter the password to access the main window.
5. Click App Lock. Click the plus icon. Add unwanted apps to the lock list.
You can set screen time limits for specific apps by clicking on it. Click the clock icon in the upper-left corner. Then enable custom schedule. Set the time limit as your need.
6. Click Web Block. Add certain websites to block. Or, click the Import button to add a category of sites to the block list.
Now your child’s screen time are successfully limited.
In fact, children can use many simple tricks to bypass Apple Screen Time limits. For example, change the time zone, reset the iPhone, reinstall apps, etc. Compared to some third-party screen time limit software, Apple Screen Time is easier to bypass. While many people like to use it, this also means that many are actively exploring ways to bypass it.
To check if your child has bypassed your screen time limits, you can view his/her Screen Time report. It is in Settings > Screen Time > See All App & Website Activity. Here you can see your child’s online activities including the amount of time he/she spent on specific applications. If the time exceeds the app time limit you set, perhaps your child has found the way to bypass Screen Time limits.
Yes, you can sync Screen Time limits across multiple devices. Just make sure all the devices are signed in with the same Apple ID. And go to Settings > Screen Time. Scroll down and turn on Share Across Devices.
Norah Hayes likes to share her tips on how to improve focus and stay motivated at work. She believes it is essential to eliminate all online distractions during work hours.
