Screen Time lets you know how much time you and your kids spend on apps, websites and more. This way, you can make more informed decisions about how you use your devices, and set limits if you'd like to. Find out how to use parental controls to manage a child's device.
Turn on Screen Time
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap Turn On Screen Time, then tap it again.
- Select This is My [device] or This is My Child's [device].
When you turn on Screen Time, you'll see a report showing how you've used your device, apps and websites. If it's your child's device, you can set up Screen Time and create settings on their device, or you can use Family Sharing to configure your child's device from your device. After you've set up your child's device, you can also use Family Sharing to see reports and adjust settings from your device.
With Screen Time, you can also create a dedicated passcode to secure settings, so only you can extend time or make changes. Make sure you choose a passcode that's different from the passcode you use to unlock your device. To change or turn off the passcode on your child's device, go to Settings > Screen Time and tap your child's name. Then tap Change Screen Time Passcode or Turn Off Screen Time Passcode and authenticate the change with Face ID, Touch ID or your device passcode.
If you've forgotten your Screen Time passcode, update your device to the latest iOS or iPadOS, then reset your passcode.
Set a Screen Time passcode
You can set a passcode so only you can change Screen Time settings and allow more time when app limits have expired. Use this feature to set content and privacy limitations for your child's device. The steps to set up a Screen Time passcode depend on whether you're using Family Sharing.
If you're using Family Sharing to manage a child account
- Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
- Scroll down and choose your child's name under Family.
- Tap Turn on Screen Time, then tap Continue.
- Set up Downtime, App Limits and Content & Privacy with the limits you want for your child, or tap Not Now.
- Tap Use Screen Time Passcode, then enter a passcode when prompted. Re-enter the passcode to confirm.
- Enter your Apple ID and password. This can be used to reset your Screen Time passcode if you forget it.
If you're not using Family Sharing to manage a child account
- Make sure you're on the device used by the child.
- Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
- Tap Turn on Screen Time.
- Tap This is My Child's [device].
- Set up Downtime, App Limits and Content & Privacy with the limits you want for your child, or tap Not Now.
- Tap Use Screen Time Passcode, then enter a passcode when prompted. Re-enter the passcode to confirm.
- Enter your Apple ID and password. This can be used to reset your Screen Time passcode if you forget it.
See your report and set limits
Screen Time will give you a report showing how your device is being used, apps you've opened and websites you've visited. To see the report, go to Settings > Screen Time and tap See All Activity under the graph. From there, you can see your usage, set limits for your most used apps, and see how many times a device was picked up or received a notification.
If you've turned on Share Across Devices, you can view overall usage across devices that are signed in with your Apple ID and password.
Manage Screen Time settings
Go to Settings > Screen Time. Then tap See All Activity, select a category in the list below and set limits. You can manage these settings with Screen Time:
Downtime
When you schedule downtime in Settings, only phone calls and apps that you choose to allow are available. Downtime applies to all of your Screen Time-enabled devices, and you'll receive a reminder five minutes before it starts. If you've set a Screen Time passcode, Downtime will include an additional setting: Block At Downtime. When you choose this setting and click Ask For More Time when Downtime starts, entering the passcode will allow you to approve the app for 15 minutes, an hour or all day. Child accounts can click One More Minute once, or click Ask For More Time to send their request to the parent account for approval.
App Limits
You can set daily limits for app categories with App Limits. For example, you might want to see productivity apps while you're at work, but not social networking or games. App Limits are refreshed every day at midnight, and you can delete them at any time.
Communication Limits
Control who your children can communicate with throughout the day and during downtime. These limits apply to Phone, FaceTime, Messages and iCloud contacts. This is also where you can decide and manage which contacts are available on an Apple Watch paired through Family Setup. Communication to known emergency numbers identified by your iPhone or Apple Watch mobile network provider is always allowed. You need to have your iCloud contacts enabled to use this feature.
Always Allowed
You may want to access certain apps, even if it's during Downtime or if you've set the All Apps & Categories app limit. Phone, Messages, FaceTime and Maps are always allowed by default, but you can remove them if you want.
Content & Privacy Restrictions
You decide the type of content that appears on your device. Block inappropriate content, purchases and downloads, and set your privacy settings with Content & Privacy Restrictions.