Set up Screen Time for yourself on Mac
On your Mac, turn on Screen Time to learn how you spend time on your Mac and other devices. When Screen Time is turned on, you can view reports that show app usage, the number of notifications you receive, and how often you use your devices. You can also use Time Allowances to balance time across entertainment, games, and social media apps, schedules to manage when those apps are available, and content restrictions to manage what can be accessed.
Note: To use all the latest Screen Time features, you need iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, or visionOS 27 or later on all your Apple devices. If you’re setting up these features within a Family Sharing group, all devices in your family must be upgraded to iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, or visionOS 27 or later. Learn how to update your Apple devices.
If you want to set up Screen Time or parental control features for your child, see Apple Devices for Kids and Families. | |||||||||||
Go to the System Settings app
on your Mac.
Click Screen Time
in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Do any of the following to turn on Screen Time:
Click Screen Time Schedule, then click Turn On App & Website Activity.
Click Time Allowances, then click Turn On App & Website Activity.
Click Manage Screen Time, then click Turn On App & Website Activity.
Scroll down, then turn on any of the following options:
Share across devices: Turn on this option to include time spent on other devices signed in to the same Apple Account.
Lock Screen Time Settings: Require a passcode to change Screen Time settings and to allow more time when limits expire.
You can also do any of the following in Screen Time settings:
Block or allow communication with others: See Block calls and messages with Screen Time.
Always allow communication with certain contacts: See Choose apps and contacts that can be used anytime in Screen Time.
Set a schedule for your device use: See Set up a Screen Time schedule for device use.
Set time allowances for app use: See Set how long you can use apps with Time Allowances.
Block content and features: See Block features or content with Screen Time.
You can also block apps and websites and turn on Communication Safety to detect nudity and gore in shared images and videos on your devices or your child’s. See Check for sensitive images and videos on your child’s device and Block or allow access to apps and websites on your child’s device in Apple Devices for Kids and Families.