DevicesSafe
iPhone & iPad Screen Time: Complete Setup Guide
Master iOS Screen Time with comprehensive controls for app limits, downtime, content restrictions, and communication limits.
Ages 0-18
12 min read
Updated Jul 20, 2026
Master iOS Screen Time with comprehensive controls for app limits, downtime, content restrictions, and communication limits.
Apple's Screen Time is one of the most powerful built-in parental control tools available. It lets you monitor device usage, set limits, restrict content, and control communications—all without third-party apps.
When you set up Screen Time through Family Sharing, settings sync across your child's iPhone and iPad.
There are two ways to use Screen Time:
If you haven't already, create a Family Sharing group:
Add your child's Apple Account (formerly Apple ID) to the family, or create a Child Account if they don't have one.
On your iPhone or iPad:
Select your child from the family list.
Tap "Turn On Screen Time" and then "Continue."
Select "This is My Child's [Device]" when prompted.
Create a 4-digit passcode that your child won't guess. This prevents them from changing settings.
Don't use easily guessable codes like 1234 or your child's birth year. Write it down somewhere safe.
If not using Family Sharing, set up directly on the device:
Select "This is My Child's iPhone" and create a passcode.
App Limits let you set daily time allowances for categories of apps or specific apps.
You can limit:
Start with category limits. If your child uses one app excessively within that category, add a specific limit for just that app.
Choose hours and minutes per day. Start conservative—you can always increase later.
Recommended starting points:
Tap "Customize Days" if you want different limits for weekends vs. weekdays.
When time runs out, the app icon dims and shows an hourglass. Your child can request more time, which sends you a notification to approve or deny.
Downtime schedules periods when only allowed apps are available. Perfect for bedtime and homework hours.
Toggle on "Scheduled" and set start and end times.
Typical schedule:
Tap "Customize Days" for different schedules on different days.
Enable "Block at Downtime" to prevent bypassing with the Screen Time passcode. Without this, children can extend time with the passcode.
Choose apps that work even during Downtime or after App Limits are reached.
Recommended always-allowed apps:
Be selective! If you add Instagram to Always Allowed, App Limits for Social won't apply to it.
This is where you control what your child can access, install, and change.
Turn this ON, then configure each section:
On older iOS versions this section is called "iTunes & App Store Purchases" — the settings inside are the same.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Installing Apps | Ask (requires your password) |
| Deleting Apps | Don't Allow (prevents hiding app usage) |
| In-app Purchases | Don't Allow |
If you allow in-app purchases, also go to Settings → Your Name → Media & Purchases → Password Settings and require password for every purchase.
Toggle off apps you don't want available at all:
Key settings:
Music, Podcasts, News, Fitness
Movies, TV Shows, Books
Apps
Web Content
Safari's built-in filtering catches major adult sites but isn't perfect. For stronger filtering, consider a dedicated app like Bark or using a filtered DNS.
Siri
Control what apps can access:
Lock down settings to prevent circumvention:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Passcode Changes | Don't Allow |
| Account Changes | Don't Allow |
| Cellular Data Changes | Don't Allow |
| Background App Refresh | Allow (or Don't Allow for stricter control) |
Control who your child can communicate with during Screen Time and Downtime.
For younger children, "Contacts Only" is recommended. You control who's in their contacts.
Often more restrictive:
Enable this to require your approval before contacts are added:
Children with Child Accounts must now send a request for your approval before communicating with a new phone number in Phone, Messages, or FaceTime.
Detects nudity in Messages, FaceTime video calls, and Photos Shared Albums:
On iOS 26, Communication Safety is enabled by default for all child accounts under 18. On older versions (iOS 17–18), you may need to turn it on manually. If you don't see this option, update your child's device to the latest iOS version.
When enabled:
This feature uses on-device machine learning—photos are not sent to Apple or anyone else.
The main Screen Time page shows:
Tap "See All Activity" for detailed breakdowns.
Screen Time sends weekly summary notifications showing:
To change passcode:
If you set up via Family Sharing, reset from your device:
If set up on device only, you may need to reset the device. Prevent this by using Family Sharing.
Some Apple apps (Settings, Phone) can't be limited. Also, newly installed apps may take a few minutes to appear in categories.
With Screen Time properly configured, you have comprehensive control over your child's iOS device. Remember to check in regularly and adjust settings as your child grows.