iPhone & iPad Screen Time Setup Guide

Beginner 15-20 minutes

Complete guide to setting up Apple Screen Time and Content & Privacy Restrictions to protect children on iOS and iPadOS devices.

Prerequisites:

  • • iPhone or iPad running iOS 12 or later
  • • Access to the child's device
  • • Apple ID (optional but recommended for Family Sharing)

What is Screen Time?

Screen Time is Apple's built-in parental control and digital wellbeing system for iPhone and iPad. It provides comprehensive controls over content, apps, screen time limits, and privacy settings. Best of all, it's completely free and deeply integrated into iOS and iPadOS.

You can set up Screen Time directly on a child's device, or manage it remotely from your own iPhone or iPad using Family Sharing. The latter is recommended as it prevents children from changing settings.

Best for: Parents with children who have iPhones or iPads, families already in the Apple ecosystem, comprehensive free parental controls.

🔄 Two Setup Methods

Method 1: Direct Setup (Local Device)

  • Pros: Quick setup, works immediately, no Apple ID required
  • Cons: Can be changed by child with passcode, requires physical device access to manage
  • Best for: Younger children, devices that stay at home, temporary/testing setup

Method 2: Family Sharing (Recommended)

  • Pros: Manage from your device, more secure, better for multiple children, purchase sharing
  • Cons: Requires Apple IDs for everyone, slightly more setup time
  • Best for: Most families, teens with their own devices, comprehensive management
Recommendation: Use Family Sharing (Method 2) for children aged 8+. Use direct setup (Method 1) for younger children or shared family devices.

🎯 Method 1: Direct Device Setup

Initial Setup

  1. Open Settings on the child's device

    Tap the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad you want to manage.

  2. Tap Screen Time

    If this is your first time, tap "Turn On Screen Time".

  3. Choose "This is My Child's iPhone/iPad"

    This enables all parental control features. Don't choose "This is My iPhone" as it's designed for personal use.

  4. Set up Downtime (optional but recommended)

    Choose times when only allowed apps and phone calls work. For example: 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM for bedtime.

  5. Configure App Limits (optional)

    Set daily time limits for app categories. For example: 2 hours for games, 1 hour for social networking.

  6. Set Content & Privacy Restrictions

    This is the most important step. Tap "Content & Privacy" to access filtering controls (detailed below).

  7. Create a Screen Time Passcode

    Create a 4-digit passcode that's different from the device unlock code. Write this down securely—it's required to change settings.

Critical: Write down your Screen Time passcode in a safe place. If you forget it, you'll need to erase the device to reset it.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Method 2: Family Sharing Setup (Recommended)

Step 1: Set Up Family Sharing

  1. On your device, open Settings

    Tap your name at the top, then tap "Family Sharing".

  2. Tap "Set Up Your Family"

    If you haven't used Family Sharing before.

  3. Follow the prompts to configure sharing preferences

    Choose what to share: purchases, storage, location, etc. You can change these later.

Step 2: Add Your Child

  1. Tap "Add Member" in Family Sharing

    Choose "Create an Account for a Child".

  2. Enter your child's birthday

    This determines which age-appropriate restrictions are recommended.

  3. Agree to parental consent

    Required by law for children under 13 in the US (varies by country).

  4. Create an Apple ID for your child

    Use their email address or create one (e.g., firstname.lastname@icloud.com).

  5. Enable Ask to Buy

    Requires your approval for purchases, downloads, and in-app purchases. Highly recommended.

  6. Configure Screen Time during setup

    iOS will walk you through basic Screen Time settings. You can refine these later.

Step 3: Sign In on Child's Device

  1. On the child's device, go to Settings

    Tap "Sign in to your iPhone/iPad".

  2. Sign in with the child's new Apple ID

    Enter the email and password you just created.

  3. Complete the setup process

    Follow the prompts. Screen Time settings will automatically sync from your family configuration.

Done! You can now manage Screen Time settings for your child from your own device under Settings → Family → [Child's Name] → Screen Time.

🔒 Content & Privacy Restrictions (Essential)

This is where the actual filtering and protection happens. Navigate to: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions

Enable Restrictions

  1. Turn on "Content & Privacy Restrictions"

    Toggle the switch at the top to enable all restriction features.

iTunes & App Store Purchases

Control downloading and purchasing:

  • Installing Apps: Set to "Don't Allow" or "Ask"
  • Deleting Apps: Set to "Don't Allow" to prevent removing protection apps
  • In-App Purchases: Set to "Don't Allow" or "Ask"
Tip: Setting these to "Ask" requires your approval for each action, providing teachable moments.

Allowed Apps

Control which built-in apps are visible and usable:

  • Safari: Turn off to prevent web browsing
  • Camera & FaceTime: Control based on age
  • Siri & Dictation: May be needed for accessibility
  • AirDrop, CarPlay, etc.: Adjust based on needs
Important: If you disable Safari, consider the child's educational needs. You can enable "Allowed Websites Only" in Content Restrictions instead.

Content Restrictions (Critical Section)

Web Content

  • Unrestricted Access: No filtering (not recommended for children)
  • Limit Adult Websites: Automatic filtering with ability to add specific allowed/blocked sites
  • Allowed Websites Only: Whitelist-only mode, most restrictive
Recommendation: Use "Limit Adult Websites" for most children. Add educational sites to the allowed list and problematic sites to the blocked list.

Apps

Restrict apps by age rating:

  • 4+: Preschool and early elementary
  • 9+: Late elementary
  • 12+: Early middle school
  • 17+: Late teens
  • Don't Allow Apps: Blocks all third-party apps

Movies, TV Shows, Books, Music

  • Set age-appropriate ratings (G, PG, PG-13, etc.)
  • Block explicit content in Apple Music and Podcasts
  • Restrict Explicit Books in Apple Books

Siri

  • Web Search Content: Don't Allow to prevent Siri web searches
  • Explicit Language: Don't Allow

Game Center

  • Multiplayer Games: Control online gaming with others
  • Adding Friends: Restrict friend requests
  • Screen Recording: Control game recording and streaming

Privacy Settings

Control which apps can access sensitive data:

  • Location Services: Manage which apps can track location
  • Contacts, Photos, Microphone, Camera: Control app permissions
  • Advertising: Limit Ad Tracking (privacy recommendation)

Allow Changes

Lock down system settings:

  • Passcode Changes: Don't Allow
  • Account Changes: Don't Allow
  • Cellular Data Changes: Don't Allow (prevents disabling restrictions via VPN)
  • Background App Activities: Don't Allow to prevent workarounds
Critical Security: Set "Cellular Data Changes" and "Background App Activities" to "Don't Allow" to prevent VPN and workaround apps.

⏰ App Limits & Downtime

Setting App Limits

  1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → App Limits
  2. Tap "Add Limit"
  3. Choose categories or specific apps
  4. Set daily time allowance
  5. Choose which days the limit applies
  6. Optional: "Block at End of Limit" prevents "Ask for More Time" requests

Example App Limits:

  • Social Networking: 1 hour/day on school days, 2 hours on weekends
  • Games: 1-2 hours/day
  • Entertainment (YouTube, Netflix): 2 hours/day
  • All Apps & Categories: 6 hours/day (total screen time)

Configuring Downtime

  1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → Downtime
  2. Turn on Downtime
  3. Set schedule (e.g., 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM)
  4. Choose which days (Every Day or Customize Days)
  5. Go to Always Allowed to choose exempt apps

Always Allowed Apps

These apps work even during Downtime:

  • Phone (always included)
  • Messages (recommended for safety)
  • FaceTime (for family communication)
  • Maps (for navigation/safety)
  • Educational apps your child needs

📊 Viewing Reports & Activity

  1. Open Settings → Screen Time
  2. View the dashboard showing:
    • Total screen time today and daily average
    • Most used apps and categories
    • Pickups (how often device was used)
    • Notifications received
  3. Tap "See All Activity" for detailed weekly reports
  4. With Family Sharing, view your child's activity from your device
Discussion Tool: Use Screen Time reports as a starting point for conversations about digital habits and healthy device use.

🔧 Tips & Best Practices

🎯 Age-Appropriate Settings

  • Ages 5-8: Limit adult websites, allow only approved apps, 1-2 hours screen time
  • Ages 9-12: Limit adult websites with exceptions, 12+ apps, 2-3 hours screen time
  • Ages 13-17: Automatic filtering, 17+ apps based on maturity, focus on Downtime and balance

🗣️ Communication is Key

  • Explain why limits exist
  • Review settings together
  • Allow age-appropriate freedom
  • Adjust as they demonstrate responsibility
  • Use "Ask to Buy" as teaching moments

🔐 Security Measures

  • Use a unique Screen Time passcode
  • Don't share passcode with child
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your Apple ID
  • Regularly check if settings have changed
  • Update iOS promptly for security patches

⚙️ Regular Maintenance

  • Review activity reports weekly
  • Adjust limits based on behavior and needs
  • Update allowed/blocked websites lists
  • Re-evaluate restrictions every 6-12 months
  • Test settings after iOS updates

❓ Troubleshooting Common Issues

Child found a workaround or bypass

Solutions:

  • Ensure "Cellular Data Changes" is set to Don't Allow (prevents VPN workarounds)
  • Block app installation or require Ask approval
  • Disable Safari and use a filtered browser app instead
  • Check for recently installed VPN or proxy apps
  • Consider additional DNS filtering at network level

Forgot Screen Time passcode

Solutions:

  • iOS 13.4+: Use Apple ID password to reset (Settings → Screen Time → Change Screen Time Passcode → Forgot Passcode?)
  • Older iOS: May require device erase and restore from backup (time-consuming)
  • Prevention: Store passcode in password manager or secure location

Settings aren't syncing with Family Sharing

Solutions:

  • Ensure all devices are signed in to iCloud
  • Check internet connection on both devices
  • Turn off and on Screen Time on both devices
  • Sign out and back into iCloud (last resort)
  • Contact Apple Support if issue persists

Legitimate educational sites are blocked

Solution: Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Content Restrictions → Web Content. Under "Never Allow" section, add problematic sites to "Always Allow" list instead.

Time limit reached but child needs device for homework

Solutions:

  • Add educational apps to "Always Allowed" list
  • Grant "One More Minute" or "Approve for 15 Minutes"
  • Temporarily adjust limits for specific days
  • Consider separate limits for educational vs entertainment categories

⚖️ Pros & Cons of iOS Screen Time

✅ Advantages

  • Completely free, built into iOS
  • No third-party software needed
  • Comprehensive controls in one place
  • Deep system integration
  • Remote management via Family Sharing
  • Can't be uninstalled
  • Protects both WiFi and cellular
  • Regular updates from Apple
  • Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
  • Privacy-focused (data stays on device)

❌ Limitations

  • Only works on Apple devices
  • Known bypasses exist (mitigated with proper settings)
  • Web filtering is basic compared to dedicated services
  • Limited reporting compared to paid solutions
  • Can't monitor specific websites visited
  • No content monitoring on messages
  • Safari-focused (third-party browsers harder to filter)
  • Requires iOS 12+ (very old devices unsupported)
  • Forgot passcode recovery can be challenging