Screen time communication limits and downtime contacts

Fixed mine. I’ve had the same problem even though I had already complied with all of the suggestions on this post. Then I discovered that the communication limits worked on one child’s phone but not the other. I think the change that finally made it work was this. Go into the Apple ID settings and then the iCloud settings. Under “Apps using iCloud” make sure the Contacts switch is turned ON. It asked me to merge the contacts, and I did. Now both phones can text only the contacts I select during downtime.

I had the issue where my some of my daughters contacts worked and some didn’t.

The fix was:

1. Make sure Contacts is synced with iCloud
2. Make sure iCloud is the default in Contacts App -> Settings
3. Move ALL contacts from the local device to iCloud contacts (THis is the critical point).

Screen time contact allow/limits ONLY work for iCloud contacts, not contacts on the local device.

I SOLVED IT! I was having this issue too. I was an allowable contact during downtime but my sister wasn't able to message me. How I fixed it is the following:

1. Make sure you/your contact info is an allowable contact under "During Down Time" in the "Communications Limit" section. (Go to Settings > Screen Time > Communications Limit > During Down Time)
2. Then make sure you/your contact info is listed as an allowed contact under the "Allowed Contacts" in the "Always Allowed" section. (This was my issue because my contact wasn't listed here). (Go to Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed > the top of the page let's you pick if the phone can contact "everyone" or "specific contacts")

This worked for me, I hope it works for you all as well. Cheers.

I was running into this problem with my daughter’s phone. She couldn’t text my husband or I, but she could text my oldest daughter. I tried creating a new downtime contact and changed my name to match her contact (Mom) previously it was my name, and it suddenly worked. Give this a try. I also have text messages on always allow and she can only text me and her older sister.

I have actually found the fix for this. Under settings on the child’s phone. You go to their name then iCloud you have to turn on iCloud for contacts in order for it to work. This will make it work *** intended you also add messaging to the allowed programs if you want them to be able to text approved contacts. If they are not approved it won’t allow them to contact them during down time.

Hi All. Apologies if this has been answered exactly as I have it here, but I couldn't be bothered reading three pages of comments. These relate to iOS 13.4.1, so may be slightly different wording/location depending on version.

I also had this issue on my Daughters iPad. Both mine and my Wife's details were in her contacts, we're also setup as Parent/Guardians in Family, but it would still not allow messages to be sent to us during downtime.

I fixed this by enabling iCloud Contacts to Sync in her settings. This was under:

Settings | Password & Accounts | iCloud | iCloud | Contacts = Enabled.

To change this if you have Screen Time active, you will need to make sure you have 'Account Changes' Allowed. This is under:

Settings | Screen Time | Content & Privacy Restrictions | Account Changes = Allow

You also need to make sure you have the Phone, Messages, whichever communication app you want them to use setup in Always Allow. Here:

Settings | Screen Time | Always Allowed | Add your Apps.

Hi. So I was having the same issue and came looking here for help, but I’ve figured out how to fix the problem on my sons iPad. Hope this helps...

:Basically, you have to control it from your (parent) device.

: You can make adjustments on their (child) device, but it doesn’t actually take affect until you turn it on from your (parent) device remotely.

: It gives the program the impression that, if you turn on downtime from your child’s device, you are right there..so no need for communication through call, message or FaceTime, but when done remotely, those features work perfectly fine.

:Once I made the necessary adjustments on my sons iPad (if your child uses them, make sure phone, messages and FaceTime are allowed apps), I then went on my phone (settings, screen time, family, childs contact, turn on screen time) and set his downtime on.

:I tested it by FaceTime’ing myself from his iPad and vice versus.

😊

For those still struggling with this stupid stupid issue, after trying everything in this thread I finally got in my daughters phone. She had multiple copies of several people in her contacts, including me and dad. I deleted all the multiples (including ones with different names, like “grumpy” for dad, lol), and made sure there was only one copy of each person. THEN I followed all the other steps and designated her downtime contacts on her phone from her contact list. Finally. It works.

I had the same problem with one child’s phone working during downtime with allowed contacts and one not. I fixed it by adding allowed contacts during downtime in screen time on my phone under my child’s name AND adding those same allowed contacts during down time on screen time on child’s phone

Had the same issue and found a fix. Of course my daughter being a minor I had to add her to my family share. On my device I set all parameters for what I did and did not want for her phone. I then had to go into her phone for it to match what I set on my phone for her. Once I did this I was able to call her during downtime and she was able to answer. She was also able to call me during downtime. Same with messages.

Not sure if iPhone models matter but I have an 11 pro max and she has a Xr.

Was having the same problem and was incredibly frustrated, but I fixed it!!

you have to add the specific contacts on THEIR device under communication limits, not on yours.

This has been plaguing me and this worked. Adding specific contacts from THEIR phone with the text and FaceTime always allowed (phone is always allowed by default and I don’t think is an option). Messages and FT will not be grayed out but will not allow any contacts not in specific contacts list. Thank you!!

Thank you jrsafford!!! I had tried all other previously listed suggestions and nothing was helping remedy the issue until I read your advice and deleted the old contact and created a new one and deleted the text messages!!! So again, thank you. :)

I found out how to fix this. My son’s always allowed apps did not include texting. Once I added it he was able to see mine and my wife’s messages. Try adding phone and messages to the always allowed list. Also make sure the time limit hasn’t been reached for that app.

Hopefully this is helpful. I too was having this problem and here’s the fix that worked for me. Check the default contact settings and make sure that it’s set to iCloud. Just go to Settings > Contacts > Default Account and choose iCloud. Then delete the contacts that aren’t working and recreate them and add them to the communication limits list again and whabam! Fixed! Good luck!