Screen time communication limits and downtime contacts

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

I, unfortunately, am having this same issue and more. I have my TWO teenagers phones on my family sharing account and have set communication limits through screen time. Downtime is from 10PM-630AM and I have it set on both my phone and each of their phones to allow communication with certain contacts (each other and both my husband and I). Messages, phone and FaceTime are all enabled as allowed downtime apps on all of our phones. They still can’t utilize this feature. If I call them, straight to voicemail. If they try to call me it pops up and says they’re restricted or whatever. It also won’t allow them to message any of us. The only difference for me, that I’m not seeing anyone else having an issue with is, they can’t even request more screen time for the messaging and calling features. ALL other apps are given the option to request more screen time. It’s been so frustrating. SO, with all of that being said, if anyone out there has figured out a solution, please pass it my way!! I’ve been Googling and reading all the forums and comments and am still stuck!

Thank you all so much!!

I’m also having this issue! With it not even letting me ask for more time in my messages. I've set up time limits for myself bc I want time away from other ppl and such, but I still want to be able to contact family members and my partner. It's so frustrating. Having them in my allowed contacts worked for a while, but it's started blocking ALL my contacts the past few weeks and it's driving me nuts. If you're going to block ALL my contacts, at least give me the same feature to request more time??? Plus Messages etc are on my always allowed list. Baffles my mind. What the heck. I'm glad I'm not alone in these problems

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!

i finally figured out that I can make calls to my daughter using FaceTime audio or video but not regular phone or text during downtime. Apple has definitely screwed up the Screen time app but give that a try as a temporary workaround.

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!!

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.

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.

It really just shouldnt be this hard is the point that apple should be paying attention to. Some of us are able to make it work, some not. Either way it takes a space science degree and hours of fiddling with BOTH phone which defeats the feature. Frustrating to say the least

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.

😊

Okay after 3.5 hours of trial and error I found this thread - YIPPEE

NOT!

Really? After months there is still no fix. I have tried all the recommended 'fixes' on this thread as well with no luck. I had to go to the hospital last night. GOOD THING I was cognizant enough to take of his Downtime. What if I am not next time?

It is NOT a good tool AT ALL if it leaves children in a lurch in an emergency!!!!!!!!!

Isn't that why we all justified the need for them to have a cell phone in the first place?

I sincerely hope someone takes this for the serious issue it is BEFORE a law suit!

Thank you! Your answer helped me with one of my kid’s phone (kid 1). It was a pain deleting and re-adding but at least it worked!!!! The other one of my kid’s phone (kid 2) just needed me to always allow texting. Might be worth noting that kid 1’s phone is current on updates iOS 13.5.1, whereas kid 2 has not been updated. Also- their phones are same type and age, as well as from same manufacture batch too. I don’t understand the inconsistencies and certainly hope the next update fixes these issues for everyone!!!!

In order to make it work properly you must have family sharing set up and go into the screen time setting from your personal (parent) device click screen time -> scroll to family and then click on the desired child’s name and edit everything from your (parent) device.

I tried the other methods as well and still not working. My daughter has an iPad (not a phone) and it is Wi-Fi only so she doesn't even have the phone app available to allow. We turned on Face Time and Text Messages (and tried it both on on her device as well as from mine) but it still will not allow her to text me (or the other allowed downtime contacts). Is it because she doesn't have the phone app? Certainly they would have considered this for the Wi-Fi devices?