I have gone into the my daughters screentime and set app limits, down time, and all catagories to 1 min. and "block at end of limit" . Tiktok and Episode game are still up and running on my daughters phone. PLease advise why these apps STILL run and how to limit.
I have had this incredibly frustrating problem twice now -- I've actually had two problems: 1) not all apps are blocked at downtime, and 2) apps aren't blocked after the time limit is reached. Finally, after HOURS of time trying to fix the problem, I finally figured out something that worked! In the hopes that this might help others, I wanted to post my solution.
Step 1: from the parent's phone, turn off screen time for the child's account. Settings->Screen Time->Child's name->Turn Off Screen Time (scroll to the very bottom to find this)
Step 2: from the child's phone, go into settings and sign out of the phone. Settings->Child's name (at the very top)->Sign Out (at the very bottom). This didn't change any of the contents of the phone (at least it didn't for me), it just removes your child's apple ID from the phone.
Step 3: (this one might not be needed, but I did this part too, so just in case) power down the child's phone and keep it off for one or two minutes.
Step 4: power the child's phone back up, and sign back in using the child's apple ID. Settings->Sign in to your iPhone (at the top).
This completely cleared all the Screen Time settings from the phone and reset it back to what it looked like when everything was new. From there, I just went through the normal steps for setting up Screen Time for the first time. When it was set back up, the problem with screen time not blocking apps was gone ... at least for now.
My child only has one Apple device (the phone), so I don't know if it would be more complicated with more devices. Maybe you have to do it for all of them simultaneously?
At any rate, good luck -- I hope this helps!
Chris as you can see in the conversation thread many parents are having this issue with the TikTok and Snapchat apps! I have gone through all the directions for setting downtime as well as time limits- these two apps will not comply. Please advise!
I too have the same issue....I am well aware of how screen time works and how to PROPERLY set it up. Regardless how many times I try or adjust settings. TikTok, Roblox, Snapchat are ALWAYS available to use....they have individual app limits set, also have phone use time limit set, AND downtime set. None of that stops the apps from being used anytime and for as long as my child wants.
Doesn't sound like Apple cares at all, does it? I try not to be paranoid, but they've been obstructing parental control apps for quite a while: https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/4/18653142/apple-mdm-parental-control-screen-time-app-store-guidelines-update
I am tired of this company that stopped innovating a long time ago and always seems to think that it knows what's best for us better than we do. I've been a fan of the iPhone for a long time, but I am seriously thinking to give Android a try.
I’m having the same issue with one of my kids‘ phones. TikTok and Snapchat never get limited (greyes out) after they’ve used all their time or the downtime kicks in. I’m having that problem in my kid’s iPhone XR but not on the 8 Plus. What phone model is everyone else experiencing this on?
Why hasn’t Apple done anything about this? From this post it appears it’s been happening since March?
@Apple, we rely on you to help us keep our children safe and the parental controls feature is very important. Please help us!
I too have been fighting the issue of screen time not locking SnapChat, TikTok and sometimes Instagram. It is very frustrating when you set the app limit to 2 hours a day and when you check screen time for those apps they have been on it for 5 hours. HELLO, we need answers. I have deleted the app limit, turned off screen time limits, done everything everyone has suggested and still fighting this battle. I am about to look into other apps that will help control the amount of time my child
spends on social media. It’s sad that Apple won’t step up to the plate and help us out!!
Exact same issue here, tik tok and Snapchat not blocked at all.
Come on Apple what’s the point if the 2 biggest teenage time syncs aren’t blocked.
Amazing to me that Apple are unable to solve? Really how hard can it be?
Having the same issue and noticed the name thing too. I am so frustrated. I’m turning everything else off until she will give me her phone and let me try to fix it. I am SO tired of battling screen time. Most kids do not regulate themselves and TikTok is so addictive she’s watching it for hours. Let us know if you figure out anything re: the name.
I have the same issue. Its' frustrating. For all other apps limiting screen time works but not for Tiktok. This app is the majoj time waster and short of banning my 14 year old daughter from her phone I have no way of controlling it's use. Please FIX this. Thank you.
The “parental
controls” in TikTok are almost as useless as Screen a Time. Yes they have time limits but the content filter is ridiculous. It DOESN'T filter inappropriate content and the remedy provided is to report the video that is inappropriate, but when you try to do that it gives you a list of reasons, none of which apply because the poster is not violating TikTok’s rules. It’s usually an age-related issue.
screentime doesn’t work for tiktok Snapchat Instagram and YouTube — for both downtime and time limits. Don’t waste your time with so called apple support, as they font know how to fix the problem. I’ve reached the conclusion that Apple doesn’t care to fix the problem and is engaging in false advertising and consumer fraud regarding screentime. Apple — when are you going to fix this problem?
I set up time restrictions on her iPad applications on EVERY app except her school app. She doesn’t know the password. I changed the password for her to purchase items yet she is still buy Robux!
She said nothing has changed on her iPad because I expected some mad screaming. And nothing has changed! Why set this up when it doesn’t work? And uninstalling and reinstalling should not be necessary.
this situation is ridiculous.
Thanks Billy, I don’t remember selecting my phone or kids phone. We have Family Sharing setup, so they already know that it is a kid’s phone. Do you remember where the question was. I did it through my phone but maybe I should be on each individual phone?
I’m having the same issue with screen time:
tiktok and snap chat keep vanishing off my daughter’s app limits list. Nothing has worked to rectify the situation. It is a significant problem.
Any solution would be sincerely appreciated
thank you
I know right! You would think Apple would sort this out. It works on one of my kids phones but not the other three. I have gone over the settings 50 thousand times and they are identical. Just so soul destroying that you think the kids can’t use anything and they can.
I’m having the same problem and yes Episode is the only app still available after limits expire. It’s very frustrating.
Parent Control- Screen time not working for tiktok and Episode APP
