Screen Time - Restrict Cellular Data Changes not applying to all Cellular Data settings

Hi,


This might be a bug or a 'feature'. Which one is it? If the latter, a one not well thought over.


The use case:

  1. On my personal iPhone: I enable Screen Time for my kid's device.
  2. On my personal iPhone: In Screen Time setting, I set Content & Privacy Settings -> Cellular Data Changes to Don't Allow for the kid's device.
  3. On my kid's iPhone: I go to check the Settings -> Cellular on my kid's device.


Expected result:

  • All changes to Cellular Data are restricted on the kid's device.


Actual result:

  • Despite the Cellular Data Changes restriction, the main setting switch Cellular Data is still operable on the kid's iPhone!
  • Only the app specific setting switches are blocked on the kid's iPhone.


The issue being:

  • When the kid sets Cellular Data main setting to disabled it causes all data traffic to cease.
  • This means the Find My app on my iPhone can't locate the kid's device anymore. Also, IM and other apps reliant on data connection do not work anymore on the kids device.
  • Per this I don't see from my Find My app where my kid's device is. And the familiar communication methods like the WhatsApp is no longer working for the kid.


To improve:

  • Apple, please make the Restrict Cellular Data Changes restriction to apply to ALL cellular data settings on the target device.
  • Including, apply the restriction to Cellular Data Options, to prevent toggle Roaming on/off. Because, if abroad and this setting is set as disabled by the kid it is not possible to locate or contact the kid due lack of data connection.
  • Further including, apply the restriction to Personal Hotspot, as enabling and sharing connection to others has the potential to drain the kid's device battery - When again it is not possible to locate or contact the kid.


Devices and OS versions:

  • My device: iPhone 11, iOS 13.6.1
  • Target (the kid's) device: iPhone 7, iOS 13.6.1


Thanks!

iPhone 11

Posted on Aug 20, 2020 11:00 AM

Reply

Similar questions

1 reply

Aug 21, 2020 8:59 AM in response to jiikoo

Hi Jiikoo,


Thanks for posting in Apple Communities! From our understanding, when you use the Content & Restrictions feature in Screen Time for your Child's device to restrict the changing of cellular data options, you are still able to toggle Cellular data off and on. Is that correct? If so, this would be expected behavior. This feature restricts turning cellular data off and on for specific app however, you can still control the overall cellular data of the device. Check out Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch for information on everything that you can block or limit.


You can submit feedback directly to Apple regarding this or any changes you'd like to see by going here: Product Feedback.


Take Care!

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Screen Time - Restrict Cellular Data Changes not applying to all Cellular Data settings

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.