Screen Time Request Issues

As suggested by mr23648 I started a chat with Apple Support via the app. The tec found the ticket referenced and possible solution is to turn iMessages off on iPhone, wait 15 sec, and turn back on. That worked for me. I can now approve screen time extensions for all my kids on my watch!

He said if happens again just toggle on/off until an update is released fixing it within the software.

Spent about an hour on the phone with Apple support and being passed from person to person until I finally got to a Senior Mac Specialist. He mentioned there is a ticket internally for this issue and hopefully the developers will get it working in MacOS and WatchOS in a near release. If you haven't already, contact Apple Support (via their app which directs you to iMessage) or call and report the issue. The more they hear about it, hopefully the quicker it gets resolved.

Have you updated to iOS 16.0.3 and watchOS 9.0.2?

Thank you!

'turn iMessages off on iPhone, wait 15 sec, and turn back on' works for me!

I have been having this issue since iOS 16. Just updated my kid’s devices to 16.3.1. Watches are on 9.3. I also called Apple Support and they have “no record” of other reports on this issue. The only way this is going to get solved is if more of you call in to escalate to the advance team (tier II).

I also asked support to submit a feedback request that allows us to choose our notification option (app vs. iMessage).

FWIW, I absolutely hate the iMessage notifications, it clogs up my message strings and sometimes freezes my devices (especially my M1 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro).

Yes! I noticed I started getting a text message for requests instead of the notification with the new iOS 16. More recently, I noticed if my sends a request, it gives it as a text, but if my daughter sends a request, it still gives a notification from screen time. Odd. I am trying the "iMessage off and on" fix for now. Hopefully they fix this on the next update.

Same issue, after updating my kid's iPads to iOS 16 the screen time notifications now come through iMessage instead of the purple screen time notification...

Approving time from Apple Watch does not work, no matter how many times I tap "Approve for 15 minutes". Even approving from my iPhone (from Notifications) has been hit and miss.

I tried the iMessage off for 15sec and then back on but that didn't work.

I remember in the past after updating iOS and/or WatchOS that the old Screen Time requests wouldn't come through and the only fix was to unpair the watch and then re-pair the watch and then Screen Time notifications started coming through again.

I tried this now with iOS 16.2 to see if that same bug is there ... and sadly it did not work either.

Time to send my kids' iPad's back to iOS 15.xxx until this gets figured out!

Just updated to iOS 16.3.1 and WatchOS 9.3.1 and this bug persists for me.

Still cannot approve Screen Time requests from my watch regardless of turning iMessage on/off as some have suggested.

I also updated my kids devices to iPadOS 16.3.1 just to be sure.

When the request shows up on my watch I have the option to approve for 15 minutes / 1 hour / all day just like you see on the phone, but when I select one of those options nothing happens. NOTHING. The request remains on my phone where I can still approve the request.

This is beyond frustrating!!!! 😡

This new feature is AWFUL!! How is removing the ability to approve on my watch or phone and replacing it with an approval I can only do through the message app on my phone an improvement?

Agreed. This is terrible. Nice to have it in iMessage, but should also be on watch and banner like before.

Agreed! This new update is awful! It does NOT make it more convenient for parents to approve time requests. One request wouldn’t add more time no matter how many times my kid sent it and I approved it!

We should be able to have an option of how these requests are delivered!

I just tested the messages off and back on. If I notice the alert as its coming in I can approve it. But if it comes in without vibrating or dinging and I don’t notice it until later, then it says I have to use my phone to approve. 😣

Just updated to iOS 16.3 and WatchOS 9.3 and this bug persists for me.

Still cannot approve screentime requests from my watch regardless of turning iMessage on/off as suggested.

I also updated my kids devices to iPadOS 16.3 just to be sure.

Hard to believe this is still broken! 😡

Having this issue as well. In the last you can approve screen time from the watch. With the latest Apple Watch iOS 9.2 and 9.3 I have been unable to approve screen time for my kids from Apple Watch. Please fix this!

I can’t approve at all. It pops up on my watch but does nothing. Pops up on my phone that does nothing. Probably only text messages actually work but I never tried it because I get frustrated with it ruining the ongoing chats with my wife and kids.