Level 1

34 points

Apple Screen Time app limits not working

I’ve used screen time for my kids to limit time on certain apps. It worked well for years, but now I will set the limits and then they will suddenly disappear after a day or even less. Other settings also get erased including downtime and content restrictions. I have changed the passcode and the kids swear they have not tried to change any settings. This issue started about two months ago. I have updated iOS on all the devices. I have turned screen time off and set up settings again. I have tried setting the limits from my device as well as the individual devices. My kids will spend too much time on their phones without limitations in place and creates repeated bouts of anger for my wife. Please help!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 14

Posted on Dec 19, 2022 6:41 PM

Top-ranking reply

AndiWhitts

Level 1

13 points

Posted on Jan 13, 2023 5:15 AM

I’ve contacted apple and the problem is resolved by doing the below steps:

Turn off screen time for the device that is needing to be blocked for downtime (childs device)
Make sure all pictures have synced with iCloud or they will be lost (scroll to bottom of photos app to check if any pending) sign out of iCloud on all devices that can either approve screen time requests or have screen time limitations (child and parents)
reset the same devices (not erase content, just reset all settings by going to settings > transfer or reset iPhone > reset > reset all settings)
sign back in to iCloud on all devices
turn screen time back on and set downtime limits
everything should be working normally now and stay as is

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368 replies

gary_dps

Level 1

8 points

Nov 16, 2023 5:52 PM in response to Drmorin

It's more than annoying, it could be dangerous for children who are using their device when parents believe they're on downtime when really they're not.

azareal

Level 1

8 points

Nov 19, 2023 11:22 AM in response to Drmorin

The only first

Nov 19, 2023 8:54 PM in response to tjag-gb

So this thread has been moved to a fairly agressive auto mod level it seems. Anything remotely suggestive of action gets auto deleted.

Dec 9, 2023 2:11 PM in response to ScreenTimeDOESNOTWORK

All their programmers are too busy drinking pumpkin latte. No other explanation, considering that this problem is there for years now. I hope, at least, they will fire someone.

matti229

Level 1

9 points

Dec 12, 2023 1:26 PM in response to Drmorin

Same here. Tried reboots and all, still have to set restrictions every single day as they vanish. Not very great user experience.

Dec 12, 2023 4:13 PM in response to tjag-gb

I’ve had mine scrubbed too when I mentioned that Forbes reported on this back in July/August 2023. Apparently Apple doesn’t like that pointed out to them.

Dec 12, 2023 4:14 PM in response to parleer

Oh, I think so 1000000%

Dec 31, 2023 6:20 AM in response to NewYorkFrank

I tried this last year and it didn’t work.

Jan 1, 2024 4:26 PM in response to Chris_V89

All 4,000 people should contact support?

Hetzyp79

Level 1

9 points

Jan 3, 2024 9:29 PM in response to Drmorin

This is STILL a problem Apple! This really needs to be fixed.

chadkbh

Level 1

9 points

Jan 10, 2024 3:10 PM in response to Drmorin

Ok so that's exactly what's happening here. It's a convenient software glitch that will solidify the next generation of customers by having them addicted as **** to iOS at a young age. Great.

Nana-40

Level 1

12 points

Jan 10, 2024 9:57 PM in response to Drmorin

It becomes a serious issue for us, I have teens and I cannot even restrict their access to their age rated apps and websites.

razmtaz

Level 1

25 points

Jan 15, 2024 6:54 PM in response to craftyminnesotamom

I agree. I just cancekked all my business computer orders.

Feb 13, 2024 2:48 AM in response to Drmorin

I am in 2024 and I am still facing this issue on my iphone. I am running iOS 17.1.1. my phone is not even able to record the screen time so as a result the app restrictions are also not working.

Feb 14, 2024 7:01 AM in response to Drmorin

My parental controls went down and the kids changed their iPhone passcodes which is usually disallowed. NOT OK.

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Apple Screen Time app limits not working