Apple Screen Time app limits not working

FWIW, I’ve been struggling with screentime settings not-staying on the kids iPads for months as well. I was always having issues trying to manage their screentime settings from my iOS devices, I even had issues trying to update the settings using their devices. But yesterday I did it from a MacOS and it seemed much more responsive and so far settings have remained as I put them. So, until apple fixes on their end, maybe try to update from a MacOS device.

So I've got it working for the most part with 16.5. Approving more time will turn off app limits for the whole phone. So my kid asked for more time and I approved and it unlocked everything. Also him hitting one more minute will unlock everything too. If you want to give more time, do so within the app limits setting. So I think I've got it ok for now but still not 100% fixed that's for sure.

Hi everybody. Ok, so I have some tentative good news and a bit of don't know news. IOS 17 seems to solve the problem. So far. You can look at my previous posts to understand how many devices I have to solve the problem for...but...for the biggest problem device, I have been monitoring to see if the changes have worked --particularly in the app limits section. It appears my app limits are holding BUT, as I have mentioned before, I have tried to delete some of the app limits and they are reappearing just like before. Not every one, mind you (there were probably 15 app limits that i could never delete), but I am down to just two that won't delete. I have no idea why. The good news is that the ones I want to work are actually working. So, I would recommend installing iOS 17 as it does seem to solve the majority of problems I was having with screen time. I'll wait a while and post again if there is an update. Good luck everyone!

Ok, this was problem for me too.

Apple support said to rename my iPhone, and rename my kids devices too.

able to add app limits again. Simple fix! Someone should have posted.

Good luck parents!

I've done all the steps (updates, sign out of both iClouds, sign back in, factory resets, etc) at least 10 times now and every time it works for a week or so then it reverts back to not working again. Apple said my son must be doing something to hack it so on several occasions I took his phone after he went to sleep, made sure we both had the same iOS with no updates needed, set all his Screen Time settings the way they should be, turned off his phone and put it in my safe overnight. Then next morning, almost all of the ScreenTime settings were off! I've spent countless hours on the phone with at least 6 different Apple Support Reps to no avail. I'm done with Apple.

Hey Drmorin,

Is there any chances that your kids may have access to your phone password? Since phone password can be used to reset the screen time password without the old screen time passcode

Hey there Drmorin,

Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities.

Based on the information you've provided, and the troubleshooting steps you've gone through, we'd recommend reaching out to Apple Support directly from this link here: Get Support - Apple

They'll be the best option to take a closer look into this issue from here.

Best regards.

No- apple has not fixed this. I had a scheduled call with apple today but they never called. I had to make three different calls to finally connect with someone long enough to fully discuss the situation. The other calls mysteriously dropped…

I was told they are working on it and to watch for an update.

I asked how Apple was informing consumers about this situation, which puts children at risk, and they responded that because it’s only impacting some people, they don’t want to say anything until they have a fix, so they don’t freak people out. I clarified that she was telling me it is apple’s practice to not inform consumers about known safety issues, even if it means children may be harmed. She confirm do that they don’t inform consumers of issues until they have a solution. I told her that I have reached out to media. Apple should be ashamed for knowingly putting children at risk.

Update 16.4 did not resolve the issue for us. Downtime seems to not get cleared but app limits get reset 3-4 times per day. So far we have just been periodically checking and re-adding them. We decided that since downtime appears to be working, we just roll back downtime hours if they go over on our agreed upon app limits. Still super annoying.

Thanks icetwice for the preliminary feedback. Yes, that is a thing, all devices involved in the parental controls ecosystem would need to be on the same iOS level for a comprehensive test. I too am keeping my fingers crossed for the next iOS release and l believe only through this means can Apple truly fix this issue for us frustrated parents. There is no magic workaround that sticks and I will not be resetting all my family's devices etc. anymore; been down that road already. In the interim, without a 100% reliable technology solution available now, we have focused in my household on old-school conversation and engagement. The absence of leaning solely on tech to manage screen time means my 9 year old has to be more mindful, has become better at telling time, and we have more conversations around how we should be spending our time. We even treat screen time like credit. If he was supposed to spend 1 hour and did 3 instead today, he may not get to use the iPad at all for the next day or two. He is learning swiftly about self control, managing time and tech discipline. As a result, he is also becoming a savvy negotiator, but thats another conversation, LOL. Good luck parents and thanks for all the feedback. My wife and I will continue to be patient until Apple figures out how to fix this known bug in their code.

[Edited by Moderator]

Andreas - I did try this but it didn't work for me. But it did work in combination with another step (outlined in another post below) - but basically - removing the child from the initial "family sharing" account by inviting them to another adult's family sharing account worked to clear the child's account of any lingering screen time issues.

But if it works with the above for others - great!

Ok, update - and it's not a great one. Very sorry.

Like I mentioned above, my child's screen time app limits, when separated from the original family sharing account (my spouse's), were behaving correctly with no problems. My next step was to re-invite my child to my spouse's family sharing account. Frustratingly, when I added my child back to the original family sharing account, the mysteriously appearing/disappearing app limits started up again with a vengeance. I think there are now 20 app limits that I cannot delete nor toggle off/on.

So Apple, if you are reading this, the problem is associated with the linking of a child's account to the original family sharing account.

I’ve had the same issue when trying to amend remotely from my phone. If I want to increase the time then great it works every time however when I try to reduce again it just doesn’t want to play. The only way I have managed to get around this is to amend the limits on his device directly. Not always possible if I’m not around but at least it’s at the correct limit again

Apple has now publicly admitted that there is a problem with screen time. I have had an open ticket with them for over two years they are well aware of the problem

I can screen record my phone going in and deleting old screen time settings, set up new ones, and the next day every thing will be back.

I have canceled all of my business orders and I won’t be buying another Apple product until they sort this out. It’s an extreme danger for kids and it’s completely irresponsible.

Did the update last night to 16.4 and it seems to have resolved this issue! So far so good.