Level 1

18 points

Screen Time not stopping YouTube or Spotify

Others have had this same issue but I didn’t see a current posting. I have my son’s screen time setup with a 4 hour app limit across all apps. I then go in and specify certain apps to be excluded under the Always Allow section. (messaging, maps, calculator, calendar, etc…)

YouTube and Spotify are most definitely included in the all apps but are not included in the always allow yet he can still view YouTube videos way past the App Limits. I have reset all settings as other have mentioned but it continues to be available while other apps show as out of time. This is a major flaw and should be remedied ASAP.

iPhone 12 mini

Posted on Aug 6, 2023 6:05 PM

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Mr. ToR

Level 1

15 points

Posted on Oct 11, 2024 10:13 AM

Ok i found a solution to this problem. First you have to accept that some apps are not controllable this way. They are somehow cheating this system. The solution is to put a restriction to all apps from the "App Limits". There is a selection called "All Apps & Categories" This selection will also cover the apps you can not control like youtube or spotify or roblox etc. I'm giving a 1 hour restriction to all apps, with "Block at End of Limit"

I also have Downtime for everyday set to 21:00~16:00 with "Block at Downtime" This way all games fun stuff etc will stop working at 9pm and not be available until 4pm next day (after school)

Then, from the "Always allowed" section allow all the apps you want. The apps in this allow list will override "App Limit" restriction as well as the "Downtime" restriction. Add school stuff and productivity etc to this list.

So school and other essential stuff always works. Your kid will have 1hour to play between 4pm and 9 pm. If they want more time they will ask. Maybe they deserve it, so you might give extra time when they ask. But by default they have 1 hour.

This works wery well for us. You have to be firm. Good luck :-)

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24 replies

Mar 23, 2024 12:32 PM in response to Haugsness

all these negative reviews about time limits not working for certain social media apps. Let me just say their not lying but there not right. It is just a user problem. Some people have it some people don’t. Apple can’t fix this so stop making these dumb reviews.

Mr. ToR

Level 1

15 points

Apr 12, 2024 2:14 AM in response to SravanKrA

Dude, you just explained how screen time configuration works.

That's notwhat the question was. Did you just assume we are doing something wrong?

However it was you doing something wrong with your assumption.

If you know the answer please explain why screen time can not limit Roblox and YouTube but all other games, app groups and apps.

Otherwise there is no need to answer something other than the question.

Jan 30, 2024 2:15 PM in response to Muszky

I hope that Apple does do this deliberately so that kids have a stronger habit of using iPhones.

Jun 8, 2024 11:08 PM in response to XHerbie

Have you gotten a fix for this?

Aug 13, 2024 4:09 AM in response to Haugsness

Same here! I have two girls, they have the same settings, and one of the girl’s YouTube is just continuously there in downtime!

tana90

Level 1

8 points

Aug 23, 2024 5:32 AM in response to Pollyannabelle

Same here pollyanabelle. I have twins and one youtube kids shuts off when it is supposed to and the other doesn’t. It’s extremely frustrating.

Dec 23, 2023 11:07 PM in response to Haugsness

Check your child’s calendar. My daughter set her phone calendar date a day behind which in turned allowed her to have unlimited time on all her apps. On my phone when I went to the day it showered she had zero activity but when I went to screen time on her phone it showers activity.

XHerbie

Level 1

14 points

Mar 30, 2024 4:13 PM in response to Slime4599

It is NOT a user problem. I am an IT engineer, and I have used technology for 30 years. I could literally show you in person if you live next-door to me that this technology does not work for all apps. I have tried every combination possible using downtime, and it simply does not work for certain app. I’m not an idiot I’m not technology illiterate. I know what I’m talking about. It is an issue that Apple refuses to address.

Ens0

Level 1

8 points

Nov 6, 2024 12:11 PM in response to AS75

This fixed it. For some reason YouTube was in the ‘Always Allowed’ section

Under ‘Screen Time’ in settings check the ‘Always Allowed’ section

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Screen Time not stopping YouTube or Spotify