Parental controls to disable WiFi and/or mobile internet during certain hours?

We recently took a vacation where the kids had their iPads but no internet access for a few days, and it was a much healthier environment for them because it limited all streaming and online games, while still allowing them full access to apps on the device -- which are all less "sticky" than the streaming services.


So is there a way to re-create this situation on their iPads, using parent controls?


It doesn't really work for us to disable internet access on our router. Even when they visit friends' houses, we'd rather they didn't have access to their WiFi without everyone agreeing.


Other answers here have said that there is no way to limit network access using parental controls. Whyever not?

iPad Air (5th generation)

Posted on Jan 6, 2025 1:46 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 6, 2025 1:58 AM

Outside of Enterprise and Educational environments where devices can be centrally managed using an MDM platform, your best option is to control network access from the network itself (such as your WiFi Router). Clearly, when away from home, access to other networks is principally controlled through knowledge of the associated WiFi Password (where applicable).


Your other option is to use ScreenTime controls of your children's devices. Information about available ScreenTime and Parental controls can be found here:

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support

Use Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

Set up Screen Time for a family member on iPad - Apple Support


Completely blocking access to WiFi is impractical. Consider that without a network connection, the associated device(s) won't be able to receive remotely applied changes to ScreenTime and Parental Controls; by design, many elements of these controls cannot be changed from the 'controlled" device that is signed-in to iCloud (again requiring active network connection) with the child's AppleID.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 6, 2025 1:58 AM in response to psydeshow

Outside of Enterprise and Educational environments where devices can be centrally managed using an MDM platform, your best option is to control network access from the network itself (such as your WiFi Router). Clearly, when away from home, access to other networks is principally controlled through knowledge of the associated WiFi Password (where applicable).


Your other option is to use ScreenTime controls of your children's devices. Information about available ScreenTime and Parental controls can be found here:

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support

Use Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

Set up Screen Time for a family member on iPad - Apple Support


Completely blocking access to WiFi is impractical. Consider that without a network connection, the associated device(s) won't be able to receive remotely applied changes to ScreenTime and Parental Controls; by design, many elements of these controls cannot be changed from the 'controlled" device that is signed-in to iCloud (again requiring active network connection) with the child's AppleID.


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Parental controls to disable WiFi and/or mobile internet during certain hours?

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