App install not blocked via screen time

Until Apple can fix this I've used the Screen Time App Limit feature to set 0 minute limits on most categories of apps (not all because then every website is blocked through Safari). Then I used the Always Allow feature to re-enable only the apps that were already installed. If an app is installed through the exploit @chalowm described and it is a part of one of the categories that limits were set on then the iPhone user will only be able to use that app for 1 minute.

It's an insufficient solution but it's better than nothing. It lacks in that: 1) Apps are still able to be installed when they shouldn't be. 2) Any app can be used for exactly 1 minute by asking for "one more minute please". 3) If you were previously making use of screen time limits to allow for 30 minutes or 60 minutes on an app, suddenly those apps have no limits because you added them to Always Allow.

Same problem. Apple doesn't seem to care either. The parental controls on iPhone has gone downhill since they changed the search bar as something you couldn't block or turn off behind parental controls. You can search for images outside of parental controls as well and download apps. It makes the Parental Controls completely useless. "Search" used to be connected to Siri and you could turn that off. Now you can only turn this off by going to: settings > search and toggling "Show Related Content". But that setting is of course not behind the Parental Control lock and can just be turned right back on. All Apple has to do is put that search setting menu inside the Parental Controls and everything would work fine.

This thread shows re-installing already-acquired apps.

To block re-downloads, see: Block apps, app downloads, websites, and purchases on iPhone - Apple Support

If the re-download block is not working, log feedback with Apple: Product Feedback - Apple

And FWIW, from what I’ve encountered of these efforts, parents and educators will lose this effort too, whenever pitted against any suitably inclined kid. This when the adversaries are operating on an allowance-scale budget, too. All of this is — at best — usage guidelines and guard rails, and all of which can be worked around. Even if you supervise this gear.

So the one example I showed is just an app I already previously had. I have done this with apps that have never been downloaded on the iphone before as well.

The problem still remains the first screen shot I posted. “Show related content” needs to be put behind the parental controls.

skilletboy wrote:

So the one example I showed is just an app I already previously had. I have done this with apps that have never been downloaded on the iphone before as well.

The account is where the limits are implemented.

Not the device.

Is an Apple Account possibly being shared here? That gets things tangled. More tangled.

The problem still remains the first screen shot I posted. “Show related content” needs to be put behind the parental controls.

All parental controls can be bypassed and on an allowance-scale budget, if the kids are sufficiently motivated.

Apple has now fixed this problem

skilletboy wrote:

Same problem. Apple doesn't seem to care either.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/919811df-c20c-4204-97ec-bb6abc464579

Have you upgraded to iOS 26.2 released today? Downloading an app using Search without the App Store as noted by the OP should now no longer be possible.

dlif wrote:

Hiding apps is not a solution.

Apple needs to update Screen Time controls. I have sent feedback on this a month ago, but no change in the recent update :(

Sorry, are you saying you hid them and they were still installable, or you just don't like the idea of the workaround?

LD150 wrote:

Maybe turn it all off and talk to your kids about real life.

You gave them the gun, taking out half the bullets is not what they need.

Teach them how to shoot safely.

Are you talking about... parental responsibility!?!?

IdrisSeabright wrote:

LD150 wrote:

Maybe turn it all off and talk to your kids about real life.

You gave them the gun, taking out half the bullets is not what they need.

Teach them how to shoot safely.

Are you talking about... parental responsibility!?!?

That's it! By parents not by technology. 👍

Experiencing same issue. I can’t recall this being an issue before.

anyone have a solution?

Yep fully upgraded as always. the newest update changed nothing. All you have to do is click the little cloud download button.

try hiding it in their App Store (swipe to the side)