Screen time limits not working.

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Level 1

13 points

Screen time limits not working.

Screen time limits are not working on daughter’s phone. I have two children that I manage screen time for, both accounts have the exact same settings but the screen time limits are not working for 1 of the phones. Both my phone and her phone have the most recent iOS, I have deleted the limit and re-added it multiple times. I have completely stopped managing screen time and then re-enabled it. Yes, “block at end of limit” is enabled. We have restarted the phones. Nothing is working.

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Jan 7, 2026 8:54 PM

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Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

103,608 points

Jan 9, 2026 8:14 AM in response to Kaylu85

We don't know what the difference is between the two phones. What apps are installed on the bad phone compared to the good phone? (thinking security, or free VPN)

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Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

103,608 points

Jan 9, 2026 10:31 AM in response to Kaylu85

Depends on what their data and photo portfolio is, but if absolutely everything is sync'd to iCloud you could wipe the phone and start again. Knowing kids though, they won't want to lose their Socials history which is very difficult to keep safe when restoring to factory.

Not many seniors here like parental controls and prefer to get the kids to cooperate or keep phones out of the bedroom at night. They also often know, from their friends, how to trick Screen Time.

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Answer 3

SravanKrA

Level 10

433,088 points

Jan 9, 2026 12:52 AM in response to Kaylu85

This may help --> Parental Controls through Screen Time for… - Apple Community

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Answer 4

Kaylu85 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 9, 2026 7:08 AM in response to SirPinkPanther

The app limits are not working. Both devices are set to “All Apps and Categories” for 4 hours a day during the holiday break. Both have “block at end of limit” turned on. Both have the same “always allowed” apps, such as music, kindle, etc. One device will block everything, except those always allowed apps, once it hits the 4 hours. The other device won’t. I’ll go to check the daily usage when I feel like it should have blocked it a long time ago and it will be over by many hours. She is able to use it all day as long as she likes. No, she doesn’t know the passcode. I’ve switched it multiple times and get alerts when it is used on her phone. The settings on her phone match what I have set. Downtime does work where everything closes at 10pm. Ask to buy limits work. Everything else works but the App limits.

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Answer 5

Kaylu85 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 9, 2026 8:27 AM in response to LD150

Both are iPhone 17s. Both have the most recent iOS. The affected phone doesn’t have any odd apps like that. It’s for a 12 year old and ask to buy is turned on so I know every app that is downloaded. No security apps or VPN anything. Everything was transferred over and set up exactly as it was on her previous phone. App limits worked for about a month and then just stopped.

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Answer 6

Jan 9, 2026 1:36 AM in response to SravanKrA

So the Screen Time is working for one device and not the other with regards to an application or a time limit? What feature in Screen Time is not working?

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Answer 7

Kaylu85 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 9, 2026 7:02 AM in response to SravanKrA

No, it isn’t. I’ve been using Screen Time for years for my kids and everything is set correctly. I don’t need tutorials on how to set it up.

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Screen time limits not working.

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