Screen Time Downtime syncs iPhone/MacBook despite Share Off

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Level 1

4 points

Screen Time Downtime syncs iPhone/MacBook despite Share Off

Hello,

I would like to use Screen Time and enable downtime on my child's phone but not their Macbook. I've disabled "Share Across Devices" and when I turn downtime on/off it still syncs with the other device. How do I stop that from happening?

MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Posted on Jul 20, 2026 9:01 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

SravanKrA

Level 10

441,736 points

Jul 23, 2026 1:26 AM in response to DanTheDad82

If Downtime keeps syncing between your child’s iPhone and Mac even after turning off Share Across Devices, it usually means both are still managed under the same Screen Time settings.

What to check:

Turn off Share Across Devices on the child’s account, not just the parent’s.
On iPhone: Settings → Screen Time → Share Across Devices → Off
On Mac: System Settings → Screen Time → Share Across Devices → Off
Make sure you’re viewing the child’s Screen Time settings in Family Sharing.
Restart both devices so the change applies.

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