How to block specific apps? Specifically ones that were previously downloaded

"With Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time, you can block or limit specific apps and features on your child's device."


This statement from Apple's own support page is a lie.


You absolutely CANNOT block specific apps on your child's device. There is NO option for a "Don't Allow" list. There's NO way to limit specific app time to anything less than 1 minute per day.


The only way to entirely block an app is to restrict the age rating, but then EVERY app with that age rating will be blocked.


This is absolutely maddening. Does anybody who is actually a parent of real-life children have anything to do with developing Apple parental controls?


Am I missing something? Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I have been able to discover, Apple's level of parental control on apps is unforgivably inadequate.

iPhone 8

Posted on Nov 13, 2023 02:07 PM

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Posted on Nov 13, 2023 02:14 PM

Screentime: Use Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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


You cannot block an app that has already been installed (theoretically, it's been approved), only use screen time restrictions for that app.


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6 replies

Jun 18, 2024 08:13 PM in response to SeladorGuy

You can block some apps thru screen time but not all. Some can be blocked by going into your kid’s account in Screen Time on your phone, then going to Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps & Features. From here you can shut off Apple-made apps like Safari and FaceTime. I don’t think you can shut off 3rd party apps from the App Store here. The better way to do this has two steps: (1) go on your phone to the child’s Screen Time account, to Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchase and set “Installing Apps” to Don’t Allow. This makes the App Store disappear from the child’s phone; (2) manually delete — on your child’s phone — the apps you don’t want him or her to have. Now they are deleted and your kid can’t put them back using the App Store. You can delete almost anything, including Safari and all 3rd party apps.

Nov 13, 2023 03:08 PM in response to muguy

Yeah. That’s what’s so maddening. I was hoping I was just missing some setting, but alas.


Essentially, you’re forced to block apps *in advance* or forever deal with them on your kids’ phones. It makes no sense. No parent with real-life children — particularly young teens — would design parental controls this way.


Incredibly frustrating. I know many parents feel the same way about these appallingly inadequate controls.

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How to block specific apps? Specifically ones that were previously downloaded

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