Screen time limitations not working

My child is using iPhone 13 mini with latest iOS update. Parental controls are in use, I have limited installing and removing apps, purchases, some content, etc. But most important thing is that I have limited screen time. Parental controls and screen time limitations are surprisingly poorly designed for an Apple product. But now, for some reason, screen time limitations have stopped working completely.


In the settings (visible from my phone and also from my child´s phone) screen time has been limited to 1hr per day for all apps. Phone and messages apps are allowed without limitations. With these limitations in use, my child can use apps beyond the limited amount. For example, WhatsApp can be seen in the screen time menu. If I open the WhatsApp from the most used list, there can be seen that the limit is 1hr per day. Still the app can be used without limitation. For example today, the app has been in use for 2hrs now.


So now this feature is useless. How can I limit phone use for my child? It is important for him to have the phone and be able to use it. But for me, it is not possible to control the amount he is using it by taking the phone away always.


iPhone 13 mini

Posted on Jan 19, 2024 06:43 AM

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3 replies

Mar 5, 2024 04:07 PM in response to JP_C

Do you know if he is changing the time zone on his device to allow more time, then changing it back?


You can also restrict this by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Location Services > System Services > Setting Time Zone. Shut this off, then go back one page to Location Services and choose "Don't Allow Changes".


Mar 5, 2024 03:50 PM in response to JP_C

Screen Time is a constant problem for us. Sometimes it works fine. Sometimes it doesn't track ANY app usage for our kids or apply limits. We have tried restarting devices, turning limits on and off. Now the apps that we've limited on our kids' devices can't be used at all. It's absolutely infuriating, and Apple seems uninterested in solving these problems.

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Screen time limitations not working

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