Screen Time, a feature on Apple devices to track and limit device usage, can sometimes malfunction due to bugs or other factors. A guide is available to troubleshoot and resolve these issues.
Before troubleshooting, users may need their Apple ID password and Screen Time passcode. It’s also important to note that disabling and re-enabling Screen Time will erase previous Screen Time data, and resetting all settings will revert app settings to default.
To diagnose and fix common Screen Time problems, follow these steps: reboot the device to refresh Screen Time. For devices without a home button, simultaneously hold down one of the volume buttons on the left and the button on the right. Drag the Power Off slider, wait 30 seconds, then hold down the right-side button to turn it back on. For devices with a home button, hold down the button on the right side until the Power Off slider appears. Drag the slider to the right, wait 30 seconds, then hold down the same button on the right side to turn the device back on.
Refresh settings by disabling and re-enabling Screen Time. Go to Settings > Screen Time, scroll to the bottom, and tap Turn Off Screen Time. If prompted, enter the Screen Time passcode. After it’s off, return to Settings > Screen Time and turn it back on.
Turn off Low Power Mode by navigating to Settings > Battery and toggling off the switch next to Low Power Mode.
Update device software by going to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it.
Verify the date and time settings are correct by opening Settings > General > Date & Time. Toggle on Set Automatically to ensure accuracy based on the time zone. Alternatively, toggle off Set Automatically and manually adjust the date and time if incorrect.
Check that the Downtime feature is enabled by going to Settings > Screen Time > Downtime. Confirm the setting is toggled on.
Confirm that Communication Limits are enabled and configured by accessing Settings > Screen Time > Communication Limits. Review and adjust the settings for who can be contacted during allowed and blocked times.
Enable “Share Across Devices” for Family Sharing by toggling on Share Across Devices in Settings > Screen Time. This applies restrictions to all devices in the Family Sharing plan.
Sign out of the Apple ID and then sign back in. Go to Settings, tap the name at the top, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. Enter the Apple ID password, choose to keep a copy of iCloud data, and tap Sign Out again. Wait 5 minutes, then return to Settings and tap Sign In. Re-enter the Apple ID and password, and any verification code.
Check Apple’s server status by visiting Apple’s System Status page. Scroll through the list to find Screen Time. If a red triangle with “Outage” is seen, the service is currently down.
As a last resort, reset all device settings by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad > Reset. Then, tap Reset All Settings. Do not select “Erase All Content and Settings.”
Regularly backing up the device to iCloud or a computer can provide peace of mind before performing major system changes.
Once Screen Time is functioning again, review the settings to ensure they align with intended usage limits. Explore features within Screen Time, such as App Limits, Content & Privacy Restrictions, and Always Allowed apps, to customize the digital well-being experience. Consider setting a Screen Time passcode to prevent unauthorized changes, and regularly update the device’s software to prevent future bugs and ensure optimal performance.
