How to Set Screen Time Limits on Your Child's iPhone
Apple's built-in Screen Time lets you set daily limits and quiet hours for your child. Here is how to turn it on in four steps, and what to set first.
Set up Family Sharing, turn on Screen Time for your child, add a passcode they don't know, then choose Downtime and App Limits. It takes about 10 minutes and it's free.
Set it up in 4 steps
Set up Family Sharing
On your iPhone open Settings, tap your name, then Family Sharing. Add your child, or create a child account if they don’t have one.
Turn on Screen Time for your child
Open Settings, then Screen Time, and choose your child under Family. Tap Turn On Screen Time.
Create a Screen Time passcode
Choose a passcode your child doesn’t know. Without it, they can change the limits themselves.
Choose your limits
Pick Downtime, App Limits and Content & Privacy Restrictions from the list below.
What to set first
Downtime
A schedule, such as bedtime to morning, when only allowed apps and calls work.
App Limits
A daily time allowance for categories like Games or Social, or for single apps.
Always Allowed
Apps that should still work during downtime, such as Phone and Messages.
Content & Privacy
Block explicit content, restrict purchases and control which apps can be installed.
Where Apple Screen Time falls short
- Free and built into iPhone
- Works with Family Sharing
- Good basic limits and content restrictions
- Only works on Apple devices
- Children often ask for "one more minute" repeatedly, so check that requests are easy for you to handle
- No location or alerts beyond Apple’s own features
If your family uses both iPhone and Android, a cross-platform app lets you manage every device in one place. See also our guide to Android app blocking and the recommended screen time by age.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apple Screen Time free?
Yes. Screen Time is built into iPhone and iPad at no cost. Managing a child's settings from your own phone uses Family Sharing.
Can my child turn off Screen Time?
Not without the Screen Time passcode, so choose one your child can't guess and don't share it.
Does Screen Time work on Android?
No. It only works on Apple devices. Families with both iPhone and Android need a cross-platform app or a separate tool for each.
Parental control tools assist parents and are not a substitute for talking with your child and supervising their device use. KidShield Family is not affiliated with Apple, Google or any other company named here; product names are trademarks of their owners.
Want one app for both iPhone and Android?
KidShield Family gives you screen time limits, app blocking and a location view for each child from a single parent app. Your first 7 days are free with no card, then start a 14-day free trial.
App Store Google PlayParental control tools assist parents and are not a substitute for talking with your child and supervising their device use.