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SPECIFICTION
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Apple Screen Time

apple.com

Free plan macOSiOS
Visit apple.com
Spec score 8.4 #22 of 107 in Parental control apps

What it is

Apple Screen Time is a free parental control feature for managing a child's device use on iOS and macOS. Parents can set Downtime to block apps and notifications at selected times, limit time on apps, websites, or categories, and choose app availability schedules for weekdays and weekends. Daily Time Allowances cover categories such as entertainment, games, and social media, with age-tailored guidance. Web controls let parents allow or block specific sites and apps, and Ask to Browse supports website approval requests. Parents can manage a child's contacts in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, including requiring approval for new contacts. Content settings include age ratings and controls over changes to location and Bluetooth sharing. Communication Safety blurs detected nudity in shared photos and videos in supported apps and offers children a way to get help. Managing a child's controls through a family group requires Family Sharing and an Apple Account for each member. Redesigned parental controls require version 27 or later across the family group; some controls are available on watchOS 27.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Screen Time lets parents see how much time their child spends on devices and manage their device use.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apple.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · apple.com
Integrations
Screen Time is managed alongside Family Sharing, and Apple describes Ask to Buy as a related parental control for purchase requests.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apple.com
Activity reports
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · apple.com
App blocking
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · apple.com
Communication controls
Parents can manage who a child communicates with in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone and require approval before new contacts can connect.Read 5 Oct 2026 · support.apple.com
Content filtering
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · apple.com
Content restrictions
Parents can set age ratings for content and control changes to device settings such as location sharing and Bluetooth sharing.Read 5 Oct 2026 · support.apple.com
Device compatibility
The redesigned parental controls require version 27 or later across the family group; some controls are available on watchOS 27.Read 5 Oct 2026 · support.apple.com
Downtime and limits
Downtime can block apps and notifications at set times, and App Limits can restrict time on websites, apps, or app categories.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apple.com
Family privacy
Family members use individual Apple Accounts, and the family organizer controls which purchases, files, and other data are shared.Read 5 Oct 2026 · apple.com
Location tracking
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · apple.com
Privacy and encryption
Apple says usage data and configuration shared between parent and child devices use end-to-end encryption and are not readable by Apple.Read 5 Oct 2026 · help.apple.com
Safety feature
Communication Safety blurs detected nudity in shared photos and videos in supported apps and offers children a way to get help.Read 5 Oct 2026 · support.apple.com
Schedules
Parents can choose which apps are available at different times, with separate routines for weekdays and weekends.Read 5 Oct 2026 · support.apple.com
Screen-time schedules
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · apple.com
Setup requirement
Managing a child's Screen Time through a family group requires Family Sharing and each family member to have their own Apple Account.Read 5 Oct 2026 · support.apple.com
Time allowances
Time Allowances set daily budgets across app categories such as entertainment, games, and social media, with age-tailored guidance.Read 5 Oct 2026 · support.apple.com
Web controls
Parents can allow or block specific apps and websites and use Ask to Browse for website approval requests.Read 5 Oct 2026 · support.apple.com

Plans and prices

Screen Time Free Built-in feature for Apple devices · Requires Family Sharing and individual Apple Accounts to manage a child’s controls across a family group Read 5 Oct 2026 · support.apple.com

Every Apple Screen Time plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Downtime can block apps and notifications at set times
  • Time Allowances set daily budgets by app category
  • Parents can control websites and app availability
  • Contact controls cover Messages, FaceTime, and Phone
  • Usage data and configuration use end-to-end encryption, Apple says

Limits

  • Family-group management requires Family Sharing and individual Apple Accounts
  • Redesigned controls require version 27 or later across the family group

Who it suits

Screen Time suits parents who want schedules, time budgets, web controls, contact approvals, and content restrictions for a child's Apple devices. Family-group management requires Family Sharing and individual Apple Accounts.

Verdict

Screen Time combines scheduling, usage limits, communication controls, and content settings in a free feature for iOS and macOS. Check the family-group setup and version requirements before relying on the redesigned controls.

Where Specifiction places it

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