Screen Time Not Working on iPhone/iPad | 12 Solutions

Regulating phone usage has become easier with screen time. You can monitor how much you use specific apps with the iPhone’s built-in screen time feature and restrict yourself from using them.

There have been numerous complaints about glitches with iPhone or iPad screen time. Your iPhone or iPad screen time feature should ordinarily work without a glitch. However, if your encounter iPhone screen time not working issue, this article will guide you on what to do to get it working well.

Ordinarily, screen time glitches are not a big deal. The explanation for the glitch is also not technical. Often, they are a result of syncing issues, software issues, or an outdated app. The following are some reasons why your kid’s iOS screen time is not working properly:

Low power mode is a feature that helps conserve and maximize your phone’s battery life. To achieve this, a lot of background activities, including screen time, might be suspended until you charge your iOS.

Another issue that might affect the screen time feature on your iOS is when your software is outdated. If you haven’t updated your iOS in a long while, you might experience some glitches with the screen time feature.

If the downtime feature of your iOS is not captivated, your kids might be able to access certain apps even when screen time is activated. So, your iOS downtime must be activated for the screen time limit on your iPad or iPhone to work effectively.

The screen time restriction might not get activated if your date and time are not properly activated or if your kid changes the time and date. There are instances of parents discovering their kids using their devices past the downtime.

Despite the efficiency of technology, there are still instances of technical difficulties. So, the issue with your iOS screen time might come from the Apple server. However, before coming to this conclusion, endeavor to verify other possible reasons. If others are well set, then visit Apple system status to check if the issue is from the Apple server.

Often, when your iPhone screen time is not working, you might not need a technical expert to address it. This section will teach you some of the things you can do to get your iPhone or iPad screen time working properly.

Let’s dive right in:

Once you realize that your screen time is not working, your first action to get it back on track is to visit your iOS settings. Reviewing the setting may help you discover some aspects to turn on or off. You might also have to rest the screen time to get it working again. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Go to the Settings of your iOS device.

Step 2: Click on Screen Time.

Step 3: Look through the Screen Time Settings to verify that everything is in order.

The issue with your iOS screen time might just need you to toggle the screen time switch off and on. This little refresh might help set your screen time to work well. To do this,

Step 1: Go to the Settings section of your Apple device.

Step 2: Scroll and Click on Screen Time.

Step 3: Toggle the switch to Turn It Off.

Step 4: Return to the same location to Turn It On.

For more details, you can click here about Turn Off Screen Time on iOS.

The next thing you can do is update your iPhone or iPad. If your iOS is not updated to the latest version, you might experience some glitches while using some apps or some features. The iOS beta version has been reported to experience certain glitches. So, if you are using the beta version, updating to the regular version might get your screen time and other features working properly. To do this.

Step 1: Go to your device Settings.

Step 2: Click on General.

Step 3: Click on Software Update, and it will show you if your phone needs an update.

Step 4: If it needs an update, then Click on Update to do so.

Just like most devices, restarting them might get them working properly. Depending on the iPhone or iPad you are using, you can turn off your iOS by holding down the home button or one of the volume buttons on the left and the button on the right. After a few seconds, restart it by pressing the same button. Once you have restarted your iOS, go back to the settings to activate your screen time.

Step 1: Hold down the shutdown button, which is usually the home button or side button.

Step 2: Leave it off for a few seconds

Step 3: Turn it on again and activate the screen time.

iOS screen time usually requires you to set a screen time passcode. One of the reasons your kid’s downtime or screen time limit is not working is probably because your kid has discovered the password. Activating a strong screen time passcode will prevent your kid from changing the setting and using their device beyond their screen time limit. To activate your screen time passcode,

Step 1: Visit your device Settings.

Step 2: Click on Screen Time.

Step 3: Click on the Lock Screen Time Settings.

Step 4: Activate the Screen Time Passcode.

As explained earlier, if the low-power mode is activated on your device, some apps or features might not operate in the background. Once your phone is charged, you should turn off the power saving or low power mode to ensure that your iOS screen time feature is not suspended. To turn off low power mode,

Step 1: Go to your phone Settings.

Step 2: Tap the Battery option.

Step 3: Toggle the switch to Turn Off the Low Power Mode.

Screen time and downtime are activated by scheduling date and time. If your time and date are incorrect or if the date and time have been tampered with by your kid, the screen time might not work effectively. To set the correct date and time,

Step 1: Go to your device settings.

Step 2: Click on General under your iOS setting

Step 3: Click on Date & Time

Step 4: Click on set automatically to toggle the switch on.

Another thing that might make your iOS screen time not function as it ought to is if your downtime feature is disabled. Turning off screen time might be the reason your kids still have access to the apps on their phones. To enable downtime,

Step 1: Go to the iPhone or iPad Settings.

Step 2: Click on Screen Time.

Step 3: Tap on Downtime.

Step 4: Select the Apps you want to regulate and schedule them accordingly.

Step 5: Don’t forget to toggle the Block At Downtime switch.

Sometimes, your screen time might be affected by your iCloud. If you have tried the previous options to no avail, try to sign out of your Apple account and sign in again. To do this,

Step 1: Go to the Settings of your iPad or iPhone.

Step 2: Click on your profile by tapping on your Profile Image.

Step 3: Scroll to the button and Click on Sign Out.

Step 4: Enter your Apple ID upon request.

Step 5: Turn off the Find My iPhone.

Step 6: Click on Sign Out and confirm it.

Step 7: Go back to your device Settings.

Step 8: Click on Sign-in in the profile section.

Step 9: Type in your Apple ID and Password.

Step 10: Enter your 6-digit Verification Code.

The problem with the glitch affecting your iOS screen time might not be due to your omission. It could be that Apple’s server is down. So, you will need to check to confirm if that is the case. To do this,

Step 1: Visit Apple’s System Status Website.

Step 2: Search for Screen Time by going through the list of Apple’s features.

Step 3: If it has a red triangle with an indication of “outage” beside it as opposed to a green, then that means that Screen Time is Down.

Step 4: Just hold on till it’s back on.

This is not an everyday solution. It should not be your first course of action. Once, you reset, your phone returns to its default setting. This means you would have to customize your phone afresh. To do this,

Step 1: Go to your iOS Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to the General section.

Step 3: Click on Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 4: Tap Reset.

Step 5: Click on Reset All Settings.

This is a time-consuming and drastic step. This is the last step if nothing works. Before you erase and reconfigure your iPhone or iPad, you should have your details backed up so you can always retrieve them.

To do this:

Step 1: Go to Settings and Tap on General.

Step 2: Click on Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 3: Tap on Erase All Content And Settings.

Step 4: Click on Continue after previewing all the details that will be erased.

Step 5: Input your iPhone Passcode upon request.

Step 6: Tap on Erase iPhone for confirmation of action.

Step 7: If your Find My iPhone feature is enabled, you will be requested to re-enter your iPhone ID and passcode.

Step 8: Click on Erase.

With the above 12 methods, you can check and fix screen time troubles. If you still can't use the screen time, you can use the third-party tool. If the screen time is unavailable for your kids, we suggest you use a professional parental control app. Keep reading.

Using parental apps on your iPhone or iPad to set screen limits is a better way to regulate your kid’s digital usage. Unlike most built-in screen time features that are easy for children to manipulate and bypass, some of these parental apps are not easy to manipulate.

FamiSafe is one of the most effective parental control apps that helps you achieve maximum screen time regulation for your kid. Its screen time limits your kid's screen time and monitors their activities. Moreover, it also saves your kids from digital addiction. With the help of FamiSafe, it makes your parenting a lot better.

Key Features of FamiSafe:

1. Screen Time Management: Set screen limits to help kids maintain a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
2. App Control Rules: Decide which apps your child can access and how often they can use them.
3. Explicit Content Detection: Identify indecent content with screen-viewer screenshots that trigger alerts.
4. Web Filter: Block inappropriate websites to ensure a safer online environment.
5. Activity Reports: Get detailed, timely reports on the apps your kids use and when they use them.

Step 1: Download the FamiSafe app on the Apple Store on your devices.

Step 2: Connect your kid’s device and yours on the FamiSafe app.

Step 3: Navigate to the Screen Time feature.

Step 4: Choose either Downtime or Screen Time Limit.

Step 5: If you select Downtime, which restricts overall phone usage, then Choose the Start Time and the End Time to activate it.

Step 6: For the Screen Time Limit, choose whether to customize it or if it is a default everyday limit.

Step 7: Once activated, the screen will be covered by an overlay whenever it is the scheduled Downtime or Screen Limit.

I hope this article has helped you solve your iPhone or iPad screen time not working issue. However, as a parent, I would recommend you use parental control apps such as FamiSafe in addition to the iPhone or iPad screen time for better efficiency. FamiSafe’s Screen Time feature allows you to save the day on your kid’s device if your iPhone or iPad screen time suddenly stops working.