How to set up Screen Time on iPhone and iPad: downtime, app limits, communication and Ask to Buy
Set up Apple Screen Time with Family Sharing in about 25 minutes: downtime, app limits, Communication Safety and Ask to Buy.
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Verified: Last checked on 5 October 2026 against Apple Support (UK) for Screen Time and Family Sharing. Covers iPhone and iPad. Apple refreshed Screen Time for iOS 27 / iPadOS 27 — older software may show the previous menu layout. We checked Apple's written instructions, not a device.
⏱ Time: 20–30 minutes | 🔧 Difficulty: Medium
What you'll need
- Your Apple Account (family organiser or parent/guardian)
- A Child Account for your child in Family Sharing
- Your iPhone, iPad or Mac, and your child's device
- A Screen Time passcode your child doesn't know
Step-by-step
- Set up Family Sharing. On your device: Settings → Family → +, then create a Child Account or invite them. Don't share your Apple Account with your child.
[Screenshot: Family Sharing add member screen] - Turn on Screen Time. Settings → Family → [child] → Screen Time. Follow the setup and create a Screen Time passcode on your device.
[Screenshot: Screen Time passcode step] - Set Downtime and app limits. Choose school-night and weekend schedules, then set daily budgets for Games, Social Networking and Entertainment. Keep Phone and family Messages under Always Allowed.
- Lock down communication. Set Communication Limits to Contacts Only (and Specific Contacts during Downtime). Keep Communication Safety on — Apple turns it on by default for under-18s in many regions.
- Content restrictions and Ask to Buy. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, set age ratings, keep Limit Adult Websites on, and confirm Ask to Buy is enabled.
[Screenshot: Content & Privacy Restrictions] - Test it. Ask your child to open a blocked app and request an App Store download. You should get the approval prompts.
⚠️ Watch out
- Mixed iOS versions in the family group can break syncing — update every device if you can.
- The Screen Time passcode must be different from the device unlock code.
- Communication Limits don't cover WhatsApp, Snapchat, Discord or game chat.
- Ask to Buy doesn't cover gift cards or money already sitting in an app.
- If you're worried about contact from someone, block them and report to CEOP if needed.
Related guides
- Android Family Link [link to add]
- YouTube supervised accounts [link to add]
- Instagram supervision [link to add]
- WhatsApp privacy settings [link to add]
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Spotted a change? Apple updates iOS regularly. If a menu looks different, tell us your device and iOS version, and we'll re-check the guide.
Sources (checked 5 Oct 2026): Apple: Screen Time for your child · Set up Screen Time on iPhone · Family Sharing (UK)