How to Set Screen Time Limits on an iPhone for a Child or Grandchild

Use the built-in Screen Time feature to limit how long kids can use apps or browse the web — and protect them with a passcode they cannot change.

In this guide (6 steps):

1.Open Screen Time on the child's iPhone
2.Set Downtime (off hours)
3.Set App Limits
4.Create a Screen Time passcode
5.Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions
6.Manage remotely via Family Sharing

Open Screen Time on the child's iPhone

~15s

SettingsScreen TimeTurn On Screen TimeThis is My Child's iPhone.

Set Downtime (off hours)

~15s

Choose the hours when the phone is locked — for example, 9 PM to 7 AM on school nights. During Downtime, only apps you allow are accessible.

Set App Limits

~15s

Tap "App Limits" → Add Limit → choose categories like Social Networking or Games → set a daily time limit (e.g., 1 hour). The app shows a warning when they are close to the limit.

Create a Screen Time passcode

~15s

When prompted, create a 4-digit Screen Time passcode — different from the regular phone passcode. Only you should know this, so the child cannot change the settings.

Warning

Do not use a passcode the child might guess. This is the key to the whole system.

Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions

~15s

SettingsScreen TimeContent & Privacy Restrictions → turn it on → Web ContentLimit Adult Websites. You can also block the ability to install new apps or make purchases.

Manage remotely via Family Sharing

~18s

If your Apple ID and the child's are in the same Family group, go to your own SettingsScreen Time → your child's name to see usage and adjust limits from your own phone.

Quick Tip

Set up Family Sharing at Settings → your name → Family Sharing if you have not already.

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Apple's Screen Time feature lets you set daily limits on how long a child can use specific apps, block adult websites, and prevent them from downloading new apps without your permission. You can set this up on the child's iPhone or iPad, protected by a separate passcode that only you know, so they cannot change the settings themselves. This is built into all iPhones and iPads running iOS 12 or later — no extra app or purchase required.

To set up Screen Time: On the child's device, go to Settings and tap "Screen Time." Tap "Turn On Screen Time," then tap "This is My Child's iPhone." You will be prompted to set up "Downtime" (hours when the phone is locked, like bedtime) and "App Limits" (how many hours per day they can spend in categories like Social Networking, Games, or Entertainment). After setting these up, you will be asked to create a four-digit Screen Time passcode — this is different from the regular phone passcode, and it is the one only you should know.

Once Screen Time is on, you can also tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" to turn it on and block inappropriate websites, prevent purchases, and restrict certain apps. Under "Web Content," choose "Limit Adult Websites" to filter out explicit material automatically. If the child's iPhone is linked to your Apple Family Sharing group, you can manage all these settings remotely from your own phone: go to your Settings → Screen Time → your child's name, and you will see their usage reports and can adjust limits from your own device without needing to touch theirs.

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