iPad User Guide

Respond to a child’s Screen Time request on iPad

Screen Time helps parents manage the time their kids spend on devices, which apps they use, and the people they can communicate with. And it allows them to make requests when they’ve reached a limit you set. For example:

  • If you turned on Downtime or App Limits, they can ask you to allow more time after they reach a time limit.

  • If you set their Communication Limits so they can only communicate with people in their contacts list, they can ask to add a new contact to the list.

    Note: If an app has adopted the necessary technical requirements, your child may be able to ask to communicate with people in an app.

Your child can also make other requests outside of Screen Time. If you set up Ask to Buy, your child can request permission to download an app, redownload a shared app, or purchase an item from the App Store, iTunes Store, or Apple Books. They can also ask for an exception to purchase or download an app that’s above their current age rating. To set up Ask to Buy or to handle these requests, see Turn on Ask to Buy for a child and Respond to a child’s exception request.

👁 The screen for a child in a Family Sharing group, showing a section for Ask For More Time Requests.

Respond to a child’s Screen Time request directly on their device

  1. On the child’s device, open the relevant app, then click or tap an option to initiate the request. (For example, click or tap Ask for More Time.)

  2. Click or tap Enter Screen Time Passcode, then enter the Screen Time passcode.

  3. Click or tap an option to Approve or Deny.

Respond to a child’s Screen Time request on your iPad

You can approve a child’s request—like a request for more time on an app—on your iPad.

  1. Go to the Settings app 👁 Image
     on your iPad.

  2. Tap Screen Time, then select the name of your family member. (You may need to scroll down.)

  3. If your child has made a request, a list of apps will appear. Tap the app under the child’s requests, then enter the Screen Time passcode.

  4. Depending on the request, do one of the following:

    • Approve for 15 minutes: Tap Approve for 15 minutes.

    • Approve for 1 hour: Tap Approve for an hour.

    • Approve for the rest of the day: Tap Approve all day.

    • Approve the request: Tap Approve Request.

    • Deny the request: Tap Don’t Approve.

You can also approve or deny requests directly from notifications and Messages. In the notification or message, click Approve or Deny (or click the Options pop-up menu to choose an option).

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