Set schedules with Screen Time on iPhone

Screen Time helps you manage when and how you use iPhone. You can create schedules and set limits that work best for you. Here are some ways you can customize your Screen Time schedule:

Schedule downtime: Take regular breaks from your screen by setting specific times when most apps are unavailable—like during dinner or bedtime.
Set limits for app use: Control how much time you spend in apps by setting daily time limits.
Allow certain apps and contacts: Select apps and contacts that stay available during downtime and after you reach time limits.

You can Block apps during scheduled Downtime so that limits can’t be ignored once they’re reached.

Schedule time away from the screen

Block apps and notifications for periods when you want time away from your devices. During downtime, only calls, messages, and apps you choose to allow are available. To learn how to allow certain apps and contacts, see Allow or block calls and messages from specific contacts and Choose apps and contacts to allow at all times.

Note: By default, Screen Time limits can be ignored once reached. To learn how to prevent limits from being ignored, see Block apps during scheduled Downtime.

Go to Settings 👁 Image
app on your iPhone.
Tap Screen Time.
If you want to turn on Downtime for your child, tap your child's name.
Tap App & Website Activity, then turn on App & Website Activity if you haven't already.
Tap Downtime, then do one of the following:
- Tap Turn On Downtime Until Tomorrow.
- Tap Scheduled to schedule downtime in advance.
When you schedule downtime, a 5-minute reminder is sent before downtime begins. You can ignore the reminder, or turn on downtime until the beginning of the scheduled downtime.
Select Every Day or Customize Days, then set the start and end times.
Note: When you select Customize Days, you can set schedules for different days of the week—like weekends.

You can turn off the Downtime schedule at any time by turning off Scheduled.

Block apps during scheduled Downtime

If you set a Screen Time passcode for yourself or your child, you can choose whether apps are completely blocked or just dimmed during downtime.

Go to the Settings 👁 Image
app on your iPhone.
Tap Screen Time.
If you want to turn on this feature for your child, tap your child's name.
Tap Downtime, then turn on Block at Downtime.

When Block at Downtime is turned on, restricted apps can't be opened during downtime—they appear dimmed with an hourglass icon. When Block at Downtime is off, you see a reminder that it's downtime, but you can choose to continue using the apps.

Set limits for app use

Set a time limit for a category of apps (for example, Games or Social Networking) and for individual apps.

Go to the Settings 👁 Image
app on your iPhone.
Tap Screen Time.
If you want to set app limits for your child, tap your child's name.
Tap App Limits, then tap Add Limit.
Select one or more app categories.
To set limits for individual apps, tap the category name to see all the apps in that category, then select the apps you want to limit. If you select multiple categories or apps, the time limit you set applies to all of them.
Tap Next at the top right, then set the amount of time allowed.
To set an amount of time for each day, tap Customize Days, then set limits for specific days.
When you finish setting limits, tap 👁 the Done button
.

Choose apps and contacts to allow at all times

Specify apps that can be used and contacts you can communicate with at all times (for example, in the event of an emergency), even during downtime.

Go to the Settings 👁 Image
app on your iPhone.
Tap Screen Time.
If you want to turn this feature on for your child, tap your child's name.
Tap Always Allowed.
To specify contacts you want to allow communication with, tap Contacts.
The option you selected in communication limits appears here. You can change this setting to Specific Contacts, then choose one of the following:
- Choose From My Contacts: To select specific people to allow communication with.
- Add New Contact: To add a new contact and allow communication with that person.
Tap 👁 the Back button
at the top left, then tap 👁 the Remove button
below Allowed Apps or 👁 the Insert button
below Choose Apps.
Tap 👁 the Back button
at the top left.

URL: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-schedules-with-screen-time-iphb0c7313c9/ios