How much time do you spend on your iPhone every day? For many people the answer is shockingly high. Apple's Screen Time feature gives you insight into your phone use and helps you set boundaries. Whether you want to cut back on your own use or manage your children's screen use, Screen Time offers the tools you need.

What is Screen Time?

Screen Time is a built-in feature on iPhone, iPad and Mac that gives detailed information about how you use your devices. It shows which apps you use most, how often you pick up your phone, how many notifications you receive, and much more.

Besides insight, Screen Time also lets you set limits. You can set daily time limits for apps or categories, schedule periods of downtime, and restrict certain content or features.

Turning on Screen Time

To use Screen Time, you first need to turn the feature on. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time. Tap Turn On Screen Time. You can choose whether this is your own iPhone or a child's iPhone. For your own phone, tap This is My iPhone.

Once it is turned on, your iPhone immediately starts collecting usage data. After a day of use you will already have interesting insights into your phone habits.

Viewing your screen time

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time to view your statistics. You immediately see an overview of your average daily screen time this week. Tap See All App & Website Activity for detailed information.

Daily and weekly overview

In the activity overview you can switch between the Day and Week views. The day view shows, hour by hour, when you used your phone. The week view shows trends over the past seven days.

Most used apps

Scroll down to see which apps you have used most. You see the exact time per app and can tap an app for even more details, including how many notifications that app has sent.

Pickups and notifications

Screen Time also shows how often you picked up your phone and which app you usually open first. The number of notifications received per app is tracked as well. This information helps you recognize patterns in your phone habits.

Setting app limits

One of the most powerful features is setting time limits for apps. Go to Screen Time and tap App Limits. Tap Add Limit. You can set limits for individual apps or for entire categories such as Social or Games.

Select the apps or categories and tap Next. Set the daily time limit, for example 1 hour for social media. You can also select custom days if you want a different limit on weekdays than on weekends.

When you reach the limit, the app is blocked. You then see a screen telling you that the time limit has been reached. You can choose to add one more minute or to ignore the limit for today, but this requires a deliberate action.

Setting up Downtime

Downtime is a period during which only certain apps and phone calls are available. This is ideal for the evening hours or while you sleep. Go to Screen Time and tap Downtime.

Turn on Downtime and set the start and end time. You can choose the same times every day or custom times per day. During downtime, only apps you have marked as Always Allowed are available.

Always Allowed apps

Some apps you always want to be able to use, regardless of limits or downtime. Go to Screen Time and tap Always Allowed. Here you can add apps that should always be available, such as Phone, Messages or Maps.

By default, Phone, Messages, FaceTime and Maps are always allowed. Add other essential apps as needed, but be selective to keep your limits effective.

Content and privacy restrictions

Screen Time also includes extensive options for content and privacy restrictions. This is especially useful for children's devices, but it can also be handy for restricting yourself. Go to Screen Time and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Here you can set, among other things, which apps may be installed, age restrictions for movies and music, and which changes to settings are allowed.

Screen Time passcode

To keep you or your children from easily getting around the limits, you can set a Screen Time passcode. Go to Screen Time and tap Use Screen Time Passcode. Choose a four-digit code that differs from your normal passcode.

This code protects all Screen Time settings. You need the code to change or ignore limits.

Screen Time for children

Screen Time is especially powerful for managing children's devices. With Family Sharing you can view and manage your children's Screen Time from your own device.

Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and then Family Sharing. Tap Screen Time to set up Screen Time for a child in your family. You can configure all of the features discussed above for their device and receive weekly reports on their usage.

Tips for effective use

Start by just observing. Look at your usage patterns for a week before you set limits. This gives you realistic expectations. Start with generous limits and tighten them gradually. Suddenly strict limits often lead to frustration and giving up.

Combine Screen Time with Focus mode for the best digital balance. Use downtime consistently and make it a habit. Review your settings monthly and adjust where needed.

Conclusion

Screen Time is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to use technology more mindfully. By gaining insight into your use and setting boundaries, you can get more control over your digital habits. Start today by looking at your screen time and discover where you can make improvements.

Frequently asked questions

Can I view my child's screen time remotely?

Yes, with Family Sharing you can view and manage your children's Screen Time from your own iPhone. You can set limits and receive weekly reports on their app usage.

What happens when I reach my app limit?

The app is blocked and you see a screen telling you that your time limit has been reached. You can choose to add one more minute or to ignore the limit for that day.

Does Screen Time count when my screen is off?

No, Screen Time only measures the time you actively use your screen. Background activity such as streaming music with the screen off is not counted as screen time.

Can I also use Screen Time on my Mac?

Yes, Screen Time is available on Mac with macOS Catalina or later. Your settings can be synced across all your Apple devices for consistent limits.

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