Here's the catch: You can only limit apps by categories. This means you have to set limits for all the apps that Apple categorizes as “Social Networking” apps, not just the one you spend too much time on. The logic can sometimes be perplexing. The "Social Networking" category, for example, includes Instagram and Facebook—but also WhatsApp. It’s also frustrating that you can’t tap the category to expand a full list of apps that are included in it.
You can bypass the app timers once you’ve added them. When the notification pops up to say you've reached your limit, you can select "Ignore Limit." You can choose to be reminded to get off the app in 15 minutes, or ignore the limit for the whole day.
If you want to set time limits for just a few specific apps, go to your Screen Time report, tap the bar graph, then scroll down to see your “Most Used” apps. Select the addictive app in question, scroll down, and select “Add Limit.” This allows you to limit specific apps without affecting the other apps in the same category. It takes more time, but we think it's worth it to differentiate the Diabolical Time Sucks from the Moderately Dangerous Brain Junk.
Designate Peace and Quiet
A feature called Downtime lets you mute most of your phone's notifications during specific times. By default, Apple turns on Downtime from 10 pm to 7 am. Only phone calls and apps you've designated as "Always Allowed" will show up on your screen.
To set your “Always Allowed” apps, navigate to Screen Time > Always Allowed and select the apps that are excluded from Downtime and App Limits. These might include benign or necessary apps, like Maps or Messages.
Screen Time also syncs with Bedtime, which can be set in the native Clock app. During Bedtime, all of your apps (except for your Always Allowed) will be muted while your notifications go straight to your notifications center. That means you won’t see anything on your lock screen until you wake up—even if you pick up your phone to check the time in the middle of the night. Brilliant.
Protect Your Time
If you really want to restrain yourself, you can also set a passcode to lock your Screen Time settings. Any time you try to change the settings, or get more time on apps past the limit, you’ll have to enter the passcode.
To set one, scroll down from Screen Time, select “Use Screen Time Passcode,” and enter a 4-digit passcode. You’ll be prompted to enter the passcode if you try to turn off Screen Time, or go into an app past the time limit. Once you’ve entered a passcode, you have the option of turning on “Block at End of Limit,” which will automatically block the app or apps when the time limit is reached.
If you’re setting the passcode on your own device, the prompt to enter the passcode might delay you enough to rethink your impulse. If you’re one of those hard-core people who uses SelfControl (you know who you are), you might ask a trusted friend to set the passcode and withhold it no matter how much you beg.
Parenting With Screen Time
Apple
Chances are, if you are a parent of a child with their own device, you’ve probably negotiated screen time limits for a while. Parents can now configure Screen Time on their children’s devices, either from their child’s device, or remotely.
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