What are device modes? Which should I choose?

Device modes are unique to Screenable. They make it easy to set up a device and quickly know how it's operating. You can always switch between modes from the parent app. (Note that modes are the main differentiator between our free versus paid plans – learn more.)

What are the modes, and what do they do?

There are 4 modes, and they're designed to take kids through each age & stage from early device usage through device independence.

Screenable device modes with recommended ages (*starred = coming soon)
  • Media Player (coming soon)
    • A personal or shared iPhone or iPad for playing music, videos, or games. Keeps parents aware of how it’s being used, while eliminating distractions.
    • Ages 5-9
  • Dumb Phone (free)
    • An iPhone with just calling, Messages, location sharing, and a few more apps you choose. A great alternative to Apple Watch or a flip phone. (Read more below.)
    • Ages 10-12
  • Screen Trainer
    • A starter iPhone or iPad for practicing healthy screen time habits with modern, trust-based parental controls. Includes notifications & reports. (Read more below.)
    • Ages 13-15
  • Social Trainer (coming soon)
    • An iPhone or iPad focused on slowly introducing kids to social media. Parents stay in the know with reports & notifications, for high-level awareness.
    • Ages 16+

Dumb Phone mode: what should I know?

Dumb phones – sometimes known as flip phones, brick phones, or feature phones – were the early cellphones/mobile phones that only supported phone calls and texting, maybe with an additional feature or two like a calculator or notepad. This is a great mode if you want to know where your kids are and communicate with them, but without opening them up to complexities of smartphones with all the apps, games, and social media. (It's why some parents opt for an Apple Watch at this stage.)

Dumb Phone comes with the following features:

  • Remove default Apple apps. You can make any Apple app disappear (like Safari, FaceTime, Camera, Photos, etc). The exceptions are Phone, Messages, and Settings, which Apple doesn't allow to be removed.
  • Block any other app. For any non-Apple apps on the device (like Netflix, Spotify, etc), you will be guided to delete them – or alternatively just block them so they can't be used.
  • Remove the App Store and prohibit any app installation. If you don't want your kid distracted by even seeing the App Store on their device, fully remove it – and also the ability to install apps in any other way.
  • Allow any other apps you want. You can allow your kid to have access to any individual apps you want, like audiobooks, music apps, etc.

While you can use a WiFi-only iPhone (or even an iPad) as a dumb phone, parents usually want their kids to be able to communicate on the go, meaning you'll need to include the phone on your family data plan. This is generally super easy to set up with your wireless carrier.

Screen Trainer mode: what should I know?

Screen Trainer is for when kids start to get more screen time and access to different apps, roughly in the middle and high-school range. It turns an iPhone or iPad into a device that trains kids in healthy screen-time habits. Similar to traditional parental controls, it sets daily time limits and schedules for appropriate screen boundaries, but the goal is to slowly grant more and more freedom to kids as they demonstrate that they can handle the responsibility, so that they're ready for device independence when the time comes.

Screen Trainer comes with the following features:

  • The usual features of screen time management. Includes daily time limits, app-specific limits, always-allowed apps, removing limits for the day, immediate lock-down, etc.
  • “Overtime.” If you enable Overtime, when kids hit their time limit they get to choose whether to go over time. If they do, they get periodic reminders while you stay aware via notifications.
  • Disallow overtime. If kids struggle to make good decisions, you can turn off overtime for any number of days, or indefinitely. It’s designed to be temporary, though, so kids can get back to practicing good habits.
  • Real-time notifications & weekly reports. Keeps you aware of your kids’ screen usage, so you can zoom out and get involved only when you need to.
  • Guided, collaborative setup. Full of advice to get you & your kids started quickly and on the same team.

How do I change a device's mode?

You'll choose a mode when you initially set up a device, but you can always change it from your kid's device settings as follows:

  1. Open the Screenable parent app.
  2. Tap a tile to go to your kid's device settings.
  3. If it's not already selected, choose the device in question from the tabs at the top.
  4. Scroll down and tap Mode & device settings.
  5. Tap on its device mode to change it. You'll be guided through the process to set up the new mode.