A step-by-step guide to getting started with Screenable
Welcome! We’re glad you’re here. Let’s get you and your kiddo(s) set up on Screenable, easy peasy.
When to do it
In the ideal world, you’d set up Screenable before your kids have their own device. That way it’s all set up with the right expectations before they even get it. But no problem if you’re doing it later – we’ll give some tips on how best to communicate it to your kids, below.
Before you begin
Make sure you have your kid’s device with you. You’ll need about 15 minutes to do it all, unless you also need to create an Apple/iCloud account for your kid (optional), which takes a few minutes more.
➜ Step 1: Decide what mode you want on their device
Here are Screenable’s 4 modes (2 are available now, 2 coming soon):
Briefly, Dumb Phone mode is best for kids getting started with their first device, because it turns an iPhone into a dumb/flip phone by removing all unnecessary apps and features.
Screen Trainer mode is for iPhones or iPads, when they’re starting to independently use apps & games, to help them build healthy screen time habits while you stay in the loop with how devices are being used. Find out more about device modes.
➜ Step 2: Decide if your kids need their own Apple/iCloud account
If you’re setting up Media Player mode, your kids generally don’t need their own account, so you can just stay signed into your own account.
Otherwise, the main benefit of kids having their own account is that it makes the device more locked down, with kids not able to delete or disable Screenable. If you suspect your kids are on the more, er, wily side :), you probably should give them their own accounts. Learn more about setting up kids with their own Apple accounts.
➜ Step 3: Install the parent app, and connect a kid device
You’ll use the Screenable parent app to connect and manage all your kids’ devices, as well as control their screen time and app settings.
Install the parent app from the App Store and create your own (parent) Screenable account, which will automatically start the process of connecting a device. (Or if you’ve already created an account, you can add a new kid or device by tapping the plus button on the Home tab, as shown below.)
As part of this process, you’ll be guided to install the Screenable kid app on their iPhone or iPad. This allows Screenable to control their devices on your behalf.
➜ Step 4: Transfer control from Apple Screen Time
When you connect a kid device, you’ll be guided to transfer control from Apple Screen Time (if you use it). This is important so that settings don’t conflict – for example, any daily time limits you set up.
The basic idea is that you’ll use your own (i.e. the parent’s) device to transfer the following by turning them off in Apple Screen Time:
- Limit Usage features ⇒ ✅ transfer to Screenable's control
- Content Restrictions ⇒ ✅ transfer to Screenable's control
- Communication features ⇒ ❌ keep using Apple Screen Time (since we can’t control those…yet 🙂)
Read more about transferring control from Apple Screen Time.
➜ Step 5: Choose screen time settings
This step will be different depending on the mode you choose. You’ll be walked through each option with advice for parents, for example the screen below.
Here’s what you’ll set up:
- Dumb Phone mode
- Choose the Apple built-in apps you want to allow (the rest will disappear).
- Decide if you want to allow the camera
- Block or delete any other apps
- (By default, Dumb Phone mode removes the App Store and the Safari browser. You can change these later from the Screenable parent app.)
- Screen Trainer mode
- Choose daily limits for allotted screen time usage (or choose zero minutes for any given day)
- Decide whether to allow Overtime, and if so, how often your kids (and you) should be reminded (learn more about Overtime)
- Choose apps with no time limit, like FaceTime or audiobooks
- Decide whether to allow web/internet browsers (and adult content)
- Decide on whether to remove the App Store
- (By default, Screen Trainer allows the camera. You can change this later from the Screenable parent app.)
➜ Step 6: Start your trial (if necessary)
Dumb Phone mode is free to use – no trial or subscription necessary! Meanwhile, Screen Trainer and other modes require a trial because they send regular notifications and reports.
Pro tip: if you’ll be using Screenable for a while, go for the annual plan because you’ll save 20-25% – which means a few months free each year.
➜ Step 7: Set up any other devices
All Screenable accounts support your whole family, with unlimited kids and kid devices, so go wild! Set up Screenable on every iPhone or iPad in your home. (Pro tip: you can even set it up on your own phone if you want, for great role-modeling with the kids.)
What kids will experience
In Dumb Phone mode, it’s very straightforward. Kids will just see a device with an incredibly limited number of apps, and they won’t be able to access other apps or the App Store unless you explicitly allow it. Their screen often looks something like this:
In all other modes, kids will have access to apps that you allow. Each day, all apps (except those you’ve decided should have no time limits) will appear “locked down” as follows:
When kids tap an app to start using it, they’ll see this screen:
If they decide to go over it, it’ll unlock all apps and you’ll receive a notification that they’ve started their screen time. As they accrue usage over the course of the day, they’ll eventually receive a warning screen when their time is close to finishing. Then when it’s done, their apps will be blocked like so:
In this example, Overtime is allowed (notice the “Go over time” button) and kids will be able to self-elect to keep going, which will send you a notification each time they do (as well as at each reminder interval you’ve set) – but if you’ve turned off Overtime it will say “No overtime” instead.
Learn more about the full Screenable experience for kids.
How to talk to your kids about it
Screenable is about locking down kids' devices to the right level for their age & stage. It takes kids through a progression of four common stages, each with a separate device “mode” that parents can easily switch between. Here’s how to talk to your kids about each one.
- Media Player. This mode allows you to keep tabs family/kid devices, so that they don’t run off into kids’ rooms or get used without you knowing. It’s usually best to show your kids how it works and explain that you’ll be notified whenever they use the device. This is a good deterrent for off-limits behavior, and it’ll make sure they don’t feel spied on or surprised later on.
- Dumb Phone. This mode simply limits the apps available on a kid’s iPhone or iPad. You can explain that it’s a big responsibility to take a phone out of the home, and you want to make sure they’re proving they can handle this responsibility, including good communication etiquette (calling, texting, etc) and taking care of their own device (charging it at night, not taking it into their rooms), before giving them more freedom.
- If you know what age you’re planning to allow them to have more apps and games on it (i.e. make it a smartphone), you can tell them that in advance. For instance, in The Anxious Generation Jonathan Haidt recommends keeping kids on a dumb phone until they go to high school.
- Screen Trainer. This mode allows parents to set screen time limits and stay in the loop on how iPhones and iPads are being used. Explain to your kids that it’s incredibly important to build good habits, and that even adults (like yourself!) have a hard time staying away from their devices. You might start by not allowing Overtime, especially for younger kids, but eventually you should allow them to make their own decisions about going over their screen time, since you’ll be notified each time and can have good conversations about it – and if they continue to struggle, you can disable Overtime temporarily until they get back on track (we recommend selecting 1 week, as a general rule).
- Social Trainer. This mode is almost like an extension of Screen Trainer, specifically designed for the process of introducing social media to your kids, slowly and one app at a time. Explain to your kids that social media is a very powerful tool, and that while it has some benefits, the latest research is showing that it also can be really dangerous for kids (not to mention adults!), and since it’s your job to keep them safe, you want to stay really close to them as they start to use social media so that you’re both talking about it often, and they always feel safe to come to you with any questions.
- If you know what age you're planning to allow their first social media app, you can tell them that in advance. For instance, in The Anxious Generation Jonathan Haidt recommends age 16.