How do I authorize screen time access on my kid's device? What if I have problems?

For Screenable to work, you must allow screen time access on each of your kid's devices that you want to track. This tells Apple to allow Screenable to see the device's screen time usage, block apps or websites, and set certain settings.

How do I grant screen time access?

1. Just start the process of adding a kid's device.
2. As part of the process, you'll need to decide whether the device should be signed into your kid's own Apple account, or just continue using yours (or another parent's). Here's our guidance.
3. If you have issues, troubleshoot below.

What are common problems during authorization – and how can I troubleshoot them?

1. "Unknown error"
   • If you are receiving this error when you try to authorize, it means Apple told us there was error but didn't clarify the problem.
   • We generally find it has to do with the Apple ID (iCloud account) that's signed into the kid device at time of setting up Screenable. Two things have sometimes worked in the past: signing into a different Apple account in the device's settings, or alternatively, fully erasing the device and starting over. Sorry that we're unable to give more specific directions!
2. You don't know your own (i.e. the parent's) Apple ID or password.
   • If you choose to sign the device into a kid's Apple account (our recommendation in most cases), then at the end of the Screenable setup flow you will need to know your own (i.e. the parent's) Apple account email & password. This is a strange and frustrating requirement from Apple.
   • If you don't know it, you have two options:
     • Start the process of setting up Screenable, and when asked for your own Apple account information, press Cancel. Then you'll be given the option of approving access without signing in – but note that this has the same downsides as not using a kid's Apple account (more info).
     • Sign the device into your own Apple account before setting up Screenable, with plans to change it later.
3. The device is not online.
   • Make sure it hasn't somehow lost internet access during the setup process.
4. The device is not passcode-protected.
   • Apple requires this to authorize screen time access. Find out how to set a passcode.
5. The device's screen time is being managed by another app.
   • Unfortunately, only one app can manage screen time at a time. Find out how to disable the other screen time app.
6. The device is being managed by MDM (mobile device management), possibly from a parental control app or an enterprise/school.
   • Unfortunately, MDM takes precedent and does not allow other apps to manage screen time. Find out how to remove the MDM profile.

If it's something else you can't figure out, or you're hitting a different error, please contact us!