What are apps with no time limit? How should I think about them?

Apps with no time limit (sometimes called "always allowed" apps) will not contribute towards a kid's screen time daily limit. However, they will still count as usage during bedtime or schooltime. (Note that the Screenable app will have no time limit, as well as certain system apps and a few other exceptions.)

What are good apps to choose?

Parents commonly use this for music apps (like Spotify or Apple Music), audiobooks, and podcasts, since those are often listened to in the background while doing other things. They often also choose reading apps like Kindle, since that's often a replacement for a physical book. You might also consider educational or creative/art apps. Learn more about different types of apps in app-specific limits.

How do I add or change apps with no time limit?

  1. In the Screenable app, go to your kid's settings.
  2. Tap Apps with no time limit to change or remove the selection.
    • If the app picker doesn't show any apps, please tap "I'm not seeing apps" and use the workaround.
    • If the app picker is missing some apps that you know are on your kid's device, it's possible they have been "offloaded" and need to be tapped to be redownloaded first. (You may also need to use the workaround.)
    • If the app picker shows too many apps, note that Apple controls this and shows many apps from your whole family, not just the ones on that kid's device. It's a little confusing, but it does work.

What if there are apps with no time limit on my kid's device that I didn't choose?

There are a few reasons why this might be the case. Read about troubleshooting apps that shouldn't be available, but are.

How does it work with Apple Screen Time?

If you previously set up Apple Screen Time, there will be a few apps that are always allowed by default, and you may also have selected some more when you set it up. Those selections will override Screenable's selection, so it's best to remove them from Apple Screen Time so there's no confusion. Here's how you do that:

  1. On your (i.e. the parent's) iPhone, go to Settings > Family > Choose your kid > Screen Time.
  2. Scroll down and tap Always Allowed (under Limit Usage).
  3. Tap the red minus sign next to each app in the list. By default this includes:
    1. FaceTime
    2. Maps
    3. Messages
      • Apple will give you a warning when you try to turn this off about kids not being able to message emergency contacts, but we still recommend turning it off so you can manage it in the Screenable app. (And keep in mind kids will always have access to the Phone app.)
    4. (Note that you cannot turn off the Phone app.)

Please also make sure you have fully set up Apple Screen Time to work with Screenable.