3 Ways to Limit Screen Time on iPhone [Full Guide]

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Sarahi Johns
Last updated: Apr 20, 2023

This post will introduce 3 ways to limit screen time on iPhone - via Screen Time, Guide Access, and screen time limit apps. All of them enable you to manage and limit your screen time easily. Read on for more detailed information.

Nowadays, mobile phones have become a necessity in people’s lives. It's hard to imagine what our life will be like without our phones.

However, as we all know, long-time looking at your iPhone is responsible for myopia and an unhealthy body.

Limiting screen time is a great way to help you focus on your study or work. It is important for you and for managing your child's healthy use of a mobile phone.

Limit Screen Time on iPhone

Limit Screen Time on iPhone via Screen Time

Screen Time

Available in iOS 12 and later

The easiest way to limit screen time on iPhone is to use Apple's built-in Screen Time feature. It allows you to check your screen time stats. Daily average and See All Activities are available for you. You can limit screen time directly via Settings without downloading any software.

With many of the personalizations adjustable, it‘s flexible to design a unique screen time plan that suits you. This feature provides you with two options - set up screen time for yourself or for your child.

And here is how to set screen time limits on iPhone:

  1. Enable Screen Time

In the case that you never use Screen Time before, you should enable Screen Time first.

  1. Set Screen Time Passcode
Set a Screen Time Passcode

After you enable Screen Time, it will ask you to set a 4-digit screen time passcode. It is set to better manage your screen time. Also, if you want to allow for more time when the limit expires, or you want to change/turn off the screen time passcode, this passcode is a must.

Note
When setting your screen time passcode, you may receive a pop-up asking you to enter your Apple ID for recovery use in case you forget it in the future. You can also skip. Just follow the on-screen prompts.
Screen Time Passcode Recovery
  1. Customize Your Screen Time for Your Preferences

Now, it’s time for customizing your own screen time plan according to your preferences. iPhone gives you full freedom to limit screen time. Customizing the following features one by one.

  • Customize Downtime
Set Screen Time Downtime

Downtime is fully customizable. Just set the From time and To time under the Downtime Option. Check Everyday for the case that you want to set the same screen time routine. Check Customize Days for the case that you want to set different screen times for each day. Customizing the screen time limit from Monday to Sunday is achievable.

  • Customize App Limits

Set a time limit for apps. Reasonable app time allocation is great for your study and work. And it prevents you from addicting to one app effectively. Tap Add Limit>Check the apps you want to limit> Set a time limit.

  • Customize Always Allowed

Choose apps to allow at all times. Always allow apps are available during downtime. So choose apps you need for study or work.

  • Customize Content & Privacy Restrictions

Content & Privacy Restrictions allow you to block inappropriate content. Just customize according to your needs and for your preferences.

Features:

  1. Share Across Devices
Share Across Devices

Screen Time allows you to share your screen time data with multiple iOS devices. The screen time data can be fetched in any iOS devices that signed in with the same iCloud account as your iPhone. Just turn on Share Across Devices. In the latest iOS version, enabling this feature requires you to enter your screen time passcode.

  1. Communication Limits

In the latest iOS version, there is one more feature named Communication Limits. You can limit the time for phone calls and the people who can contact you during the screen time limit or downtime.

  1. Ask for More Time

There is a 5-minutes time check alert before you are blocked from using most of the apps. And when you reached the time limit, you can ask for more time. Tap One More Minute or have an additional period of time by entering your screen time passcode.

Limit Screen Time on iPhone via Guide Access

Guide Access is another built-in feature of Apple. It limits your iPhone to a single app. Controling which feature to be available is allowed. So you can enable Guide Access, and then set a time limit. This is super convenient if you leave your iPhone to your kid.

And here is how to enable Guide Access:

  1. Open Settings and tap Accessibility.
  2. Scroll down and tap Guide Access.
  3. Turn on the Guide Accesss feature.
    Turn On Guide Access Feature
  4. Tap Passcode SettingsSet Guide Access PasscodeRe-enter Your Passcode.
  5. To start Guide Access, triple-click the Home button in the app you want to use( iPhone 8 and eariler)/Side button(iPhone X or later).

Limit Screen Time via iPhone Time Limit Apps

Besides Screen Time and Guide Access, limiting screen time by using iPhone screen time limit apps is also an effective method. Those apps contain what Screen Time offers. What’s more, professional third-party software may offer you more surprising features. Such as flexible rules setting, remote management, pick-me-up alert, etc. When choosing one, remember to take the references below into consideration. For example:

  • Price
  • Functions
  • Monitor capability
  • Comprehensiveness of the screen time analysis
  • User-friendliness
  • Proficiency
  • Rating

How to Remove Screen Time Passcode if You Forgot It

With time, it’s reasonable to forget your screen time passcode. And once you forgot it, you may unable to access to your iPhone as normal. In this case, here we recommend you a professional and easy-to-use screen time passcode unlocker - BuhoUnlocker.

And here is how to remove screen time passcode with BuhoUnlocker:

Free DownloadRuns on Windows & Mac
Security Verified & 100% Safe
  1. Free download, install, and launch BuhoUnlocker.
  2. Click Remove Screen Time PasscodeStart.
    Remove Screen Time Passcode
  3. Connect your iPhone to your computer and put your iPhone into recovery mode with the on-screen tutorial.
  4. Download the firmware>Click Start Unlock.
  5. Wait for the unlock process to be completed. Once complete, set up your iPhone.
Note
This will erase all your data. So before removing the screen time passcode, you are supposed to back up important files on your iPhone. After removing the screen time passcode, you can restore your backup from iCloud, etc.

Conclusion

In this post, 3 practical methods to limit screen time are introduced in detail. In addition, a screen time passcode unlock method is also prepared for you. Set up screen time limits now to develop healthy habits.

Sarahi Johns

Content-making editor, with sharp eyes on macOS and iOS updates, sharing the latest related issues.