Common Screen Time Not Working Issues in iOS 12 and How to Fix Them?

Apple added a new feature called Screen Time in iOS 12 . This feature is part of the new Digital Wellness program and it provides options like App Limits, Downtime, Always Allowed, and Content & Privacy Restrictions. Using this feature parents can set up Screen Time passcode to allow kids to use apps within a time limit. Moreover, Screen Time can be set up to get reports about child’s app and family members app usage on iOS devices.

Plus, Screen Time in iOS 12 provides statistical app usage data on smartphones. Not only this, but it also helps to limit app usage, restrict children from using an iOS device and supports in managing time efficiently. Using Screen Time in iOS 12 parents can set Screen Time limit for kids. But while using this amazing Screen Time feature on iOS 12, most users experience issues like screen time greyed out, Screen Time crashing or Screen Time not working on YouTube and others.

Hence, here in this article, we bring for you fixes for the most common iOS 12 Screen Time issues.

10 Common Screen Time issues on iPhone/iPad in iOS 12 and their Fixes

1. Screen Time doesn’t block YouTube on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12
2. Screen Time Inaccessible and Crashes in Settings on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12
3. Screen Time Greyed Out/ Not Clickable on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12
4. Screen Time not showing Kid on iPhone/iPad in iOS 12
5. Screen Time not Updating on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12
6. Screen Time Showing Incorrect Data or Not Showing Report on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12
7. Screen Time Won’t Open on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12
8. Screen Time Passcode Not Working on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12
9. Sand Timer doesn’t Disappear After Closing Screen Time on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12
10. Screen Time Limit (App Limits) not working on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12

Problem 1: Screen Time doesn’t block YouTube on iPhone/iPad in iOS 12

If Screen Time isn’t controlling YouTube on your iPhone/iPad running iOS 12 then you can try using the following workaround:

Head to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Apps.

Here, change rating to 17+, this will make YouTube disappear from your kid’s phone.

Note: Using this workaround means your child will be unable to access YouTube completely. To restrict his YouTube usage using Screen Time we’ll need to wait for an official bugfix until they can use this workaround.

Problem 2:  Screen Time Inaccessible and Crashes in Settings on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12

By heading to Settings Apple users can access Screen Time on all iOS devices. But most users running iOS 12 face problem in accessing Screen time as it is greyed out. This issue can be fixed by force restarting iOS device or by repairing iOS system.

How to force restart Apple devices running iOS 12?

To force restart iPhone 6/iPad, press and hold both Home and Power button till you see Apple logo on the screen.

To force restart iPhone 7/7 Plus, press and hold both Power (you’ll find it at the top of your device) and Volume Down button (you’ll find it on the left side of your phone) till you see Apple logo.

iPhone X/8/8 Plus, first press Volume UP key release it and press Volume Down key with side Key till you see Apple logo.

This way you’ll be able to force restart your iPhone. Now try accessing Screen Time this should work.  Your phone gets rebooted and now you can try accessing Screen Time.

Besides this, if you are facing Screen Time is not working error then you need to Set Time and Date Automatically.

For this follow the steps below:

Settings up Time and Date Automatically in iOS 12

1. Head to Settings > General > Date & Time > move the slide from left to right to enable Set Automatically.
   

Now try using Screen Time it should work perfectly fine.

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Problem 3: Screen Time Greyed Out, Doesn’t Turn On, Not Clickable iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12

If Screen Time doesn’t turn on, is greyed out or is not clickable it means you aren’t listed as a parent or guardian in the Family Sharing Plan.

Therefore, to resolve the problem you need to part of Family Sharing Plan.

How to be a part of Family Sharing Plan in Screen Time on iOS 12?

Family Sharing can be used on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 8 or later, and on Mac with OS X Yosemite and later and iTunes 12. The feature allows to add up to six family member and Screen Time can be enabled from the Screen Time section of Settings app.

To be a part of Family Sharing plan you need to be signed in with Apple ID to iCloud and iTunes.

Next head to Settings app > your name > Family Sharing.

Tap Add Family Member > and choose from either of the options Invite via iMessage or Invite in Person.

If you have a person’s email id, choose Invite in Person> enter family member’s Apple ID and follow on-screen instructions.

Once you are added as Family Member try using Screen Time. Your problem should be resolved by now.

Problem: 4 Screen Time not showing Kid on iPhone/iPad in iOS 12

If you are unable to see your kid in Screen time, you need to check if you are added under Family Sharing Plan. If not, you need to add yourself as Family Member.

To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Launch Settings > Profile Name > Family Sharing > Add Family Member.

If “Add Family Member” option is greyed out, you are not the Family Organizer. To be added as the Family Member you need to receive an invite from the Organizer. Once you receive it you will be added and Family Member and can see Kid’s name in Screen Time.

Note: If this doesn’t work you need to enable Parent/Guardian/Adult approvals for anyone listed as a parent or guardian.

How to enable Parent/Guardian/Adult approvals in Screen Time

To enable Parent/Guardian/Adult approval in iOS 12 follow the steps below:

1. Head to Settings > Profile Name > Family Sharing.
2. Select person listed as parent, guardian, or adult.
3. Tap Parent/Guardian to enable it.

Enabling this feature means you’ll now to be able to approve requests received from anyone listed as a child in your Family Sharing account.

Problem: 5 -Screen Time not Updating on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12

To fix Screen Time not updating on iOS 12 you need to follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Head to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Now disable Screen Time by tapping on Turn off Screen Time option.
   
3. Next, enable Screen Time by tapping on Turn on Screen Time.
   
   

Once you re-enable Screen Time on iOS 12 you’ll be able to see update information in Screen Time.

Problem:6 – Screen Time Showing Incorrect Data or Not Showing Report on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12

After enabling Screen Time on your iPhone/iPad if you’re unable to see Screen Time report you need to follow following steps to fix the issue:

1. Head to Settings > Screen Time > Clear Usage Data. To clear data, you need to enter Screen Time passcode when prompted.
   

Once you do so Screen Time not showing report or recoding data will start working.

Problem:7 -Screen Time Won’t Open on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12

If you are unable to access Screen Time on iPhone/iPad follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Force restart your iOS device using the steps mentioned in Problem 2.
2. Next head to Settings > Screen time. Here disable and enable Screen Time.
3. Now try to use Screen Time it should work.

Problem: 8 – Screen Time Passcode Not Working on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12

If you are facing the problem with Screen Time passcode as you have forgotten it, the only option you have is to reset your phone.

Note: Resetting the phone will solve the problem but your entire data will be deleted from iPhone. Therefore, before resetting your iPhone make sure you have the data backup.

How to reset iPhone running iOS 12

To reset iPhone running iOS 12 follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Head to Settings > General > Reset.
2. Next tap Reset All Settings and Erase All Content and Settings.
   

This will resolve the passcode problem you are facing with Screen Time.

Problem:9 – Sand Timer doesn’t Disappear After Closing Screen Time on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12

In a situation when even after closing Screen Time on iOS device running iOS 12 the Sand Timer won’t disappear follow the steps mentioned below to solve the problem:

1. Head to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.
   
2. Select the application for which you want to delete limit and tap on Delete Limit.

Now check Sand Timer will disappear.

Problem: 10 – Screen Time Limit (App Limits) not working on iPhone/ iPad in iOS 12

To resolve App Limits not working on iOS 12, you need to check if “Block at End of Limit” is enabled or not. If not, you need to move the slider from left right to enable the option.

Note: When Block at End of Limit is not enabled, your kid will only receive the message, You’ve reached your limit on <App Name>. This means your child can ignore the message by tapping on Ignore Limit for Today and can continue using the App. To block app usage after the limit is reached Block at End of Limit, option needs to be enabled.

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Conclusion

Screen Time feature is just one of the functionalities added by Apple to iOS 12. Using the fixes, explained above we hope you’ll be able to solve most common issues faced in using Screen Time. However, if you continue to face any issues, feel free to leave us a comment. We’ll try to help you with any problem you come across in using any of the iOS 12 features.