Screen time configuration on the iPhone: time out, limits & restrictions

With the iOS option "Screen Time" on the Apple iPhone you can not only check how often and for how long you have used the smartphone in the past. You can also use the settings time-out, App limits, Communication limits, Always allow… and restrictions determine certain parameters for future use. Setting up the iPhone screen time is not difficult at all - here you will find the instructions for your individual use.

What is Screen Time on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch?

On the Apple iPhone as well as on the Apple iPad or Apple iPod touch, the so-called "screen time" provides an insight into your own usage behavior. The option is also already available on the Apple Mac under macOS. It's very useful if you want to monitor which apps or websites you spend or waste the most time on. You can find the respective data on the mobile devices mentioned under Settings -> Screen time see. If you find that you need to regulate your smartphone use, the following explanations and instructions for setting up restrictions will help you.

Set Time Out - Guide to Less iPhone Screen Time

The "time out" here means that apps and messages are blocked for a period of time that you specify. Whether in the morning at breakfast, during the lunch break or at the end of the day - you can think of an example period in which you do not want to be disturbed. Maybe also the time when you put your children to bed. To set up a break for this and for other periods of time, proceed as follows:

1. Opens the iPhoneSettings and tap on it Screen time
2. If not already done: Open Enable screen time -> Continue -> My iphone tippen
3. buy Time out (plan screen-free time) tap 
4. The option time-out activate with the virtual slider
5. Now Daily or Customize days Select and set the time periods

Set a time out in the screen time option of the iOS settings - Here's how!

Set up app limits on the iPhone - with these instructions

Whether individual apps, all apps or entire categories such as "games", "entertainment" and "social media" - you can set a time limit for use. This is also possible for apps from the areas of “reading and looking up” or “productivity” so that you don't read and / or work too much on the smartphone display. And this is how you proceed to set the app limits:

1. Opens the iPhoneSettings and tap on it Screen time
2. If not already done: Open Enable screen time -> Continue -> My iphone tippen
3. buy App limits (set time limits for apps) tap
4. Then on Add limit tippen
5. Select categories, all apps, individual apps or websites (checkmark)
6. Top right on Continue tippen
7. Define a permitted period of time per day and, if necessary, below it via Customize days Set longer or shorter periods for individual days
8. Top right on Add tippen
9. In the following overview for further app limits Add limit tap and repeat the last steps
10. Ready

Set app limits in the iPhone screen time settings - Here's how!

Set iPhone Communication Limits - Screen Time Guide

Whether certain contacts or all contacts in a certain time - from iOS 13.3 and iPadOS 13.3, incoming contacts can also be blocked on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The communication limits can be set for calls, FaceTime, messages and the like. And so is the procedure for it:

1. Opens the iPhoneSettings and tap on it Screen time
2. If not already done: Open Enable screen time -> Continue -> My iphone tippen
3. buy Communication limits (configure limits based on your contacts) tap
4. Then off During screen time or During the break choose
5. Then under the respective points the Permitted communication establish

Set up communication limits on the Apple iPhone - Here's how!

Always allow ... - All-round exceptions for individual apps

Some apps probably need to be able to get through to you during the selected time-out. For example, emergency calls or important data from contacts can come in via phone call, FaceTime, Messenger or the like. Or you manage social media channels and therefore always have to stay up to date on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For this and other exceptions you proceed as follows:

1. Opens the iPhoneSettings and tap on it Screen time
2. If not already done: Open Enable screen time -> Continue -> My iphone tippen
3. buy Always allow ... (Choose apps that are always allowed) Tap and use "+" or "-" to add or remove apps from the list

Some apps have to be allowed to interact even during the time-out and therefore always - that's how it works!

Set restrictions - block content on iPhone

Whether purchases in the iTunes & App Store, certain content in apps or websites, details of data protection (location services, contacts, calendar, etc.), changes (account and code, maximum volume, etc.) or other things - you can do a lot for more security To block. This can be good not only on your own cell phone, but also with the children. If your children are not allowed to use certain things, you proceed as follows:

1. Opens the iPhoneSettings and tap on it Screen time
2. If not already done: Open Enable screen time -> Continue -> My iphone tippen
3. buy Restrictions (block inappropriate content) tap
4. With the virtual switch the Enable restrictions
5. Then select and change the individual settings in the list

Set up iPhone screen time restrictions for controlled access to content - Here's how!

Tip: If you set up the restrictions for your children, sooner or later they will surely change them. Because children who grow up with the Internet know how to help each other. Therefore, you can set a code that must be entered to change the restrictions. You come to the code option Settings -> Screen time -> Use screen time code.

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He appears as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with problems of a technical nature. In his free time he drives electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with his iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions for current bugs.