Screen Time Not Working? 12 Ways to Fix iPhone & Android Screen Time Issues

Elsa Updated on Jul 13, 2026 Filed to: Parent Control

Is your child's Screen Time not updating, or are apps still available after reaching the limit? This issue can happen on both iPhone and Android devices due to sync problems, incorrect settings, permission issues, or software bugs.

Why Is My Screen Time Not Working?

Before changing settings, it's important to identify what is causing Screen Time to fail. Most problems come from one of the following areas:

Cause	Example
Device sync issue	Child's device isn't syncing with parent's device
Screen Time settings changed	App Limits or Downtime disabled
Internet connection issue	Usage data cannot update
Software bug	iOS/Android outdated
Permission issue	Parental control permissions removed

Quick Fixes for Screen Time Not Working

If you know the cause, try the quick solutions above first. If Screen Time is still not working, follow the detailed fixes for your device below.

Problem	Quick Fix
Child's Screen Time is not updating	Check Family Sharing and device connection
Apps are still usable after limit	Check App Limits settings
Screen Time disappeared	Turn Screen Time back on
Apps are disabled	Review restrictions
Screen Time passcode doesn't work	Reset passcode

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Fix Screen Time Not Working on iPhone

If Screen Time is not updating on your child's iPhone or app limits are not being enforced, try these fixes one by one.

1 Force Restart Your Device

With constant use, some applications may become greyed out. In that case, restarting your phone may help. Press and hold the power button and turn it off.

2 Disabled and Re-enabled Screen Time

Generally, disabling and re-enabling Screen Time will refresh the feature's settings and help it work again. However, before turning off and on Screen Time, please kindly note that it wipes all your "Screen Time Data".

Step 1. Go to Settings > Screen Time and tap Turn Off Screen Time.
Step 2. Enter your passcode and confirm to turn it off.
Step 3. Tap Turn On Screen Time, hit Continue, and select whether it's your device or your child's.

3Turn Off App & Website Activity

If the steps above don't work, parents can try toggling "App & Website Activity" off and on from their own phone. Note that while this temporarily clears Screen Time history on both devices, the data will restore on the parent's phone once turned back on, usually fixing the sync issue.

Step 1. Go to Settings > Screen Time and tap Turn Off App & Website Activity.
Step 2. Tap Turn On App & Website Activity to reactivate it.

According to apple users, this method is very helpful.

4Fix Screen Time Syncing Issues Caused by Duplicate Devices

If standard resets don't fix your Screen Time sync, a duplicate device listing might be clogging the data. This often happens if your child is logged into an old or secondary device (like an iPad) that they no longer use, causing Screen Time to track the wrong hardware.

Step 1. Go to Settings > Family and select your child's account.
Step 2. Tap Screen Time > See All App & Website Activity.
Step 3. Tap Devices in the top-right corner.
Step 4. Check for duplicate IDs and switch to the active device your child is currently using.

5Transfer or Reset Your iPhone

If basic troubleshooting fails, Apple Support recommends a deeper sync reset. This process clears corrupted iCloud sync data and parental restrictions without erasing your personal content.

Before starting, ensure all photos are fully backed up by checking the bottom of your Photos app for any pending iCloud syncs.

Step 1. On your child's device, go to Settings > Screen Time and turn it off.
Step 2. Sign out of iCloud on all related devices (both parent and child devices).
Step 3. On these devices, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and select Reset All Settings.
Step 4. Sign back into iCloud on all devices, re-enable Screen Time, and configure your Downtime limits.

This useful method is come from real Apple user experience.

6 Enable Share Across Devices

If Screen Time reports aren't visible or there are issues in restrictions on your child's device, it may be that your Screen Time settings are disabled.

Step 1. Open Setting and select Screen Time.
Step 2. Ensure the setting "Share Across Devices" is enabled on your iPhone.

Note: If the setting is off, screen time will no longer be reported, and all downtime and privacy settings will be disabled.

7Other Methods to Fix Screen Time Not Working on iPhone

Try these methods below:

Turn off Low Power Mode.
Update your device to fix Screen Time errors.
Make sure the date and time settings are correct.
Check that the Downtime feature is turned on.
Sign out of your Apple ID and sign in again.
Reset all of your device settings.

Fix Screen Time Not Working on Android

Although Apple Screen Time is commonly used by families, Android devices have similar issues with Digital Wellbeing and app limits. The following fixes can help Android users restore screen time tracking and restrictions.

1Clear the Digital Wellbeing App Cache

Start with the easiest and most effective fix. Clearing the app's cached data often resolves sudden background crashes without erasing your settings.

Step 1. Pull down the Quick Settings panel and tap the gear icon (Settings).
Step 2. Scroll down, tap Apps, and search for Digital Wellbeing.
Step 3. Tap Digital Wellbeing, select Storage, and hit Clear Cache.

2Verify Your App Timers

Once the cache is cleared, ensure that a simple configuration error isn't the root cause of the problem.

Step 1. Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.
Step 2. Review your app timers and restrictions to ensure they are set correctly and actively enforcing limits.

3Force Automatic Date & Time Sync

Digital Wellbeing relies heavily on the device's internal clock. If the time is even slightly off, tracking metrics and scheduled downtime will fail entirely.

Step 1. Go to Settings and search for Date and time.
Step 2. Tap Date and time from the results.
Step 3. Toggle on Automatic date & time and Automatic time zone.

4Check for System Updates

If the issue persists, you may be dealing with a known OS bug that requires an official patch from your manufacturer.

Step 1. Go to Settings and scroll down to Software Update (or System Update).
Step 2. Tap Check for updates and install the latest software version available.

Is Built-in Screen Time Enough for Parents?

Apple Screen Time and Android Digital Wellbeing are useful for basic limits, but they may not provide enough visibility for parents. Common limitations include:

Limited cross-platform support
Screen time reports may stop syncing
Parents cannot always see real-time usage
App restrictions can be inconsistent

If you have tried the fixes above but still experience missing reports, delayed updates, or inconsistent app restrictions, the issue may be related to the limitations of built-in screen time tools.

To help plug these gaps, a third-party tool like AirDroid Parental Control gives you the real-time insights you need to guide your child's digital habits:

Set daily screen time limits
Block apps/websites instantly
View usage reports
Manage devices remotely

FAQ

Why is my child's Screen Time not updating?

Your child's Screen Time may not update because of sync issues, disabled Screen Time settings, an unstable internet connection, or outdated software. Check Family Sharing, make sure both devices are connected, and confirm that Screen Time and App & Website Activity are enabled.

Why is Screen Time limit not working?

Screen Time limits may not work if App Limits, Downtime, or device restrictions are not configured correctly. Make sure the app is included in the limit, the child's device is synced, and the latest iOS or Android version is installed.

How do I turn Screen Time back on?

To turn Screen Time back on, go to Settings > Screen Time on your iPhone, tap Turn On Screen Time, select whether it is your device or your child's device, and follow the setup instructions.

Can my child bypass Screen Time limits?

Children may find ways around Screen Time restrictions if settings are not properly configured or if they know the Screen Time passcode. Parents should regularly review Screen Time settings and consider using a dedicated parental control app for more consistent management.

Does Screen Time work without Wi-Fi?

Screen Time can track device usage without Wi-Fi, but some features, such as syncing reports between a parent's and child's devices, may require an internet connection. Make sure both devices are connected when checking updated Screen Time data.

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Elsa

Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.

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