With the release of iOS 18, users have welcomed exciting new features—but many are also running into frustrating Screen Time issues. Problems like disappearing app limits, downtime glitches, and broken parental controls are leaving both parents and users annoyed. If iOS 18 Screen Time not working on your iPhone, this guide breaks down the possible causes and offers practical solutions to fix it.
Part 1: Why Screen Time APP Limits Not Working After Update
Part 2: How to Fix iOS 18 Screen Time App Limits Not Working
- Way 1. Restart Your iOS 18 Device
- Way 2. Check for the Latest iOS Update
- Way 3. Reconfigure Screen Time Settings
- Way 4. Set Per-App Limits Strictly
- Way 5. Reset iPhone All Settings
- Way 6. Re-Sign in Apple ID
- Way 7. Fix iOS 18 Screen Time Not Working by Removing Screen Time HOT
Part 3: When to Contact Apple Support to Fix Screen Time Not Working
Part 4: Prevent Future Screen Time Not Working Issues
Final Thoughts
Part 1: Why iOS 18 Screen Time Might Not Be Working
After updating to iOS 18, you might notice that Screen Time app limits have disappeared or no longer work as expected. This can leave many parents wondering: why did the iOS 18 Screen time app limits not working after the update, and how is my child able to bypass Screen Time restrictions so easily now? Following are some common issues why the iOS 18 Screen Time not blocking apps like ever before:
- Software Bugs in iOS 18/17/16: Updates often introduce glitches, such as Screen Time app limits disappearing or downtime settings not restricting apps.
- Sync Issues with Family Sharing: Screen Time limits not syncing across devices? Misconfigured Family Sharing or iCloud errors can make parental controls not working.
- App Compatibility Problems: Apps like YouTube, Snapchat, and Roblox may bypass Screen Time limits due to outdated app versions or loopholes in their design.
- Passcode Forgotten or Reset Failures: A forgotten Screen Time passcode locks you out of adjusting settings, and manual resets risk data loss.
- User Workarounds: Tech-savvy kids might bypass Screen Time limits by changing device time zones, uninstalling apps, or exploiting loopholes, resulting iPhone app limits not working.
- Incorrect Configuration: Overlapping app limits, downtime schedules, or disabled restrictions can render Screen Time ineffective.
Also Read: How to Turn off Ignore Limit Option on Screen Time? 3 Ways
Part 2: How to Fix iOS 18 Screen Time App Limits Not Working
iOS 18 Downtime Settings not working can be frustrating—but these 6 solutions will help you get Screen Time limits back on track.
Way 1. Restart Your iOS 18 Device
A simple restart can often resolve minor iOS Screen Time glitches. Power off your iPhone or iPad and then turn it back on to see if Screen Time starts working properly.
Way 2. Check for the Latest iOS Update
Sometimes, bugs that affect features like Screen Time are fixed in subsequent updates. Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS 18. Follow steps below to fix Screen Time not blocking apps after update:
Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update to install patches for parental control not working issues, especially after iOS 17.1.
Way 3. Reconfigure iOS 18 Screen Time Settings
When downtime fails to restrict apps or App Limits keeps disappearing, turning Screen Time off and back on can reset its functions and clear any accumulated data causing issues.
Go to Settings > Screen Time > Turn Off Screen Time.
Wait 5 minutes, then re-enable it.
Reset app limits and downtime schedules.
Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Add Limit.
Select categories such as Social Media or individual apps.
Enable Block at End of Limit to prevent bypassing Screen Time.
Go to Settings > General.
Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings, then enter your passcode to confirm.
After the reset, reconfigure Screen Time and check if the limits are now working as expected.
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on your Apple ID name at the top of the screen.
Scroll down and tap Sign Out. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password to disable Find My iPhone.
Choose the data you want to keep on your device, then tap Sign Out again to confirm.
After signing out, restart your device for a clean refresh. Go back to Settings, then tap Sign in to your iPhone.
Once signed in, wait a few minutes for your iCloud settings to sync, then check if Screen Time is working properly.
- Fast - Remove screen lock/iPhone Passcode/Activation Lock in minutes
- Secure - Bypass screen time/MDM lock without data loss
- Easy to operate - Unlock by yourself at home without hassle
- Compatible - Compatible with the latest iOS 18 and iPhone 16 models
- Supports Windows and MacOS
Open the PassFab iPhone unlock tool, select the screen time password removal option, and connect your device to your PC using a USB wire. Tap "Trust" on your iOS device if prompted on your iPhone/iPad.
Click "Start to Remove" and follow the on-screen instructions to successfully remove this password.
And then wait for a while, it will change screen time passcode in a few minutes. You’ll be no longer worry about forgot screen time passcode.
- Fast - Remove screen lock/iPhone Passcode/Activation Lock in minutes
- Secure - Bypass screen time/MDM lock without data loss
- Easy to operate - Unlock by yourself at home without hassle
- Compatible - Compatible with the latest iOS 18 and iPhone 16 models
- Supports Windows and MacOS
Way 4. Set Per-App Limits to Fix iOS 18 Screen Time Not Working
If iOS 18 Screen Time is not working on apps like Brawl Stars, YouTube, or Roblox, setting strict per-app limits can help you solve the issue. iOS 18's Screen Time feature lets you control how long an app can be used each day. By setting up app limits properly—and ensuring they can't be easily bypassed—you can regain control over device usage and keep distractions in check. Follow steps to fix Screen Time downtime not restricting apps:
Way 5. Reset iPhone All Settings to Fix iOS Screen Time Limit Not Working
When Screen Time limits aren't working properly on your iPhone, one effective solution is to reset all settings. This action won’t delete your data, but it will restore system settings like Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and privacy preferences to their defaults. Resetting all settings can resolve glitches that may be interfering with Screen Time functionality. To do this,
Also Read: iPhone Reset vs Erase All Content and Settings
Way 6: Re-Sign in Apple ID to Fix iOS 18 Screen Time Not Working
Sometimes, Screen Time issues in iOS 18—such as app limits not syncing or downtime not working—can be linked to glitches in your Apple ID connection. Re-signing into your Apple ID can refresh your iCloud settings and resolve syncing issues that may be affecting Screen Time. It’s a simple yet effective method worth trying before moving on to more advanced solutions.
Way 6. Fix iOS 18 Screen Time Not Working by Removing Screen Time
If none of the above solutions resolve the issue, you might want to consider using PassFab iPhone Unlock to remove the Screen Time passcode completely.
This tool is especially useful if you've forgotten your Screen Time passcode or if Screen Time continues to malfunction despite troubleshooting. By removing the Screen Time restrictions entirely, PassFab iPhone Unlock allows your device to operate without interruptions, restoring full access and functionality.
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Follow the step-by-step instructions to fix iOS 18 downtown settings not working issue:
Also Read: How to Bypass Screen Time Passcode on iPhone or iPad
Part 3: When to Contact Apple Support to Fix Screen Time Not Working
You should contact Apple Support if you've tried all basic troubleshooting steps but downtime settings still not working —like restarting your device, updating iOS, resetting all settings, using PassFab iPhone Unlock, and ensuring Screen Time is set up correctly—but the issue still persists. This is especially important if Screen Time limits are consistently being bypassed, the feature is missing altogether, or you're unable to change or reset the Screen Time passcode. If Screen Time isn't syncing properly across your family’s devices despite being set up through Family Sharing, Apple Support can also help diagnose and resolve the issue.
Part 4: Prevent Future Screen Time Not Working Issues
To prevent future issues with Screen Time not blocking Apps, it's important to keep your device updated with the latest iOS version, as updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements. Additionally, ensure that Screen Time is properly set up with the correct passcode and that your device’s time and date settings are set to “Set Automatically” to avoid any scheduling errors. Avoid sharing your Screen Time passcode and regularly review your app and content restrictions to make sure they align with your intended limits. Restarting your device periodically can also help maintain smooth system performance.
Final Thoughts
iOS 18 may bring useful updates, but Screen Time glitches can be a real headache. With the right steps—and tools like PassFab iPhone Unlock—you can fix frustratinf iOS 18 Screen Time not working issues, reset your settings, and regain full control of your device. Keep your system updated and your settings checked to make sure Screen Time works the way it should.
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