How to Set Up macOS Parental Controls Using Screen Time for Home Office Devices

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Set Up macOS Parental Controls Using Screen Time for Home Office Devices. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Screen Time is Apple's built-in tool for managing how devices are used. For home office users in Brisbane, it provides a straightforward way to set app limits, restrict web content, and schedule downtime on a family Mac without installing third-party software.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
2. Select Screen Time from the sidebar.
3. Click Turn On to enable Screen Time.
4. Set a Screen Time Passcode to prevent changes.
5. Configure Downtime, App Limits, and Content & Privacy restrictions.

Detailed Instructions

Enable Screen Time

1. Click the Apple icon () in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Select System Settings.
3. Click Screen Time in the left sidebar.
4. Click the Turn On button in the top-right corner.

Set a Screen Time Passcode

1. In the Screen Time settings, click Options in the bottom-left corner.
2. Click Change Passcode or Turn Passcode On.
3. Enter a four-digit passcode that your children do not know.
4. Enter your Apple ID email and password for passcode recovery.
5. Click OK.

Configure Downtime

1. Select Downtime from the Screen Time sidebar.
2. Click Turn On.
3. Choose Every Day or Custom to set specific days.
4. Set the start and end times (for example, 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM).
5. During Downtime, only allowed apps and phone calls are accessible.

Set App Limits

1. Select App Limits from the Screen Time sidebar.
2. Click the + (Add) button.
3. Select a category (such as Social Networking, Games, or Creativity) or individual apps.
4. Set the daily time limit.
5. Click Done.

Restrict Web Content

1. Select Content & Privacy from the Screen Time sidebar.
2. Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to On.
3. Click Content Restrictions.
4. Next to Web Content, choose one of the following:
• Unrestricted Access: Allows all websites.
• Limit Adult Websites: Automatically restricts adult content.
• Allowed Websites Only: Only allows specific websites you add to the list.
5. If you chose Allowed Websites Only, click Customize to add approved sites.

Manage Privacy and Other Restrictions

1. In Content & Privacy, review the following sections:
• Apps: Allow or disallow apps like Safari, Camera, or Siri.
• Stores: Restrict installing or deleting apps and in-app purchases.
• Content Restrictions: Set age ratings for movies, TV shows, books, and apps.
2. Toggle any item to Off to block it.

Troubleshooting

Screen Time is not showing usage data

• Ensure Screen Time is turned on in System Settings > Screen Time.
• Wait up to 24 hours for initial usage data to appear.
• Restart the Mac and check again.

Forgot Screen Time passcode

• Click Forgot Passcode? on the Mac.
• Enter the Apple ID and password used when setting up the passcode.
• Follow the prompts to reset the passcode.

Blocked apps are still accessible

• Verify that Content & Privacy Restrictions is enabled.
• Check that the app is not listed under Always Allowed.
• Ensure the macOS user account being used is the managed account, not an administrator account.

If you need further assistance configuring Screen Time on your home office devices, Open a Ticket with 220 Internet Services support.

Still Having Issues?