App Limits are built into Screen Time and let you place a daily time budget on one app, several apps, or an entire app category. When the limit is reached, iOS blocks the app until the limit resets or more time is allowed.
These steps apply to iOS 12 or later, including devices managed through Family Sharing.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want to reduce time in social apps, games, streaming, or other apps for yourself or a child without relying on willpower alone.
Set an App Limit
- Open Settings > Screen Time.
- If managing a child through Family Sharing, tap the child’s name first. Otherwise the limit applies to this iPhone.
- Tap App Limits.
- Tap Add Limit.
- Choose a whole category or expand a category and select specific apps.
- Tap Next.
- Set the daily time allowance and customize days if needed.
- Tap Add.
Adjust or Protect Limits
- Return to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.
- Tap an existing limit to change time, days, apps, or delete it.
- Set a Screen Time passcode from the main Screen Time screen if you do not want limits changed casually.
- With a passcode, extending time or turning off Screen Time requires that code.
How Limits Behave
When Time Runs Out
The app icon shows an hourglass and opening the app shows a limit screen. Nothing is deleted, and the allowance resets at midnight.
Always Allowed
Use Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed for apps that should remain available, such as Phone, Messages, or Maps.
Category Limits Are Shared
A one-hour Social limit means one hour across the selected social apps combined, not one hour in each app.
Sources
- Apple Support: Set up Screen Time for yourself on iPhone
- Apple Support: Set up Screen Time for a family member
- Apple Support: Set a Screen Time passcode on iPhone