If Apple’s current Screen Time bug has driven you moderately nuts and resulted in restrictions to a child’s iPhone or iPad failing to be enforced, the company has stated that it’s aware of the issue and a fix is on the way.
Screen Time is designed as a way for parents to keep tabs on the device usage of their children. The feature allows parents to set an iPhone, iPad, or other Apple product to be used for a certain amount of time within a schedule, including limiting the kinds of apps being used.
The feature hasn’t been working under iOS or iPadOS, and attempts to change settings aren’t being applied properly. This has resulted in children being able to continue using the hardware under previously-configured settings, rather than the updated scheduling.
Per the Wall Street Journal, Apple had previously acknowledged the existence of the bug as one that didn’t properly sync across all devices, fixing it in iOS 16.5. However, in continued testing by the publication, including in the iOS 17 public beta, the publication claims that it still exists.
An Apple spokesperson offered the following comment:
“We are aware that some users may be experiencing an issue where Screen Time settings are unexpectedly reset. We take these reports very seriously and we have been, and will continue, making updates to improve the situation.”
The current issue deals with Downtime, which is a setting within Screen Time that is used to define the hours an iPhone or iPad is limited to. While a setting can be changed within the tool, it can sometimes revert to a previously-set state, or not be restricted at all.
There’s currently no way the issue can be detected short of repeatedly checking how it is set, or by observing the device usage habits of their children more directly. Changes can be made and will take effect if they’re physically done on each device, but remote control of various devices has been affected by the bug.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and The Wall Street Journal