This post will walk you through activating a Screen Time feature on the 3rd generation special edition iPhone that prompts the system to limit phone calls, messages and apps during a certain period of time or day. Here’s a quick guide to enable Downtime mode on iPhone SE 3.
iPhone Downtime feature
Apple iPhones that are running on iOS 12 and later versions support a number of screen time features that you can use whenever you set limits to certain apps, services and activities on your device.
One of the said features is the so-called iOS Downtime mode or simply, Downtime.
When enabled, only calls, messages, and selected apps are allowed to run and work on your iPhone. You may opt to receive phone calls from selected contacts during downtime and use only certain apps.
If set to enable on schedule, your device will give you a five-minute notification before downtime is turned on.
By then, your device stays in downtime mode until the end of the day if enabled immediately. If you’ve set it to activate on schedule, downtime will be enabled until the start of your schedule.
Steps to Enable Downtime Mode on Apple iPhone SE 3
Activating Downtime does not affect any app settings and relevant data. What it does is only limit functionality of specified applications during the scheduled day and time.
Just follow these steps whenever you need to make use of this iOS feature.
Step 1: To begin, launch the iOS Settings app. To do this, simply tap on the Gear/Settings icon from the Home screen or Apps library of your iPhone.
Step 2: In the Settings menu, scroll to find then tap Screen Time.
If you haven’t already, turn on Screen Time on your iPhone settings so that you’ll be able to access the Screen Time menu options. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
Step 3: On the Screen Time menu, you will see relevant options. Tap Downtime to proceed.
Step 4: On the succeeding window, tap the option to Turn ON Downtime Until Tomorrow. Choose this option if you want the iPhone to switch to Downtime mode right away.
Step 5: If prompted, read the pop-up message about Downtime then tap OK to confirm.
Step 6: If you opt to use Downtime mode on a specific day and time, tap Scheduled.
Step 7: Turn on the Scheduled switch then select Every Day, if you opt to enable Downtime each time. Also be sure to set the From and To time beneath it, so that Downtime mode activates only during the set time of the day.
Step 8: You can also use a custom schedule for downtime mode to enable automatically on your iPhone.
To set a specific time of the day for Downtime mode to activate, tap Customize Days then select and set your preferred day(s) and time for downtime to activate on your iPhone.
During downtime, only apps, phone calls and messages that you choose to allow will be available on your iPhone.
Should you wish to resume using your device in normal mode, just disable Downtime mode by heading back to Settings-> Screen Time-> Downtime menu then tap the option to Turn Off Downtime.
Quick Notes:
- When enabled, you may be asked to enter your iPhone’s screen time passcode to edit and manage any of the screen time options including Downtime.
- Screen Time passcode is different from the passcode that you use to unlock your iPhone so be sure to enter the correct code.
All restrictions will then be lifted and thus all your iPhone apps, calls and messages are already available and working like they normally do.
Benefits of iPhone Downtime
Unlike App Limits that puts a time limit on apps or app categories, Downtime allows you to schedule a block of time where only allowed apps will work on your iPhone.
Such is a handy feature for parents as it lets them control the apps available to their kids, especially during night time or certain time of the day.
You can also make use of this feature whenever you’d want to strictly impose limits on using work emails after hours at home or social media apps during work time
Some iPhone Apps Not Working?
Some apps may not be able to work as intended with Downtime mode enabled on your iPhone simply because they’re listed among other limited or restricted applications.
To clear this out, check the list of all your apps in your Downtime settings. If the problematic app is listed, then simply remove it from the list so that it will be allowed to run while your iPhone is in downtime mode.
Whitelisting Apps and Calls during iPhone Downtime
To allow certain apps to work normally while your iPhone is Downtime mode is enabled, you will need to whitelist the desired apps on your Screen Time settings.
- To do this, simply access the iPhone’s Screen Time menu then tap on the Always Allowed option.
- Just go to Settings-> Screen Time-> Always Allowed menu. Navigate to the Allowed Apps section then tap the Plus (+) sign next to the app that you want to add to the Allowed Apps list.
To specify contacts that you want to allow communication with during Downtime, tap Contacts then select specific people from your contacts list to allow communication with or add new contact to allow communication with someone that’s not in your existing contacts list.
Allowed apps and contacts won’t be affected with the imposed app limit and communication limit while your iPhone is in downtime mode.
Clear Out Random App Glitches
If the app is still not working even when it’s not restricted in Screen Time or Downtime, it’s probably just due to a random in-app glitch or bug. Closing and restarting the problematic application or performing a soft reset on your iPhone (iPhone reboot) can also be considered among other potential solutions.
Keeping your iPhone apps up to date is likewise highly recommended to ensure optimum performance among apps.
Should the transpiring issue affect an iOS app, installing the latest iOS version available will likely fix it.
And that’s how to activate downtime mode on the Apple SE 3rd generation smartphone.
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