Want to see how much time you (or your kids) are spending on apps, social media, and games? The Screen Time feature on your iPhone 13 helps you track usage, set app limits, and apply parental controls. Here’s how to quickly turn it on or off and make the most of it.
What Screen Time Does
- Tracks how long you use your iPhone daily and weekly
- Lets you set limits on specific apps or categories
- Enables Downtime (schedule time away from apps)
- Offers parental controls for kids’ devices
- Works with Family Sharing to manage others’ usage remotely
How to Turn On Screen Time on iPhone 13
- Open Settings
From your Home screen, tap the Settings app. - Tap Screen Time
Scroll down and tap Screen Time. - Tap Turn On Screen Time
Then tap Continue when you see the overview screen. - Choose Who It’s For
Select This is My iPhone or This is My Child’s iPhone. - Follow Setup Prompts
You’ll see options for:- Downtime (schedule time away from apps)
- App Limits
- Communication Limits
- Always Allowed
- Content & Privacy Restrictions
These can all be customized anytime.
How to Set a Screen Time Passcode
Want to lock in your settings or prevent others from changing them?
- In Settings > Screen Time, tap Use Screen Time Passcode.
- Set a unique 4-digit passcode.
- You may be asked to enter your Apple ID in case you forget the passcode later.
⚠️ Make sure it’s different from your phone’s unlock code.
Share Screen Time Across Devices
To get usage data from all your Apple devices:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Toggle on Share Across Devices
Make sure you’re signed into the same Apple ID on each device.
How to Turn Off Screen Time
If you no longer want to track usage or apply restrictions:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Scroll down and tap Turn Off Screen Time
- Enter your passcode (if set), then confirm
This will remove all limits and tracking.