How to Set Up Screen Time & App Limits on Your Child’s iPad: Complete Guide

If your child uses an iPad, Screen Time gives you simple, built-in controls to manage app usage, block inappropriate content, and prevent accidental purchases—without needing extra apps or paid subscriptions. This guide walks you through setup in just 5 minutes.

What is Screen Time & App Limits?

Screen Time is Apple’s built-in parental control feature that lets you set restrictions on app usage, purchases, and content access on your child’s iPad. By enabling Screen Time and creating a custom PIN, you control which apps your child can use, restrict age-inappropriate content, and prevent accidental purchases—all without requiring a separate app or subscription. Current as of: iOS/iPadOS 18 and later - October 2025

Why Use This Feature?

• Prevent accidental purchases: Block in-app purchases and iTunes spending before they happen
• Manage screen time: Set daily time limits by app category and schedule downtime when no apps work
• Control content access: Hide specific apps your child shouldn’t use and block adult websites
• Peace of mind: Monitor usage patterns while maintaining a healthy digital balance for your child

Things to Consider

• Save your PIN immediately: If you forget your Screen Time PIN, you’ll need to contact Apple Support or reset your iPad—there’s no shortcut
• Restrictions affect all users: Screen Time settings apply to the iPad itself; if multiple children share one iPad, the restrictions apply to everyone
• Your child can see limits approaching: Kids will receive notifications when app time is running out, which encourages awareness but may also lead to requests for more time

How to Set Up Screen Time & App Limits - Step by Step

Step 1: Open Screen Time Settings

1. Open Settings on your child’s iPad
2. Look for Screen Time (usually near the top, below Notifications)
3. Tap Turn On Screen Time or Start Using Screen Time if this is your first time

Step 2: Identify the iPad as Your Child’s Device

1. When prompted, select This is My Child’s iPad (not “This is My iPad”)
2. Tap Continue

Step 3: Create Your Screen Time PIN

1. Create a 4-digit PIN code that only you know (avoid birthdays or obvious numbers)
2. Confirm the PIN by entering it again
3. Write this PIN down in a safe place immediately—you’ll need it to change settings later, and there’s no recovery option without Apple Support

Step 4: Set Daily App Time Limits

1. From the Screen Time screen, tap App Limits
2. Tap Add Limit to create a new time restriction
3. Choose which app categories to limit (Games, Social Media, Productivity, etc.) or select individual apps
4. Set the daily time allowance (for example, “2 hours per day” or “30 minutes per day”)
5. Tap Add to save this limit

Step 5: Schedule Downtime (When No Apps Work)

1. From the Screen Time screen, tap Downtime
2. Toggle Downtime on
3. Set start and end times (for example, 9 PM to 8 AM for school nights)
4. During downtime, only Phone and Messages will work; all other apps will be blocked

Step 6: Block Specific Apps Your Child Shouldn’t Use

1. From the Screen Time screen, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
2. Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions on
3. Tap Allowed Apps to see the full list of installed apps
4. Toggle off any app you want to hide from your child (for example, social media apps, browsers, or games)
5. Apps you toggle off will be hidden from your child’s Home Screen but can be re-enabled anytime from this menu

Step 7: Prevent In-App Purchases (Accidental Charges)

1. Still in Content & Privacy Restrictions, scroll down to iTunes & App Store Purchases
2. Tap In-App Purchases and select Don’t Allow
3. This prevents your child from spending real money within games or other apps

Step 8 (Optional but Recommended): Block Adult Websites

1. From Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap Allowed Apps > Web Content
2. Select Limit Adult Websites
3. You can also add specific websites to the Never Allow list by tapping the “+” button

You’re Done! Screen Time is now active. Your child will see app limit notifications as they approach their daily allowance, and restricted apps will be hidden.

Screen Time gives you straightforward control over your child’s iPad usage without complicated setup or monthly fees. Once you’ve saved your PIN in a safe place, you can confidently manage app access, screen time, and purchases while your child develops healthier digital habits.