In iOS 12, Apple's digital health push includes a couple of special new features for iPhone and iPad users who want to cut down on their app usage: App Limits and Downtime. In this article, we'll show you how to use them.
App Limits allows you to set specific time limits on a particular app category (games, for example). When you've spent the designated time using the app category, iOS sends you an alert notifying you of the fact. Of course, you're free to ignore these alerts, but the idea behind them is that they'll help you manage your time better.
The second feature, Downtime, enables you to set a daily schedule for when you'd rather not use your iOS device at all. Once activated, the feature restricts device usage to phone calls and any apps you've specifically exempted from Downtime. Like App Limits, you can override these restrictions – they're more like good guidance than anything else, and can still help if you honestly want to self-regulate your mobile usage.
If you want to override the custom limit, simply tap Ignore Limit. You can then select either to Reminded Me in 15 Minutes or Ignore Limit for Today.
To delete app category limits and individual app Limits at any time, go to Settings -> Screen Time -> App Limits, tap on the limit you want to remove, then tap Delete Limit.
If there are particular apps which you'd like to remain accessible during Downtime, you can add these to your Allowed Apps list, located in Settings -> Screen Time -> Always Allowed.
Simply tap the green plus buttons beside apps that you want to add to the list, or the red minus buttons to remove them.
App Limits allows you to set specific time limits on a particular app category (games, for example). When you've spent the designated time using the app category, iOS sends you an alert notifying you of the fact. Of course, you're free to ignore these alerts, but the idea behind them is that they'll help you manage your time better.
The second feature, Downtime, enables you to set a daily schedule for when you'd rather not use your iOS device at all. Once activated, the feature restricts device usage to phone calls and any apps you've specifically exempted from Downtime. Like App Limits, you can override these restrictions – they're more like good guidance than anything else, and can still help if you honestly want to self-regulate your mobile usage.
How to Set Individual App Limits in iOS 12
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Tap the Screen Time graph for this device. Alternatively, tap All Devices.
- Scroll down to the Most Used list and tap an app you want to set a limit for.
- Tap Add Limit at the bottom of the menu.
- Select a time limit using the hour and minute wheels. If you want to set different limits for particular days of the week, tap Customize Days.
- Tap Add to apply the app limit.
How to Set App Category Limits in iOS 12
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Tap App Limits.
- Tap the categories in the list that you'd like to include in the limit, or select All Apps & Categories.
- Tap Add in the upper right of the screen.
- Select a time limit using the hour and minute wheels. If you want to set different limits for particular days of the week, select Customize Days.
- Tap Back when you're done.
- Add another limit if desired, or tap Screen Time to return to the main Screen Time menu.
If you want to override the custom limit, simply tap Ignore Limit. You can then select either to Reminded Me in 15 Minutes or Ignore Limit for Today.
To delete app category limits and individual app Limits at any time, go to Settings -> Screen Time -> App Limits, tap on the limit you want to remove, then tap Delete Limit.
How to Use Downtime in iOS 12
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Tap Downtime.
- Slide the Downtime toggle to enable it.
- Select a Start and End time using the dropdown hour and minute wheels.
How to Exempt Certain Apps From Downtime
If there are particular apps which you'd like to remain accessible during Downtime, you can add these to your Allowed Apps list, located in Settings -> Screen Time -> Always Allowed.
Simply tap the green plus buttons beside apps that you want to add to the list, or the red minus buttons to remove them.
Related Roundup: iOS 12
18 comments
Apple-owned Beddit recently launched a new beta testing program that's designed to allow those who own the new Beddit 3.5 device released in December to test new and upcoming features.
In a...
Apple this morning released the second iOS 13 beta for developers, addressing bugs, introducing new bugs, and adding and refining iOS 13 features.
There are no super exciting new changes in the...
Apple today seeded the second betas of iOS 13 and iPadOS to developers for testing purposes, two weeks after first unveiling the new updates at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
Registered...
Apple today seeded the second beta of macOS 10.15 Catalina for testing purposes, two weeks after the new Mac operating system update was first unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
...
Walmart today announced that its customers can now complete postpaid cell phone upgrades on the Walmart website for the first time, allowing Walmart to better compete with both carriers and retailers...
Apple plans to release three new iPhones in the second half of 2020, including high-end 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch models with OLED displays and a lower-end 6.1-inch model with an OLED display, according...
Update: Apple Camp registration is now open. This year's programs run between July 7 and August 3 in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and select European countries like Italy, France, Spain,...
Apple plans to produce six small-budget movies a year with an eye toward stories that could win Academy Awards, according to The New York Post.
The Post's sources claim Apple wants to...
