Different ScreenTime settings for each device?

Tech Support
1

I am using ScreenTime on my child’s phone. Mostly works (ugh). I would like to allow her more access on the family Mac than I give her on the phone. I did a web search which said it is possible but I don’t see how.

Thanks!!

2

Would it work if you turned off “Share Across Devices” in the screentime settings on the MAC for that account?

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Followup: After messing with this on and off for months, I now have definitive answer. I asked ChatGPT and it somehow ‘knew’ that you cannot have different ScreenTime settings for the same account on separate devices. It identified the nuances of this and a couple of workarounds.

But first, a quick comment.

I would have thought so but after experimenting, I am now befuddled. I have no idea what this setting does.

Anyway, back to ChatGPT. See ChatGPT’s tl;dr at end but the bottom line is that the only way is to set up two separate iCloud accounts, one for the child when using the Mac, one when using the phone.

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My Question:

“In managing screen time on multiple Apple devices for a child, using apple Screen Time, how do you have different screen time parameters for each device? For example, I’d like to have some apps available on the Mac, but different apps available on her iPhone.”

ChatGPT’s Answer:

Apple’s Screen Time is designed to manage usage across all of a child’s Apple devices under a single Apple ID. However, by default, Screen Time settings (including App Limits and Downtime) apply globally across all devices signed into the same iCloud account.

:white_check_mark: The Problem:

You want different app limits or access rules on each device — say, certain apps allowed on the Mac but not on the iPhone, or vice versa.

:wrench: The Workarounds & Options:

1. Use App Limits by Category Carefully

While app limits apply across devices, you can:

  • Set individual app limits (not just category-wide).
  • Only limit specific apps that are common to both devices.

Still, this doesn’t help if you want an app available on one device but completely blockedon the other.

2. Use “Always Allowed” Strategically

  • Under Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed, you can choose apps that are always accessible, regardless of App Limits.
  • This setting applies across devices, so it’s not ideal for per-device customization.

3. Use Downtime Differently on Mac and iPhone (LIMITED)

If the devices are signed into different Apple IDs, you can set completely separate Screen Time controls — including different Downtime, App Limits, and Content Restrictions — per device.

This requires:

  • Setting up Family Sharing and inviting the child’s second Apple ID (e.g., one for the Mac and one for the iPhone).
  • Managing each device’s settings separately from your parent device.

:closed_lock_with_key: Note: This is the only way to fully separate Screen Time rules per device.

:white_check_mark: Suggested Setup

Option A: Use Two Apple IDs (One for Mac, One for iPhone)

  1. Create a second Apple ID for your child (Apple allows this under Family Sharing).
  2. Use one Apple ID for iPhone and another for Mac.
  3. Add both to Family Sharing.
  4. On your parent device, manage Screen Time independently for each Apple ID (i.e., for each device).

:brain: Pro Tip: Keep iCloud syncing (like Photos, iMessage, etc.) linked with shared Apple IDs if needed by selectively enabling iCloud services under Settings > iCloud.

:hammer_and_wrench: Example Use Case:

You want:

  • Mac: Productivity apps like Word, Chrome, and coding tools accessible during the day.
  • iPhone: Only communication apps and some games with time limits.

With separate Apple IDs, you could:

  • Allow full-day access to Chrome on the Mac but block Chrome entirely on iPhone.
  • Limit iPhone game time to 1 hour but allow games on the Mac all evening.

:pushpin: TL;DR:

Apple Screen Time does not natively support per-device rules under the same Apple ID. To manage different screen time parameters on each device:

:repeat: Use separate Apple IDs for each device and manage both under Family Sharing — this is the only way to configure device-specific rules.

Would you like a cheat sheet or step-by-step setup guide for creating a second Apple ID and linking it via Family Sharing?

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Hi MRubenzahl, I read your question and it seems that you want to allow more apps on your child’s Mac, but set more restrictions on his iPhone. If you’re using Screen Time, the only way to set different restrictions on each device is to create 2 separate Apple IDs for your child.

But this is not the best way. Your child can easily bypass restrictions by signing out of their Apple ID or switching to a different one.

I recommend using dedicated parental control software on your child’s Mac and iPhone, one option is Cisdem AppCrypt. It is free to use on iPhone. After installing it, lock the apps you don’t want your child to access, or set time limits, and then turn on the function of “Deny app removal” and “Deny app installation”. This software has a password protection function, so your child won’t be able to bypass your restrictions.
It is also compatible with Mac, offers even more features and can start automatically when system start up.

Hope this helps!