How do I set up Screen Time with iOS 17 and newer on an iPhone®?

Before You Begin

• About Screen Time: Apple provides free device controls, called Screen Time, for iPhone® and iPad®.
   
• iOS (iPhone® Operating System): This article highlights the Screen Time features on iOS 17, 18, and 26 that work well with the Victory Shield™ app.

Lock Screen Time Settings

To prevent the member from changing the settings we're about to set up, follow these steps to lock Screen Time:

1. Open the Settings app on the iPhone® or iPad®.
   
2. Tap "Screen Time.”
   
3. Scroll down and tap "Lock Screen Time Settings."
   
4. Enter a 4-digit passcode (the member should not know this code). Re-enter the code for verification.
   
5. Screen Time Passcode Recovery lets you reset the Screen Time Passcode via an Apple Account. Please read the following suggestions carefully and choose the one that best protects the member while proactively securing the Screen Time Passcode. For this article, we will select suggestion #3.
   
   SUGGESTION 1: The Ally can enter their Apple Account. If the Ally uses their Apple Account, they can reset the Screen Time Passcode with their Apple Account. Allies can create a free Apple Account with their email or phone number on Apple’s website, even if they don’t have an Apple device.
   
   SUGGESTION 2: The Ally can change the member’s Apple Account password before setting up the Screen Time Passcode. This way, the struggling member will be less able to “recover the passcode” and access the Screen Time settings.
   
   SUGGESTION 3: You can select “Cancel” and opt out of Screen Time Passcode Recovery. The Ally or whoever entered the code is then responsible for remembering it. Please note that Covenant Eyes does not see or know your Screen Time Passcode, so you must contact Apple Support if it’s lost or forgotten. If you select "Cancel," tap "Skip" on the following screen.
   
   
6. Whether you skipped Passcode Recovery or not, Lock Screen Time settings should change to Change Screen Time Passcode.
   

Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions

To prevent the member from installing apps, deleting apps, and turning off our Safari® extension, follow these steps to turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions:

1. Open the Settings app on the iPhone® or iPad®.
   
2. Tap “Screen Time.”
   
3. Tap “Content and Privacy Restrictions.”
   
4. Move the "Content & Privacy Restrictions" toggle switch to the right to turn it on (the switch will turn green). If prompted, enter your Screen Time Passcode.
   

Check Safari®

For the best accountability experience, use Safari® as your browser so we can screen-capture your activity. Long-time members may have disabled Safari®. Follow these steps to make sure Safari® is on:

1. Open the Settings app on the iPhone® or iPad®.
   
2. Tap “Screen Time.”
   
3. Tap “Content and Privacy Restrictions.”
   
4. Tap “Allowed Apps & Features." If prompted, enter your Screen Time Passcode.
   
5. Move the "Safari®" toggle switch to the right to turn it on (the switch will turn green).
   

Disable Installing & Deleting Apps

To prevent the member from installing inappropriate apps or browsers via the App Store®, we recommend disabling the option to install apps.

 

If you want, you can also delete social media apps (like Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and instead go to the social media website (facebook.com, instagram.com, etc.) in Safari so we can screen-capture your activity. You can also disable the ability to delete apps to safeguard Victory Shield™ from being uninstalled.

1. Open the Settings app on the iPhone® or iPad®.
   
2. Tap “Screen Time.”
   
3. Tap “Content and Privacy Restrictions.”
   
4. Tap “iTunes & App Store Purchases.” If prompted, enter your Screen Time Passcode.
   
5. Tap “Installing Apps.” 
   
6. Tap “Don’t Allow” to disable the ability to install apps. If prompted, enter your Screen Time Passcode. Then tap "<" to return to the previous screen.
   

7. You’ll return to the iTunes & App Store Purchases screen and be able to view the changed setting.

   You can also disable the member's ability to delete apps and protect Victory Shield™ from being uninstalled. First, go to the home screen and delete all the apps you don't want the member to have or use. Then, return to this screen, tap “Deleting Apps,” and “Don’t Allow."

   

Limit Adult Content & Lockdown the Victory Shield™ Safari® Extension

The Limit Adult Content setting safeguards our Safari® extension from being uninstalled, filters explicit websites across the whole device, removes the Private Browsing option in Safari® and prevents the member from clearing browsing history in Safari®.

1. Open the Settings app on the iPhone® or iPad®.
   
2. Tap “Screen Time.”
   
3. Tap “Content and Privacy Restrictions.”
   
4. Tap "App Store, Media, Web, & Games." If prompted, enter your Screen Time Passcode.
   
5. Tap “Web Content.”
   
6. Tap “Limit Adult Websites."
   
7. Due to adult themes, the Limit Adult Websites option will block covenanteyes.com. Under ALWAYS ALLOWED, tap “Add Website” and add these websites (you can only add one at a time):
   
   covenanteyes.com
   covenanteyes.net
   cvnt.net
   
   
8. After you add all the websites to the ALWAYS ALLOW list, tap the “<” option to return to the previous screen.
   
9. You’ll return to the App Store, Media, Web, & Games screen and be able to view the changed setting..