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

We're removing the browser portion of the Covenant Eyes app for iPhone® in 2024. We encourage you to set Safari as your default browser and turn on our Safari extension so we can screen-capture your activity!

Apple provides free device controls, called Screen Time, for iPhone® and iPad®. This article highlights the Screen Time features on iOS 17 (Apple’s iPhone® operating system) that work well with the Covenant Eyes 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 Covenant Eyes 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 ID.
   
   SUGGESTION 1: The ally can enter their Apple ID. If the ally uses their Apple ID, they can reset the Screen Time Passcode with their Apple ID. Allies can create a free Apple ID 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 ID 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" 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."
   
5. Enter your Screen Time Passcode.
   
6. 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 to safeguard Covenant Eyes from being uninstalled, you can also disable the ability to delete apps.

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.”
   
5. Enter your Screen Time Passcode.
   
6. Tap “Installing Apps.”
   
7. Enter your Screen Time Passcode.
   
8. Tap “Don’t Allow” to disable the ability to install apps and then tap "< Back" to return to the previous screen.
   
9. 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 & protect Covenant Eyes 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."

   

Disable Siri

Siri is Apple’s built-in voice assistant! You can ask Siri about the weather, search the web, send texts, make phone calls, and more. Since you can use Siri to search the web, some members find it helpful to disable Siri and explicit language.

1. Open the Settings app on the iPhone® or iPad®.
   
2. Tap “Screen Time.”
   
3. Tap “Content and Privacy Restrictions.”
   
4. Tap "Content Restrictions."
   
5. Enter your Screen Time Passcode.
   
6. Tap “Web Search Content.”
   
7. Tap “Don’t Allow” to disable searching the web via Siri and tap the “< Back” option to return to the previous screen.
   
8. Tap “Explicit Language.”
   
9. Tap “Don’t Allow” to disable inappropriate language with Siri and tap the “< Back” option to return to the previous screen.
   
10. You’ll return to the Content Restrictions screen and be able to view the changed settings.
    

Limit Adult Content & Lockdown the Covenant Eyes 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 "Content Restrictions."
   
5. Enter your Screen Time Passcode.
   
6. Tap “Web Content.”
   
7. Tap “Limit Adult Websites."
   
8. 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
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. After you add all the websites to the ALWAYS ALLOW list, tap the “< Back” option to return to the previous screen.
   
10. You’ll return to the Content Restrictions screen and be able to view the changed setting.