Downtime on iPhone: bedtime and school schedules

Downtime is the Screen Time feature that switches off most apps and notifications during hours you choose. It is the simplest tool for protecting bedtime and school time. Menu names can differ slightly by iOS version.

What Downtime does

During Downtime only the apps you have allowed, and phone calls, work. Everything else is greyed out with an hourglass. A child can ask for more time, and you can approve it or not.

Set it up

1. Open Settings, Screen Time. For your child, choose their name under Family.
2. Tap Downtime.
3. Turn on Scheduled.
4. Choose Every Day or Customize Days.
5. Set a start and end time.

Good times to use

• Bedtime. Start an hour before sleep time and finish after wake-up time. Sleeping is the biggest reason to use it.
• School hours. A school schedule can keep phones from distracting lessons.
• Homework. A short Downtime stops games and videos until finished.

Choose Always Allowed apps

In Screen Time, tap Always Allowed to pick the apps that still work during Downtime, such as Phone, Messages (with limits) and a learning app. Keep the list short.

Block at Downtime

Turn on Block at Downtime so the device cannot be used for blocked apps without asking. Without it, your child only gets a reminder.

What about weekends?

Customize Days lets you set later times at weekends. Setting different times can help children feel the rules are fair.

Ask for more time

When children ask for more time, you get a request on your phone. A clear rule helps: "If it's done on time, I'll say yes."

Combine with other rules

Charge phones outside the bedroom at night, and agree on a screen-free routine before bed. See screen time rules and our full iPhone parental controls guide.