Kids Using Assistive Access To Override Screen Time Limits
I see this thread (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255620405?login=true&sortBy=rank) is closed and am wondering if the latest OS update (18.3) solved it.
I see this thread (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255620405?login=true&sortBy=rank) is closed and am wondering if the latest OS update (18.3) solved it.
AssistiveTouch cannot override Screen Time Restrictions set by a parent or guardian. Screen Time is designed to prevent workarounds, and AssistiveTouch is simply an accessibility feature that provides an on-screen menu for navigation and gestures.
However, if an app is restricted or a time limit is reached, AssistiveTouch will not bypass those controls. The only way to remove Screen Time restrictions is by entering the Screen Time passcode set by the parent or guardian.
AssistiveTouch cannot override Screen Time Restrictions set by a parent or guardian. Screen Time is designed to prevent workarounds, and AssistiveTouch is simply an accessibility feature that provides an on-screen menu for navigation and gestures.
However, if an app is restricted or a time limit is reached, AssistiveTouch will not bypass those controls. The only way to remove Screen Time restrictions is by entering the Screen Time passcode set by the parent or guardian.
I am not sure this loophole around screen time limits has been closed. Many parents have complained about this (Assistive access overrides screen time re… - Apple Community) and kids have described it as well (https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1e7n2v8/i_figured_out_how_to_bypass_screen_time/?rdt=50829).
As an experiment I set a screen time limit for myself and it appeared to have no impact when I used the app in Assistive Access mode.
This is a complicated situation. Kids are savvy and accessibility settings can offer creative workarounds
I can tell you ways this might happen, but there are more than a just a few steps and I do not know all of what/ how you are putting it together with accessibility
Anecdotally, my kid’s screen time started behaving very strangely right about the time I noticed daily use of accessibility. For a company known for great design, Apple parental controls have always been such a disappointment one wonders if it is intentional. I see evidence that parents have been complaining about this particular loophole since Spring 2024.
And some kids simply should not have a smart phone as it should be an earned privilege. Let them walk around with a dumb phone that is only capable of calls/messages and you will find how compliant they become and are more likely to follow your wishes. Once they earn your trust, then they can be rewarded.
Kids Using Assistive Access To Override Screen Time Limits