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.



Posted on Feb 9, 2025 8:52 AM

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Posted on Feb 9, 2025 9:30 PM

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.

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Feb 9, 2025 9:30 PM in response to monkey_88

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.

Feb 15, 2025 9:36 AM in response to SravanKrA

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.


Feb 15, 2025 10:19 AM in response to monkey_88

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

Feb 17, 2025 11:48 AM in response to Community User

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. 

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Kids Using Assistive Access To Override Screen Time Limits

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