Screen time, administrator's password, and history

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Screen time, administrator's password, and history

When I click "view history," it requires the administrator password, even though I'm not trying to change Screen Time settings. My guardian set all screen time to allow all websites for like 20 minutes, and they've disallowed all sites except particular ones, but I thought that would only apply to internet sites.

Why should viewing history require the administrator's password? That shouldn't be an attempt to change screen time settings. Is this a bug? I'm able to view history on my iPad, even though screen time settings disallow all sites except particular ones and has limits in screen time.

I'm sure my parents would never disallow me to view history. And viewing my own history should also not require administrative privileges.

It also happens when I add a page to the reading list. That shouldn't be an attempt to change screen time settings, because I don't have that issue on the iPad. It shouldn't require the administrator's password.

MacBook Air

Posted on Nov 5, 2025 12:38 PM

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Answer 1

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

59,288 points

Nov 5, 2025 1:09 PM in response to WorldQuestioner

You are confusing Screen Time with User privileges on the Mac. What type of User are you listed as when going to  > System Settings > Users & Groups? The Admin user has complete control over the computer and some changes or actions will require the Admin Password to proceed.

The requirement for the Admin Password to add a website to a Reading List may be due to a corrupted install or someone trying to change the User Library directly. It is possible to Repair Disk Permissions, but that is also something that can only be done by the Admin.

The reason why you see a difference in the iPad and Mac is because the iPad is a single user device and has no concept of multiple users where every file has permissions that prevents changing from other users. Again, nothing to do with Screen Time.

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