We are developing a parental control application in SwiftUI with features like app blocking and screen time management. We are using the Family Control API along with Apple Family Sharing, allowing parents to add multiple children to the family group. We have followed the apple documentation still we are facing following issues: App Blocking Issue: The family picker does not display each child's name separately or their apps individually. Instead, it shows all children's apps together, making it difficult to block apps for a specific child. Screen Time Data Issue: We receive the total screen time usage for all children combined rather than separate screen time data for each child. Syncing Delay: When a new child is added to the Family Sharing group, we are unsure how long it takes for their apps to sync and appear on the parent’s device.

Apple Feedback Ticket: FB16804936 Background We develop a parental control application called Adora Kids (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adora-kids/id6443787669) that requires "Location Always" permission to function properly. Our app has Screen Time authorization and provides monitoring services for parents. Issue We are experiencing a recurring problem where child users receive the system notification "Adora accessed your location in the background" every few days. This frequently results in children disabling location permissions, which prevents our app from functioning as intended. Current Approach and Limitations We have explored using Content & Privacy Restrictions for Location Services as a potential solution, but have encountered two significant limitations: These restrictions cannot be accessed programmatically via the ManagedSettings framework (unlike AppStoreSettings and other restrictions). The current implementation is "all-or-nothing" - enabling location restrictions blocks permission changes for ALL apps on the device, preventing children from granting legitimate location access to other applications. Questions Is there a way to programmatically access and manage Content & Privacy Restrictions for Location Services through the ManagedSettings framework that we might have overlooked? Are there any recommended approaches for apps with Screen Time authorization to prevent users from changing specific permissions (particularly location) while still allowing them to manage permissions for other apps? Does Apple have plans to implement app-specific permission locking for apps with Screen Time authorization in future iOS releases? Are there any alternative approaches or workarounds that other developers have successfully implemented for this use case? Any guidance from the developer community or Apple engineers would be greatly appreciated. This is a critical functionality issue affecting the reliability of our parental control service. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

I'm currently running into an issue during the App Store review process where my reviewer isn't liking how the Screen Time API is being used to hide apps. For some context, my app uses the Managed Settings and Device Activity frameworks in the Screen Time API to allow users to set restrictions on their personal devices and save those restrictions into a preference object that they can switch between. This was detailed as my app's primary purpose in my Family Controls & Personal Device Usage Entitlement Request, which was approved last year. After around a year of working on this app, it's finally done and ready for submission to the App Store. However, my App Reviewer recently rejected the app with this single complaint: Guideline 2.5.1 - Performance - Software Requirements The app uses public APIs in an unapproved manner, which does not comply with guideline 2.5.1. Specifically, your app uses ScreenTime API to hide apps. Since there is no accurate way of predicting how an API may be modified and what effects those modifications may have, unapproved uses of public APIs in apps is not allowed. Next Steps Please revise the app to ensure that documented APIs are used in the manner prescribed in the documentation. All I'm doing is passing a set of Application objects to ManagedSettings.ApplicationSettings.blockedApplications, I'm not doing anything special. The documentation for this API itself states: The system hides blocked applications and prevents the user from launching them. In my reply, I let the reviewer know Regarding Guideline 2.5.1, I believe my use of the Screen Time API appears to align with Apple's documented intended functionality. The specific API I'm using, ManagedSettings.ApplicationSettings.blockedApplications, is explicitly documented by Apple as: "The system hides blocked applications and prevents the user from launching them." This is why I used the term "hide" in my app's marketing and functionality descriptions - I was directly referencing Apple's own terminology for this feature. The documentation clearly indicates this is an approved capability of this API. The source for this documentation can be found here: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/managedsettings/applicationsettings/blockedapplications-swift.property. I've also provided a screenshot of this documentation below. Despite providing a link to the documentation and a screenshot that shows the text from Apple explicitly stating "The system hides blocked applications", the App Reviewer just copy-and-pasted the same text in their reply and rejected the app. I should also note that we don't have control over how the system handles the Application set we pass into ManagedSettings.ApplicationSettings.blockedApplications, the system will always try to "hide" these apps as specified in the documentation. We can't change this behavior. Has anyone else faced this sort of rejection before? Is using ManagedSettings.ApplicationSettings.blockedApplications now considered an illegal use of the API? Or are we not allowed to use the words noted in the documentation of this API? The app rejection suggested I "consult with fellow developers and Apple engineers on the Apple Developer Forums." Any guidance here would be much appreciated as I continue to appeal this. For any Apple staff members reading this post, I can provide the Submission ID of the App Review privately if needed to help resolve this issue.

Hi I keep adding my development team member and he is not getting the invite email. Path Users and Access -> add team member

Questions I am developing a social screen time application that enables users to create “sprints” and set sprint goals—essentially time limits on usage for selected applications. For this functionality, users select the apps they wish to manage using the FamilyActivitySelection interface (from the FamilyControls framework). However, our backend needs to distinguish each application uniquely (for example, via the app’s bundle identifier) in order to correctly map and enforce user-defined sprint goals. Unfortunately, we are encountering an issue where retrieving the bundle identifier directly from the FamilyActivitySelection is returning nil. As a result, we are unable to globally identify the selected apps. Could you please advise if there is an alternative method or property available in the FamilyControls API that would allow us to uniquely identify the apps? Alternatively, is there another approach recommended by Apple for obtaining a global identifier for applications selected via FamilyActivitySelection? Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your guidance on how to resolve this issue. Code The following is the print statement I used to check if bundleIdentifier is nil after I stored user's selections to the variable selection using familyActivityPicker: for app in selection!.applications { let bundleId = app.bundleIdentifier ?? "Unknown Bundle ID" let token = app.token let localizedDisplayName = app.localizedDisplayName ?? "Unknown Localized Display Name" print("Selected app bundle identifier: \(bundleId)") print("localizedDisplayName: \(localizedDisplayName)") } Console log result I received from the print statement above: Selected app bundle identifier: Unknown Bundle ID localizedDisplayName: Unknown Localized Display Name

When the iCloud Passwords Chrome extension is on, there is a 400-500ms lag between clicking on a non-password field and the UI reflecting any changes made by a .on("focus") jQuery listener. When the extension is disabled, there is no lag. See below the performance profiles for the same 4 click events. Extension ON: Extension OFF:

We developing a app called Parentgeenee. It's a Parental control app having any limitations on app block from child mobile. Trying to block more than 500 apps but not blocking if any particular method to block a bulk apps.

Hello, I have an issue with DurationUntilRemoval—it never deletes my profile. I installed it via my MDM server and also tried installing it using Apple Configurator 2. The device is in supervised mode. Here is my profile: ** DurationUntilRemoval** ** 3600** <key>PayloadContent</key> <array> <dict> <key>PayloadDescription</key> <string>Configures restrictions</string> <key>PayloadDisplayName</key> <string>Restrictions</string> <key>PayloadIdentifier</key> <string>com.apple.applicationaccess.82B4587F-86F6-406B-9D27-03A799379EB5</string> <key>PayloadType</key> <string>com.apple.applicationaccess</string> <key>PayloadUUID</key> <string>82B4587F-86F6-406B-9D27-03A799379EB5</string> <key>PayloadVersion</key> <integer>1</integer> <key>allowActivityContinuation</key> <true/> <key>allowAddingGameCenterFriends</key> <true/> <key>allowAirPlayIncomingRequests</key> <true/> <key>allowAirPrint</key> <true/> <key>allowAirPrintCredentialsStorage</key> <true/> <key>allowAirPrintiBeaconDiscovery</key> <true/> <key>allowAppCellularDataModification</key> <true/> <key>allowAppClips</key> <true/> <key>allowAppInstallation</key> <true/> <key>allowAppRemoval</key> <true/> <key>allowApplePersonalizedAdvertising</key> <true/> <key>allowAssistant</key> <true/> <key>allowAssistantWhileLocked</key> <true/> <key>allowAutoCorrection</key> <true/> <key>allowAutoUnlock</key> <true/> <key>allowAutomaticAppDownloads</key> <true/> <key>allowBluetoothModification</key> <true/> <key>allowBookstore</key> <true/> <key>allowBookstoreErotica</key> <true/> <key>allowCamera</key> <true/> <key>allowCellularPlanModification</key> <true/> <key>allowChat</key> <true/> <key>allowCloudBackup</key> <true/> <key>allowCloudDocumentSync</key> <true/> <key>allowCloudPhotoLibrary</key> <true/> <key>allowContinuousPathKeyboard</key> <true/> <key>allowDefinitionLookup</key> <true/> <key>allowDeviceNameModification</key> <true/> <key>allowDeviceSleep</key> <true/> <key>allowDictation</key> <true/> <key>allowESIMModification</key> <true/> <key>allowEnablingRestrictions</key> <true/> <key>allowEnterpriseAppTrust</key> <true/> <key>allowEnterpriseBookBackup</key> <true/> <key>allowEnterpriseBookMetadataSync</key> <true/> <key>allowEraseContentAndSettings</key> <true/> <key>allowExplicitContent</key> <true/> <key>allowFilesNetworkDriveAccess</key> <true/> <key>allowFilesUSBDriveAccess</key> <true/> <key>allowFindMyDevice</key> <true/> <key>allowFindMyFriends</key> <true/> <key>allowFingerprintForUnlock</key> <true/> <key>allowFingerprintModification</key> <true/> <key>allowGameCenter</key> <true/> <key>allowGlobalBackgroundFetchWhenRoaming</key> <true/> <key>allowInAppPurchases</key> <true/> <key>allowKeyboardShortcuts</key> <true/> <key>allowManagedAppsCloudSync</key> <true/> <key>allowMultiplayerGaming</key> <true/> <key>allowMusicService</key> <true/> <key>allowNews</key> <true/> <key>allowNotificationsModification</key> <true/> <key>allowOpenFromManagedToUnmanaged</key> <true/> <key>allowOpenFromUnmanagedToManaged</key> <true/> <key>allowPairedWatch</key> <true/> <key>allowPassbookWhileLocked</key> <true/> <key>allowPasscodeModification</key> <true/> <key>allowPasswordAutoFill</key> <true/> <key>allowPasswordProximityRequests</key> <true/> <key>allowPasswordSharing</key> <true/> <key>allowPersonalHotspotModification</key> <true/> <key>allowPhotoStream</key> <true/> <key>allowPredictiveKeyboard</key> <true/> <key>allowProximitySetupToNewDevice</key> <true/> <key>allowRadioService</key> <true/> <key>allowRemoteAppPairing</key> <true/> <key>allowRemoteScreenObservation</key> <true/> <key>allowSafari</key> <true/> <key>allowScreenShot</key> <true/> <key>allowSharedStream</key> <true/> <key>allowSpellCheck</key> <true/> <key>allowSpotlightInternetResults</key> <true/> <key>allowSystemAppRemoval</key> <true/> <key>allowUIAppInstallation</key> <true/> <key>allowUIConfigurationProfileInstallation</key> <true/> <key>allowUSBRestrictedMode</key> <true/> <key>allowUnpairedExternalBootToRecovery</key> <false/> <key>allowUntrustedTLSPrompt</key> <true/> <key>allowVPNCreation</key> <true/> <key>allowVideoConferencing</key> <true/> <key>allowVoiceDialing</key> <true/> <key>allowWallpaperModification</key> <true/> <key>allowiTunes</key> <true/> <key>forceAirDropUnmanaged</key> <false/> <key>forceAirPrintTrustedTLSRequirement</key> <false/> <key>forceAssistantProfanityFilter</key> <false/> <key>forceAuthenticationBeforeAutoFill</key> <false/> <key>forceAutomaticDateAndTime</key> <false/> <key>forceClassroomAutomaticallyJoinClasses</key> <false/> <key>forceClassroomRequestPermissionToLeaveClasses</key> <false/> <key>forceClassroomUnpromptedAppAndDeviceLock</key> <false/> <key>forceClassroomUnpromptedScreenObservation</key> <false/> <key>forceDelayedSoftwareUpdates</key> <false/> <key>forceEncryptedBackup</key> <false/> <key>forceITunesStorePasswordEntry</key> <false/> <key>forceLimitAdTracking</key> <false/> <key>forceWatchWristDetection</key> <false/> <key>forceWiFiPowerOn</key> <false/> <key>forceWiFiWhitelisting</key> <false/> <key>ratingApps</key> <integer>1000</integer> <key>ratingMovies</key> <integer>1000</integer> <key>ratingRegion</key> <string>us</string> <key>ratingTVShows</key> <integer>1000</integer> <key>safariAcceptCookies</key> <real>2</real> <key>safariAllowAutoFill</key> <true/> <key>safariAllowJavaScript</key> <true/> <key>safariAllowPopups</key> <true/> <key>safariForceFraudWarning</key> <false/> </dict> </array> <key>PayloadDisplayName</key> <string>papala</string> <key>PayloadIdentifier</key> <string>MacBook-Pro-Kyrylo-2.4A2954CA-57A5-44D9-8AD3-546407A0CAD4</string> <key>PayloadRemovalDisallowed</key> <false/> <key>PayloadType</key> <string>Configuration</string> <key>PayloadUUID</key> <string>BEED8448-8866-43EB-AC3C-1C3C652AADE4</string> <key>PayloadVersion</key> <integer>1</integer> it's just test profile, without difficult stuff, but it doesn't work too What is wrong?

After reading Apple documentation (FamilyControls, DeviceActivity, ManagedSettings, ManagedSettingsUI, ScreenTime) and testing the API, I do not find a way to get the child's device apps on the parent device in order to block them or disable them for a certain time. Is there a way of doing it? Or can it only be done locally on the child device?

Sometimes, when I close the lid using the MacOs version Sequoia 15.2, with the configuration to require a password for 5 seconds, the system does not ask for the password as expected. This happens sometimes even though nothing preventing the system from sleeping when you close and open the lid, but it still seems like a security concern. Is there some known issue related to this problem or a way to avoid it? Result of command pmset -g: Configuration:

I am developing a parental control app using Apple’s Screen Time API and FamilyControls Framework. My goal is to allow parents to remotely block apps on their child’s device from their own phone. Anyone have any idea how can i do that?

I am developing a parental control app using Apple’s Screen Time API and FamilyControls Framework. My goal is to allow parents to remotely block apps on their child’s device from their own phone. Does anyone have any idea how I can achieve that?

I'm creating an app which gamifies Screen Time reduction. I'm running into an issue with apples Screen Time setting where the user can disable my apps "Screen Time access" and get around losing the game. Is there a way to detect when this setting is disabled for my app? I've tried using AuthorizationCenter.shared.authorizationStatus but this didn't do the trick. Does anyone have an ideas?

So what's the point of being able to block unto 50 apps per ManagedSettingStore via store.application.blockedApplications (which works fine) until removing the blocked apps or clearing the store. Where the following occurs if you have a social networking group with more than 9 apps only 9 apps will go back into the group and all the others will go onto the springboard all jumbled if you end up with an empty group then tap into the group, it is removed then during the reset all apps are placed back on to the springboard

Hello Apple development team, I have developed an App for screen time management, which mainly uses ScreenTimeAPI. Users can set certain Apps to be disabled during a certain period of time. After the App is released, users often report that the settings do not take effect as expected. I have seen many developers on the forum reporting that the DeviceActivityMonitor extension sometimes does not trigger callbacks. Based on this background, I have the following questions: Is it a known problem that the DeviceActivityMonitor extension sometimes does not trigger callbacks? If so, are there any means to avoid or reduce the probability of occurrence? In addition to being killed by the system when the running memory exceeds (I just called some ScreenTimeAPI and accessed UserDefaults in the extension, which should not exceed the running memory), under what other circumstances will the DeviceActivityMonitor extension be killed by the system? Will it automatically recover after being killed? Will some callbacks be called when killing? Does ManagedSettingsStore have a life cycle? How do you avoid conflicts when configuring the underlying operating mechanism of multiple stores? This is a random problem. I have never encountered it during development and debugging, but users often report it. thanks

Managed iOS/iPad devices are struck with no network under below conditions Enrolling a Supervised iOS device Send InstallProfile command with AppLock payload (https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/applock) Now when the above managed device loses network connection with MDM server due to unknown network issues - the device is out of contact with MDM server and device is locked. Since such AppLock payload installed devices are placed in remote locations, it becomes difficult for Admins to recover such devices with no network connectivity. The devices have to be brought in from remote location and recover them. Under such conditions, it would be better to allow the end user to change the Network configuration manually to reconnect the device with MDM server. This option can also be allowed only when the device can’t ping MDM server.

I'm using ShieldActionExtention to make a HTTP request to a server when a user selects one of the buttons on their app shield. The apps are shielded, but nothing happens when I press one of the shield buttons. There is no message on the server signaling an HTTP request and nothing is printed to the XCode console while in debug mode. Here is my code for my Shield Action Extention // ShieldActionExtension.swift // ShieldAction // // import Foundation import UIKit import SwiftUI import ManagedSettings // Override the functions below to customize the shield actions used in various situations. // The system provides a default response for any functions that your subclass doesn't override. // Make sure that your class name matches the NSExtensionPrincipalClass in your Info.plist. class ShieldActionExtension: ShieldActionDelegate { override func handle(action: ShieldAction, for application: ApplicationToken, completionHandler: @escaping (ShieldActionResponse) -> Void) { print(action) let deviceID = UserDefaults.standard.string(forKey: UserDefaultKeys.userID.rawValue)! Task{ do{ print("sending to server") try await PlayerLosesGame(playerID: deviceID) completionHandler(.close) } catch { print("error occured on the shield") completionHandler(.none) } } } override func handle(action: ShieldAction, for webDomain: WebDomainToken, completionHandler: @escaping (ShieldActionResponse) -> Void) { print(action) let deviceID = UserDefaults.standard.string(forKey: UserDefaultKeys.userID.rawValue)! Task{ do{ print("sending to server") try await PlayerLosesGame(playerID: deviceID) completionHandler(.close) } catch { print("error occured on the shield") completionHandler(.none) } } } override func handle(action: ShieldAction, for category: ActivityCategoryToken, completionHandler: @escaping (ShieldActionResponse) -> Void) { print(action) let deviceID = UserDefaults.standard.string(forKey: UserDefaultKeys.userID.rawValue)! Task{ do{ print("sending to server") try await PlayerLosesGame(playerID: deviceID) completionHandler(.close) } catch { print("error occured on the shield") completionHandler(.none) } } //completionHandler(.close) } func PlayerLosesGame(playerID: String) async throws{ let url = URL(string: ServerConnection.GetWebsite() + "game/find?playerID="+playerID)! var request = URLRequest(url: url) request.httpMethod = "GET" print("trying this out") let (data, _) = try await URLSession.shared.data(for: request) } } I believe all my targets are set up correctly and should be working. Why is nothing happening?

Hi there, I am flagging for extra attention that it feels to me that something feels extra off about Screen Time tracking in iOS 18.3 Beta. There's been many days now where I can't reconcile the time spent (it's much higher than expected - by multiple hours). Feedback is here with an image: FB16270245. Not sure if happens on Beta 2 - just upgraded.

After setting up all permissions, family members not showing up on the device list

I have noticed that when I select the app token of the youtube app to be blocked via a ManagedSettingsStore, the youtube website is blocked as well (which is a good and intended behavior IMO). But how do I know in the ShieldConfigurationDataSource’s override func configuration(shielding webDomain: WebDomain, in category: ActivityCategory) -> ShieldConfiguration to which ManagedSettingsStore the WebDomain’s token is related? We use different ManagedSettingsStores for different block purposes, which differentiate in their ShieldConfiguration. Thanks a lot and have a great day!