Prevent access to the Screen Time API without guardian approval and provide opaque tokens that represent apps and websites.

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Creating ApplicationToken with Decoder from string
I've been working a lot with the FamilyControls API and App Shield recently but have encountered a problem with no documentation. I used the FamilyActivitySelection to select the app store to shield(This is just for testing), and then printed out the application token: 1wfY¸êB ò S« öi #×(É?âðw ù/jQ ¿ J ïE¢? ·¿ º<Òd?ý r7¥Ãn N átJ¹ÿ85B_{VAF fC8. ,,¸¯3 T7F ±õü; ¹?v@¯ô Ä \-õ# Ò I know the application token is a Codable object so I was wondering, How do I create an application token using the Token<Application> initializer init(from: any Decoder) throws Creates a new instance by decoding from the given decoder. Using the above data? Do I have to encode first in order to decode it? For reference, the code I tried to use is: newValue.applicationTokens.encode(to: JSONEncoder) if let encoded = try? JSONEncoder().encode(newValue.applicationTokens) { data = encoded print(String(data: data, encoding: .utf8)!) } if let app = try? JSONDecoder().decode(Token<Application>.self, from: data) { let token = Application(token: app) print(token) } else { print("didn't work") } But it prints didn't work every time. What should I do differently?
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791
Apr ’25
Premature DeviceActivityEvent Triggering
Our app monitors device usage and applies a shield when the set time limit is reached. Multiple DeviceActivitySchedules can be present, each with different time limits. To display notifications at 50% of the total limit for each DeviceActivitySchedule, we set a warning time at half of the total time. However, we occasionally receive premature event callbacks. For example, consider a schedule from 13:00 to 13:30 with a single event threshold at 10 minutes and a warning time of 5 minutes. The 'eventDidReachThreshold' callback is delivered prematurely, along with the 'eventWillReachThresholdWarning' callback, at 13:10. Additionally, in some cases, when one DeviceActivitySchedule ends and the next begins immediately, DeviceActivityEvents registered for the new DeviceActivitySchedule are delivered prematurely along with the schedule start callback. For example, consider there are two DeviceActivitySchedules from 12:00 to 13:00 and from 13:00 to 14:00, each with a limit of 10 minutes and a warning time of 5 minutes. When the first schedule ends and the next begins at 13:00, the 'eventDidReachThreshold' callbacks for the events registered in the second schedule are delivered prematurely, along with the 'intervalDidStart' callback.
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405
Nov ’24
swift DeviceActivityReport run in background
DeviceActivityReport presents statistics for a device: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/deviceactivity/deviceactivityreport The problem: DeviceActivityReport can present statistics with a delay for a parent device (when DeviceActivityReport is presenting, the DeviceActivityReportExtension is called to process the statistics). One possible solution is to call DeviceActivityReport periodically throughout the day in a child device. However, the app will not be available all day. Is there any way to run DeviceActivityReport in the background? I have tried the following approach, but it didn’t work (DeviceActivityReportExtension didnt call): let hostingController: UIHostingController? = .init(rootView: DeviceActivityReport(context, filter: filter)) hostingController?.view.frame = .init(origin: .zero, size: .init(width: 100, height: 100)) hostingController?.beginAppearanceTransition(true, animated: false) hostingController?.loadView() hostingController?.viewDidLoad() try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(0.5)) hostingController?.viewWillAppear(true) hostingController?.viewWillLayoutSubviews() try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(0.5)) hostingController?.viewDidAppear(true) try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(0.5)) hostingController?.didMove(toParent: rootVC) try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(0.5)) hostingController?.viewWillLayoutSubviews() hostingController?.viewDidLayoutSubviews() hostingController?.view.layoutIfNeeded() hostingController?.view.layoutSubviews() hostingController?.endAppearanceTransition() Is there any way to run DeviceActivityReport in the background? (when app is not visible/closed). The main problem is call DeviceActivityReport
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552
Nov ’24
How to Share and Access Dynamically Updating Data Across Different Targets?
I have a app with two targets: a main DeviceActivityApp target and a DeviceReport target. In the DeviceReport target, I have a TotalActivityReport struct conforming to DeviceActivityReportScene. Inside its makeConfiguration method, I update a dynamically generated list of AppReport items. The list updates correctly in the DeviceReport target. // Define which context your scene will represent. let context: DeviceActivityReport.Context = .totalActivity // Define the custom configuration and the resulting view for this report. let content: (MonitorDeviceReport) -> TotalActivityViewFirst @ObservedObject var activityData:ActivityData func makeConfiguration(representing data: DeviceActivityResults<DeviceActivityData>) async -> MonitorDeviceReport { // Reformat the data into a configuration that can be used to create // the report's view. var appList:[AppsReport]=[] let totalActivityDuration = await data.flatMap { $0.activitySegments }.reduce(0, { $0 + $1.totalActivityDuration }) for await _data in data{ for await activity in _data.activitySegments{ for await category in activity.categories{ for await app in category.applications{ let name=app.application.localizedDisplayName ?? "No Name" let bundleId=app.application.bundleIdentifier ?? "nil" let duration=app.totalActivityDuration let appIcon=app.application.token let app=AppsReport(id:bundleId,duration:duration, name:name, icon:appIcon) appList.append(app) } } } } DispatchQueue.main.async { activityData.list=appList } return MonitorDeviceReport(duration:totalActivityDuration, apps:appList) } } public class ActivityData:ObservableObject{ @Published var list:[AppsReport]=[] public static let shared = ActivityData() }. // This is in MonitorReport target However, I need to access this dynamic list in my MyApp target, specifically in ContentView.swift. I tried using an ObservableObject (ActivityData) to share the data between targets, but the list always appears empty in the MyApp target. Here’s what I’ve tried so far: Created a shared ActivityData instance using @Published Passed the ActivityData instance to TotalActivityReport Used dependency injection and a singleton pattern for ActivityData Verified that makeConfiguration updates the list correctly in DeviceReport What could I be missing? How can I correctly share and access this data across targets?
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390
Nov ’24
FamilyActivitySelection sharing between device in Family Sharing Network
I'm working with the FamilyControls API and am running into an issue with sharing ActivityTokens between devices in the same family sharing network. Based on this documentation, ActivityTokens are only accessible and readable by other members in the family sharing network. My app is based on the idea that if one user selects the Games category in the FamilyActivityPicker, then this token can be shared with another device in the same family-sharing network and this other device can read and display the category. So my question is: If a user in the network selects an activity category in the FamilyActivityPicker, can this category token be shared, read, and used by another user in the family-sharing network?
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400
Dec ’24
DeviceActivityCenter.startMonitoring occasionally crash in the morning
When I use the screen time API, the app occasionally crashes in the morning. I mean the UI freeze lasts for more than ten seconds. But the weird thing is that I work normally during the day, that is, in the morning, when I just woke up. (There is no Do Not Disturb mode). This problem has been bothering me for several days, please help. The specific crash log is as follows, and the specific code is as follows. Model: iPhone 15 Pro, iOS: 18.1.1 Thanks for your help! Code: private func startAppMonitoring(application: ApplicationToken, seconds: Int, isFromNow: Bool) { let schedule = DeviceActivitySchedule( intervalStart: isFromNow ? Calendar.current.dateComponents([.hour, .minute, .second], from: Date()) : DateComponents(timeZone: TimeZone(identifier:TimeZone.current.identifier), hour: 0, minute: 0, second: 0), intervalEnd: DateComponents(timeZone: TimeZone(identifier:TimeZone.current.identifier), hour: 23, minute: 58, second: 59), repeats: true, warningTime: DateComponents(minute: 1) ) let event = DeviceActivityEvent( applications: Set([application]), threshold: DateComponents(second: seconds) ) let center = DeviceActivityCenter() do { try center.startMonitoring(DeviceActivityName("\(application.hashValue)Usage"), during: schedule, events: [DeviceActivityEvent.Name("\(application.hashValue)Event"): event]) } catch { print("Error starting monitoring schedule: \(error)") } } Crash report:
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498
Dec ’24
Screen Time API ( screen to select app)
Hello, we are building an app to limit children's screen time and using Screen Time API. We found bug on the screen where the user selects app category and apps, if the user selects Other category, the screen will crash (he will be empty, but if you reload screen, it will show apps again as usual). We hope that Apple will fix it someday, but we are trying to notify our users about this problem, and the problem is that we don't know what the user selects on Apple screen with apps till the user clicks Save or Done. But we need to notify him either when he clicks on the Other category or when he faces crash of this screen. We want to show a pop-up to user with explanation why screen crashed.
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555
Dec ’24
Family Controls Issues with Multiple Functionalities
I am developing an application that utilizes Family Controls to restrict the use of certain apps. Currently, I am using the following extensions: DeviceActivityMonitor, ShieldConfiguration, and ShieldAction. Issue Overview: While blocking a single application functions correctly, a problem arises when implementing multiple functionalities that use these extensions for the same application. STEPS TO REPRODUCE Functionality 1: Maximum Time in App Description: Blocks the app after 15 minutes of continuous use. Functionality 2: Conscious Opening Description: Upon opening the app, it is blocked for 10 seconds and then automatically unlocked. Steps to Reproduce the Bug: Open the Application: The app opens normally. Trigger Functionality 2 The app is blocked and displays the blocking screen corresponding to Functionality 2: Conscious Opening. Continue Using the App After 10 seconds, the app unlocks, and I continue using it. Important: If the app is closed at this point, the bug does not occur. Trigger Functionality 1 After 15 Minutes After 15 minutes of continuous use, the app should block according to Functionality 1: Maximum Time in App. Expected Behavior: The blocking screen for Functionality 1 is displayed. Actual Behavior: The blocking screen for Functionality 2 is displayed instead. Technical Observations: By adding logs in ShieldConfiguration, I observed that the configuration does not refresh correctly when the app is blocked a second time while still in use. If the app is closed and reopened, the correct blocking screen for Functionality 1 is displayed as expected.
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280
Dec ’24
Issue with Parent selecting child's apps using Family Controls API
I'm trying to accomplish the features in this video where the child device requests permission from parent to control scren time. Then the parent can choose apps on the childs phone from their phone. Everything on the childs device is working exactly like in the video. However, on the parents phone, when the FamilyActivityPicker appears, it's only the apps on the parents phone and when an app is selected, nothing changes in the FamilyActivitySelection. I found this forum post describe the same issue I am having. I have a physical device logged in the child and a simulator running as the parent. Why can't I see the child's apps on the parents phone? Is it cause I'm running one of them on a simulator?
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446
Mar ’25
detect FamilyControlsMember type without requesting authorization
I have an iOS app that installs a Content Filter in order to block certain types of content at the network/socket level. The Family Controls framework stipulates that this can only be done successfully on a FamilyControlsMember.child account type (or on a supervised device). Our initial release has been really successful, but I would say that perhaps 75% of our users are .individual (probably over 18). Perhaps a topic for another forum post is to discuss how Apple's policy here doesn't seem to be meeting a real need here for non-minors, but I'll leave that alone for now. The problem we're facing is that as far as I can tell, the only way to determine if someone has the right account type is to initiate an authorization request using AuthorizationCenter.shared.requestAuthorization(for:) and then inspect the error. I think it could really help the usability of the app if we could detect the account type and preemptively show a helpful message if the authorization could not succeed, and recommend some alternatives. But I've looked so far in vain for some way to do this. Is there any api in Family Controls (or elsewhere) that can query the system for this information? Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!
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255
Dec ’24
Possible to access CoreData/Persistent storage from DeviceActivityReportExtension?
This is more a general question of whether it is possible to share persistent/coredata from the main app to Screentime-related extensions such as DeviceActivityReportExtension. I've set my code up (e.g., App Groups, files to different targets, using nspersistentcontainer with app group url, etc.) in a way that it builds, and the extension seems to recognize my CoreData schema (able to query using fetchrequest). But the data returned is always null. So i'm wondering if it is even possible to READ app data from the extension. I understand it is not possible to write or pass data from the extension back to the app. I've also been able to read data that was saved in main app from UserDefaults in my extension.
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425
Dec ’24
Family Control Request Form
I am writing to follow up on my request for Family Control permission, which I submitted through the appropriate form over a week ago. Unfortunately, I have not yet received any response or access to the requested permissions. Could you kindly provide an update on the status of my request? If any further information or action is needed from my end, please let me know.
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377
Dec ’24
How do I persist the Family Activity Picker?
I am currently building a screen time app and I am trying to figure out how to persist the family activity picker so that when my app closes and re-opens, the app selections in it are saved. I've successfully implemented core data and figured out how to store names of the selected apps in a list like this - Core Data addApp Function - func addApp(name: String, context: NSManagedObjectContext){ let newApp = AppToken(context: context) newApp.bundleIdentifier = name saveData(context: context) } Adding app selections to Core Data (after the family activity picker has updated the selection) - .onChange(of: model.selectionToDiscourage) { for i in model.selectionToDiscourage.applications { print(i) dataController.addApp(name:i.localizedDisplayName ?? "Temp", context: moc) } Printing saved selections in a list (bundleIdentifier is my attribute for my appToken entity, but I am just pulling the names here. For whatever reason all of them end up being Temp" as shown above anyway. In other words name:i.localizedDisplayName is not working and Temp is shown in the list for every app chosen) - if dataController.savedSelection.isEmpty { Text("No Apps Selected") .foregroundColor(.gray) } else { List(dataController.savedSelection, id: \.self) { app in Text(app.bundleIdentifier ?? "Unknown App") } .scrollContentBackground(.hidden) } So, when my app closes and reopens, the list of app names persists. Now, my issue is figuring out how to write back to selectionToDiscourage and loading the family activity picker with those saved apps. I have no idea if I should be doing this a different way and if using Core Data is overkill, but I cannot figure out how it's syntactically possible to write back to this family activity picker when the app reopens - .familyActivityPicker(isPresented: $isPresented, selection:$model.selectionToDiscourage) Thank you to whoever takes a look at this!!
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1.2k
Jan ’25
Screen-time in Device Activity Report Extension vs In Phone Settings
Am showing daily screen-time of a user in my app in Device Activity Report Extension. The only way to get that is to sum up all the activityDuration of apps/categories/domains. But it differs a lot from phone's settings screen-time, why? I have debugged in details and counted manually the time spent on each app and it turned out that the calculation is appearing correctly in my app but Phone settings showing quite less time on top (Day).
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377
Jan ’25
Problem with DeviceActivitySchedule and DeviceActivityMonitor
Hey, I’m having some issues with DeviceActivitySchedule and DeviceActivityMonitor. I want to create a schedule that blocks apps (by family control) when it starts. However, even when the schedule is supposed to start on this iPhone, nothing happens, and no logs are being recorded main target: // TestView_.swift // Sloth // // Created by on 11/01/2025. // import SwiftUI import DeviceActivity import FamilyControls import ManagedSettings struct TestView_: View { var body: some View { VStack(spacing: 20) { Text("Test DeviceActivityMonitor") .font(.title) Button("Start test mon") { let now = Date() let start = Calendar.current.date(byAdding: .minute, value: 2, to: now)! let end = Calendar.current.date(byAdding: .minute, value: 20, to: now)! print("thd") DeviceScheduleTester().scheduleTestActivity(startDate: start, endDate: end) } } .padding() } } extension DeviceActivityName { static let daily = DeviceActivityName("daily") } DeviceActivityMonitor: class DeviceScheduleTester { private let center = DeviceActivityCenter() func scheduleTestActivity(startDate: Date, endDate: Date) { let calendar = Calendar.current let startComponents = calendar.dateComponents([.hour, .minute], from: startDate) let endComponents = calendar.dateComponents([.hour, .minute], from: endDate) // Tworzymy schedule let schedule = DeviceActivitySchedule( intervalStart: startComponents, intervalEnd: endComponents, repeats: true ) do { try center.startMonitoring(.daily, during:schedule) print("startMonit /(\(schedule))") } catch { print("ghfgh") } } } struct TestView__Previews: PreviewProvider { static var previews: some View { TestView_() } } DeviceActivityMonitor target: // BlockingAppsMonitorExtension // // Created by on 10/01/2025. import DeviceActivity import FamilyControls import ManagedSettings import os let logger = Logger() public class BlockingAppsMonitor: DeviceActivityMonitor { private let store = ManagedSettingsStore() public override func intervalDidStart(for activity: DeviceActivityName) { super.intervalDidStart(for: activity) print("Rozpoczęcie interwału blokowania \(activity.rawValue)") logger.info("intervalDidStart") startBlocking() } public override func intervalDidEnd(for activity: DeviceActivityName) { super.intervalDidEnd(for: activity) print("Zakończenie interwału blokowania \(activity.rawValue)") logger.info("intervalDidend") stopBlocking() } @discardableResult private func startBlocking() -&gt; Int { print("number of unique apps") return 51 store.shield.applicationCategories = .all() // return exceptions.count } private func stopBlocking() { store.shield.applicationCategories = nil store.shield.applications = nil } } INB4: In both files are added family controls Secent file is added in DeviceActivityMonitor target. Apple answer please?
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505
Jan ’25