For iPhones and iPads to run correctly(ie to be "healthy"), there are two key things that need to be enabled

  1. Location tracking Services for the ScreenCoach App need to be set to "Always Allowed"
    • This is to keep ScreenCoach running all the time, so it  can track the time used 
  2. Enable Family Controls or ScreenTime Controls 
    • This is needed to block the apps when not allowed to run
    • see Family Controls with Apple Screen time requirements below
    • NOTE (Family controls is the preferred option as this is bullet proofs it, so kids can not bypass it !)


Once #1 and #2 are enabled on the device each session on that device will be tracked, and Apps blocked when they have no more play time allowance left or it is a time of the day not allowed.


Set location Services to always allowed

Check that the location tracking services are set to always allowed.

there are two ways to get the the iOS settings (ScreenCoach Section)

  1. Go to the iOS settings, then scroll down the list of apps to "ScreenCoach" (you can also do a search at the top of the list of settings)
  2. From the ScreenCoach app (Swtich to a parent user)
    • From the hamburger menu on the top left, select "App Settings" then turn on location permissions. 

3. Once you are on the ScreenCoach settings section, set the location to "Always" if it is not already set

NOTE: Please tell your kids not to turn off location services, as it will block their apps!
Even if the the iPhone shows a message saying "in the last 3 days, ScreenCoach has used your location 10 times, do you want to keep allowing this?", they should not be turning it off. 


Family Controls with Apple Screen time requirements 


In order to enable Apple family controls for ScreenCoach to make it bullet proof (so kids can not bypass it)

The iPad/iPhone MUST have ALL of the following

  1. The Apple Id of the iPad/iPhone MUST be a child Apple ID of an Apple family**
  2. ScreenTime enabled for the child family member
  3. The Child Apple ID under the Age of 18
  4. No MDM (mobile device management installed)
    • If the device is used at a school and has managed by a school, it is likely they are using an MDM


**NOTE to have an Apple Family, you must have a 2nd apple device (iPhone/iPad/Mac) used by the Apple family organiser


What does "Can't bypass mean ?

  • Using Apple family controls means your child: 
    • CAN NOT delete the ScreenCoach app
    • CAN NOT turn off Screen Time for the ScreenCoach app or for the device it self
    • Will have Apps blocked when not allowed to use the device or if the ScreenCoach app is not running.


What if I can't enable Apple family controls ?


There is a PLAN B, however there is one limitation, You use the "Screen Time" controls only.

This option can be used for Adults or Child devices were "Apple Family Controls" can not be used (as per previous section above)


This is the generic error the Apple iOS shows if the Apple Family controls can not be enabled

  • unfortunately we can't tell you will of the 4 issues could be the cause of the issue due to the Apple limitations



The limitation is that the user of that device can turn off ScreenTime for the device or turn it off just for ScreenCoach.

However there re a safety net, the device will show up as unhealthy. Unhealthy devices are listed on your parent dashboard and you are also emailed each night a list of misconfigured devices, with tips on what to do to fix them


NOTE: You should enable the option to NOT ALLOW  your child to delete apps on their iOS devices, this will mean that they can't delete the ScreenCoach App,



Where to enable Apple family controls

From the ScreenCoach app 

  • Switch to Parent user

     
  • From the hamburger menu, select "App Settings" 


  • Enable all permissions on this screen including "Family ScreenTIme Control". 
  • Agree to all the pop-ups that come up when you enable the permissions. 

Removing MDM (Mobile Device Management)

If you need to remove the MDM  watch the first third of this video on YouTube   

MDMs are using by Schools & workplaces and by some other parental devices management tools.

You cant use an MDM and Apple ScreenTime controls at the same time as they both allow low level controls of the device.


See other related articles: 


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