Before downloading SC. First step is to make sure the child device is logged in with a child Apple ID. NOTE that some parents give their old iPads to their children and do not set up a new Apple ID this will cause issues, please change this before downloading ScreenCoach. Follow the steps below. 

If your child device is already set up with a Child Apple ID, you can skip Step 1.


Step 1: Create a child account for the device: (Apple ID)


  • On your parent device, go to Settings > Tap on your Apple Family on the top and tap on the + icon on the top right

  • Tap on Create Child Account


 

  • Enter the child's full name and date of birth.

  • It will stay as a child account until the child is 13.

  • It will ask you to verify yourself as an adult first with your Apple email.

  • And then you can start to create the Apple ID for the child with email, you may need a phone number to verify this child account later.


It is MUCH better to make sure the device is part of an apple family before downloading the app.


  • Log out of the parent Apple ID from the child device. 

    • Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign Out.

  • Log in to the child account.

    • Go to Settings > Sign In.

    • Enter the child's Apple ID and password



Step 2: Setting up ScreenCoach App:


  1. On your parent device, Open ScreenCoach > Tap the hamburger menu on the top left > Device List.

  2. Now tap the lightning button in the bottom right and tap Link a device. 

  3. On the child's phone, download ScreenCoach and tap Login.

  4. Scan the QR code on your parent device, or enter the one time alphanumeric code displayed in the child device on your parent device.


  • Enable all necessary permissions on your child’s device. 

  • Notifications permission

  • Location permission

    • Set to always allow location tracking

  1. To enable App Blocking, 

    • Switch to a parent user on the child device

    • Select “App Settings” from the menu

    • Enable Family Control - Tap "Allow" for the prompt that comes up. 


Step 3: Categorise Apps you want to block/allow. 


  • Open the ScreenCoach app on the child's phone.
  • Tap the hamburger menu on the top left and switch user - login as a Parent
  • Go to Admin > App categories.
  • Scroll down and browse through the categories of apps.
  • Select the category under which you want to block an app.
  • Tap on Apps under iOS under the category and select the apps you want to block.
  • Note: the App category that says “Always Allowed” - this is for the apps which are always allowed for use by the children - for example, Podcasts, Music, Photos, etc.



Step 4: Block Apps


  • Open the ScreenCoach app on the child's phone.
  • Tap the hamburger menu on the top left and switch user - login as a Parent
  • Go to Hamburger Menu > Manage Modes 
  • Choose the mode under which you want to block apps
  • Go to the Apps tab and enable "Restrict some Apps"
  • Turn on the App category you want to block (the one where you added apps in the above step for blocking).







Always Allow apps


The App category that says “Always Allowed” - this is for you to add the apps which are always allowed for use by the children - for example, Podcasts, Music, Photos, etc. 



Allow some apps


You can also whitelist apps and allow just some of the apps to be accessed by your children. This can be done with the following steps:

  • Open the ScreenCoach app on the child's phone.

  • Tap the hamburger menu on the top left and switch user - Switch user as a Parent

  • Add the Apps to a category (follow Step 3). 

  • Go back to Hamburger menu > Manage Modes > Apps tab > Allow some apps and choose the category you just added the apps to. 

  • Note: "Allow some apps" option enables the child to use only the apps you have chosen for this mode. All other apps will be blocked.





Note: Apple has stricter limitations than Android in terms of app blocking. With iOS, app blocking can only be configured through the ScreenCoach app installed on the child's device. Conversely, Android allows app blocking to be managed through both the ScreenCoach app and the web portal, offering greater flexibility.


To view this article in a new tab, click on the link below.

Setting up App Blocking with ScreenCoach on iOS - The Complete Guide