FAQ

If the child device is signed in, a parent can temporarily unlock it:

1. On the child's device, go to the gear icon in the top-right corner of the dashboard
2. Enter your parent passcode to access Parent Settings
3. Tap Remove App Protection
4. Confirm the action — this will unlock the device and sign out

If the child device is signed out (on the sign-in page):

1. Tap the gear icon on the sign-in page
2. Tap Remove App Protection
3. Enter your parent passcode to confirm

ScreenX uses Apple's Screen Time protection to prevent uninstallation on child devices. To remove the app:

1. Open the ScreenX app on the child's device
2. Go to Parent Settings (gear icon → enter parent passcode)
3. Tap Remove App Protection
4. Confirm — this will remove the protection and allow uninstallation

If the app is on the sign-in page (signed out):

1. Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner of the sign-in page
2. Tap Remove App Protection
3. Enter your parent passcode to confirm

You can also remove the protection from iOS system settings:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → ScreenX
2. Disable Screen Time Restriction (the parent iCloud account password will be required)

If you signed out and the device still has Screen Time protection active, you can remove the protection from the sign-in page:

1. Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner of the sign-in page
2. Tap Remove App Protection
3. Enter your parent passcode to confirm

You can also remove the protection from iOS system settings:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → ScreenX
2. Disable Screen Time Restriction (the parent iCloud account password will be required)

The parent passcode is accessible from the parent app:

1. Open ScreenX on your parent device
2. Go to Family Settings
3. Tap Passcode to enter the passcode management page
4. Your current and previous passcode are displayed there

Why is there a previous passcode? When you change your passcode, the old one is kept temporarily as a backup. This is because child devices sync the passcode periodically — the previous passcode remains valid until all child devices have received the new one.

ScreenX is a family screen time control app for iOS. Parents can manage their children's device usage by setting time limits, and children earn screen time through a balance system.

The app uses Apple's Screen Time framework to enforce limits directly on the device, even when the device is offline.

Prerequisites:

• The child's device must be signed into a child iCloud account that is in the same Apple Family Sharing group as the parent
• Parent Controls should be set up in iOS Settings (see steps below)

Step 1: Set up Parent Controls (on your parent device)

1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → [child name] → Set Up Parent Controls
2. Content & Privacy Restrictions: Choose an appropriate age
3. Sensitive Photos & Videos: Review and tap Continue
4. Screen Distance: Review and tap Continue
5. Keep Track of Screen Time: Recommended to turn on
6. Set Time Away from Screens (Downtime): Choose "Set Up Later" — this is critical, as Downtime will override ScreenX and prevent the device from being unlocked
7. App & Website Limits: Set as desired, or choose "Set Up Later"
8. Passcode for Parent Control: Set a 4-digit code (we recommend using the same passcode as in ScreenX)
9. After setup, go back to Settings → Screen Time → [child name] and verify that Downtime shows "Off"

Step 2: Add Child in ScreenX (on your parent device)

1. On the parent app, tap Add Child to create a child profile
2. A device code will be generated for the child

Step 3: Link the child's device (on the child's device)

1. On the child's device, install ScreenX and select Child on the sign-in page
2. Enter the child's name and the device code
3. The app will guide you through a setup process, confirming the device is on a child iCloud account and that Downtime is off
4. The app will request Screen Time permission — the parent will need to sign in with their Apple ID on the child's device to grant this

You can configure which apps remain available even when the device is locked by ScreenX:

1. On your parent device, go to Settings → Screen Time → [child name] → Always Allowed
2. Add or remove apps from the always-allowed list

Apps on this list will not be blocked when ScreenX locks the device, so the child can always access them (e.g., Phone, Messages, educational apps).

This is most likely caused by Downtime being enabled in iOS Screen Time settings. When Downtime is active, it overrides ScreenX's ability to lock and unlock the device.

To fix this:

1. On your parent device, go to Settings → Screen Time → [child name] → Downtime
2. Make sure Downtime is turned off

ScreenX manages screen time independently — it does not use iOS Downtime. If Downtime is enabled, it can interfere with ScreenX's lock/unlock behavior and cause unexpected results.

The lock screen appears when your child's screen time balance has run out. To unlock:

• On the child's device, tap the time button on the lock screen dashboard to start a new session (if balance is available)
• Or from the parent app, add bonus time to the child's balance

ScreenX uses Apple's FamilyControls framework to manage screen time on child devices. This permission allows the app to:

• Lock and unlock apps on the device based on the child's screen time balance
• Prevent the app from being uninstalled without parent authorization

This permission requires the device to be signed into a child iCloud account that is part of your Apple Family Sharing group.

To delete your account, delete your family. On the parent app, go to Family Settings → Delete Family. This will immediately sign out all family members.

After 15 days, all data — including user accounts, child profiles, devices information, and session history — will be permanently deleted.

If you change your mind, you can restore your family by signing in with the same Apple account within the 15-day grace period.

Parents can sign in on multiple devices. Each device is registered separately with the server.

Children can have multiple devices linked to their profile. Each device is linked independently using a device code from the parent app.