Family Controls

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

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Open parent app from ShieldAction extension in iOS
When I tap on one of the buttons in the ShieldAction extension I want to close the shield and open the parent app instead of the shielded app. Is there any way of doing this using the Screen Time API? class ShieldActionExtension: ShieldActionDelegate {      override func handle(action: ShieldAction, for application: ApplicationToken, completionHandler: @escaping (ShieldActionResponse) -> Void) {     // Handle the action as needed.           let store = ManagedSettingsStore()               switch action {     case .primaryButtonPressed:       //TODO - open parent app       completionHandler(.defer)     case .secondaryButtonPressed:       //remove shield       store.shield.applications?.remove(application)       completionHandler(.defer)         @unknown default:       fatalError()     }   }   }
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Self Hiding App
I’m designing a voluntary self-control/safety app for adults using FamilyControls/ManagedSettings with individual authorization. When a user voluntarily starts a timed protection session, can the app hide or block itself for the duration of that session so the user cannot easily locate the app and uninstall it? When the DeviceActivity schedule ends, could an extension remove that restriction so the app becomes available again automatically? I understand that an adult may ultimately be able to revoke Family Controls authorization through Settings. I’m specifically asking whether the app itself can be hidden/blocked during the active session.
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Family Controls authorization error
Hi everyone, I'm developing an iOS app that uses Apple's Family Controls / Screen Time APIs. I've encountered a strange issue when testing with multiple devices: The app works normally on the first device. When I install the same TestFlight build on a second device, the user completes the Family Controls authorization successfully. Immediately after authorization, an error appears: "Family Controls is only available for one application." After dismissing the error, the app still works normally. Screen Time / Shield functionality also appears to work as expected. The issue seems to occur specifically when authorizing the app on a second device. Has anyone encountered this error before?
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Family Controls "App and Website Usage" entitlement: .approvedWithDataAccess in development but .approved in TestFlight/App Store distribution
My app receives AuthorizationStatus.approvedWithDataAccess when run from a development build, but the identical code returns only .approved when run from a TestFlight / App Store (distribution) build. I'm trying to determine how to get the com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage entitlement granted for distribution, since enabling the capability in the portal has not been sufficient. Environment Xcode 26.6 (17F113) iPhone 17, iOS 26.5.2 App uses FamilyControls + ManagedSettings, plus Screen Time extensions (Shield Configuration, Shield Action, Device Activity, Live Activity, Control). Entitlement in question: com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage (iOS 26.4+) What works vs. what doesn't Development build (installed from Xcode): AuthorizationCenter.shared.authorizationStatus == .approvedWithDataAccess. FamilyActivityData.shared.installedApplications returns real bundle IDs and display names. TestFlight / distribution build (same source, same device, same OS): authorizationStatus == .approved. installedApplications is empty. The only variable between the two is development vs. distribution signing. What I've already done Enabled Family Controls App and Website Usage on the main App ID and on every extension identifier in Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles. Confirmed the entitlement key is present in the app's .entitlements and is signed into the distribution build. Regenerated the distribution provisioning profiles after enabling the capability (Automatically Manage Signing), archived a fresh build, ran Validate App (passed), and uploaded to TestFlight. Installed the TestFlight build on-device and verified in Settings that Authorization is still .approved. What I found in Capability Requests Under Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles -> the App ID, only Family Controls (base) shows as Assigned, its info panel lists Entitlement Keys = com.apple.developer.family-controls only. There is no entry anywhere in Capability Requests for com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage. So it appears there is no account-level distribution grant for the App and Website Usage tier for a distribution profile to inherit, which would explain why the checkbox alone doesn't take effect at runtime in distribution. I already have the base Family Controls distribution entitlement (the app ships and runs fine); it is specifically the App and Website Usage tier that works only in development. My questions Does the app-and-website-usage tier require a separate distribution approval (beyond enabling the checkbox on the App ID)? If so, where is that request submitted — it does not appear as a requestable item in my Capability Requests tab. Is there an additional step to make a distribution provisioning profile carry app-and-website-usage, given the base Family Controls entitlement already distributes correctly? For anyone who has shipped an app using .approvedWithDataAccess (iOS 26.4+): what did it take to get the usage tier active in an App Store/TestFlight build? I went through Developer Support; they confirmed the base Family Controls entitlement is on the account and directed me here for code-level guidance. Any pointers appreciated. Thank you!
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Is DeviceActivitySchedule a supported way to wake an extension for periodic work?
I'm building a parental-control app using FamilyControls, ManagedSettings and DeviceActivity. A guardian can lock a child's device from their own device, and the child's device applies the shield locally. The delivery problem: a background push can't wake our app once it has been force-quit, which is common on a child's device, so guardian-initiated changes sit undelivered until the child happens to open the app. I've found that DeviceActivityMonitorExtension still receives intervalDidStart / intervalDidEnd while the app is force-quit, and that a URLSession request started from the extension completes. So I could register a couple of short recurring DeviceActivitySchedule activities purely to wake the extension every ~15 minutes, check the server, and apply the resulting shield. My question: is using DeviceActivitySchedule purely as a wake mechanism — where the schedule doesn't correspond to any real usage-monitoring window — a supported use of the API, or is it working by accident? I'd rather not build on it if it's the latter. Two smaller ones, if anyone knows: Is network activity from the monitor extension expected to be given time to complete, and is there a documented execution budget? I've seen reports here that the extension stops being invoked after some days without the host app launching. Is that expected, and what re-arms it? If there's a supported mechanism for this that I've missed, I'd much rather use it.
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ShieldConfigurationExtension & SwiftData
Hi, I am developing a Screen Time App and I am having issues with the ShieldConfigurationExtension (ShieldConfigurationDataSource). I know this extensions is sandboxed but I should be able to read data from the main app. I am using SwiftData as my database, but I am unable to initialize it in the extensions with an error indicating insufficient file permissions. I have App Group set up and I am able to share data using UserDefaults but that is just inconvenient. Is there any way I could just open the SwiftData in read only mode so that I could display the user some info on the shield? SwiftData Init: private func setupContainer() throws { let schema = Schema([ DogEntity.self, HouseEntity.self ]) // Use app group container if available let config: ModelConfiguration if let containerURL = FileManager.default.containerURL( forSecurityApplicationGroupIdentifier: "group.\(Bundle.app.bundleIdentifier ?? "")" ) { config = ModelConfiguration(schema: schema, url: containerURL.appendingPathComponent("default.sqlite")) } else { config = ModelConfiguration(schema: schema) } self.container = try ModelContainer(for: schema, configurations: [config]) } Error in extension: fault: Attempt to add read-only file at path file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite read/write. Adding it read-only instead. This will be a hard error in the future; you must specify the NSReadOnlyPersistentStoreOption. error: (3) access permission denied error: Encountered exception error during prepareSQL for SQL string 'SELECT TBL_NAME FROM SQLITE_MASTER WHERE TBL_NAME = 'Z_METADATA'' : access permission denied with userInfo { NSFilePath = "/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite"; NSSQLiteErrorDomain = 3; } while checking table name from store: <NSSQLiteConnection: 0x154100300> error: Store failed to load. <NSPersistentStoreDescription: 0x15402d590> (type: SQLite, url: file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite) with error = Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=256 "The file “default.sqlite” couldn’t be opened." UserInfo={NSFilePath=/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite, NSSQLiteErrorDomain=3} with userInfo { NSFilePath = "/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite"; NSSQLiteErrorDomain = 3; } Any help appreciated 🙂
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ManagedSettingsStore.TokenExpiryMessage API doesn't work?
Hi there! My claim is that ManagedSettingsStore.TokenExpiryMessage API family doesn't work properly. I'm curious if that's only me, or others have also found it confusing, or non-working? I haven't found much public discussion about it, so this is the start of it. There are multiple confusing scenarios from my playing with it, but the simplest example is that ~30% of my apps NEW users get the ".tokensDidExpire" as soon as they approve Screen Time Permissions. Note that they haven't even seen the FamilyActivityPicker! FB23391495 is the feedback. Apple dev responded, but it didn't give confidence that my bug report was deemed correct (which can be fair!). However, it's current status is "Potential fix identified - For a future OS update," so maybe there is something to it. The API is likely quite difficult to get right, so I am happy to provide feedback on potential implementation so it's 100% solid.
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Is there a way to coexist with Apple's Screen Time?
We adopted the "com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage entitlement" to read usage through "DeviceActivityData.activityData(filteredBy:using:)" after "approvedWithDataAccess". It works as documented. We want to clarify the exclusivity issues. The consent sheet says, under "Limited Access", that Screen Time "will lose access to this data as only one app or service can access it at a time." On our test devices that is exactly what happens: after allowing, the Screen Time pane in Settings shows no new usage until the app is toggled off under Apps with Screen Time Access. Is this intended as permanent design, and is there any supported way for a third-party app and Apple's Screen Time to hold the data simultaneously?
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FamilyControls: App Store build has app-and-website-usage entitlement but AuthorizationStatus remains .approved instead of .approvedWithDataAccess
Hi Apple Developer Support, I’m developing an iOS app that uses FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, and DeviceActivity. My app requests Screen Time authorization with: try await AuthorizationCenter.shared.requestAuthorization(for: .individual) Issue: On my development-installed build, AuthorizationCenter.shared.authorizationStatus becomes .approvedWithDataAccess, and the app can display usage data. However, after installing the App Store / App Store Connect distribution build, the same device and same flow returns .approved instead of .approvedWithDataAccess. As a result, the app only treats the authorization as management access, not usage-data access. App details: App name: App时记 Main bundle ID: com.qteqpid.appstop Device Activity Monitor extension: com.qteqpid.appstop.AppStopMonitorExtension Device Activity Report extension: com.qteqpid.appstop.AppStopReportExtension Version/build tested: 2.0 (4) Team ID: 5N6B48T57B What I verified: I exported an App Store Connect IPA from Xcode Organizer on September 3, 2026 and inspected the actual signed entitlements with codesign. The main app and both Screen Time extensions all include: com.apple.developer.family-controls = true com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage = true com.apple.security.application-groups = group.com.qteqpid.appstop get-task-allow = false The DistributionSummary.plist also shows Apple Distribution signing and App Store provisioning profiles for the main app and both extensions. Question: Given that the App Store Connect distribution IPA appears to contain the app-and-website-usage entitlement on the main app and both extensions, what conditions would cause AuthorizationCenter.shared.authorizationStatus to return .approved instead of .approvedWithDataAccess for an .individual authorization? Is there an additional distribution-side approval, App ID setting, provisioning support setting, device state, or Screen Time privacy limitation that can prevent .approvedWithDataAccess even when the signed entitlements are present? I would appreciate guidance on how to verify why data access is not granted in the App Store/TestFlight environment. Thank you.
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App stuck “In Review” after fixing automated Family Controls entitlement issue
Hello, I’m looking for some guidance regarding an App Store review that has been taking significantly longer than expected. Our app, SafeKnot, was originally submitted on August 20, 2026 at 20:24. Shortly after submission, we received an automated App Review message indicating two issues: The app uses Screen Time APIs and needed the Family Controls entitlement. The app offers auto-renewable subscriptions but the App Store metadata was missing a functional Terms of Use (EULA) link. We addressed both issues: The required Family Controls entitlement/configuration was completed. The Terms of Use information was added correctly. We then resubmitted the app for review. Since the resubmission, the app has remained in “In Review” status for several days, and we have not received any additional questions, rejection messages, or requests for information from App Review. We also contacted Apple Developer Program Support and received the following case number: Case ID: 20000149485605 Could an Apple engineer or App Review representative please advise whether the submission is still progressing normally, or whether there may be an issue preventing the review from proceeding? We do not want to cancel and resubmit the app unnecessarily, as it is already in the review process. Thank you very much for your help.
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Is voluntary self-control on employee-owned iPhones considered use “in organizational settings” under the Family Controls terms?
Hello, Apple Developer Technical Support directed me to the Developer Forums for clarification on the following Family Controls use case. DTS reference: Case-ID 21723677 I am evaluating an iOS app called “Zone” before beginning full development. I would like to determine whether the proposed architecture is considered permitted individual device management for focus and productivity, or prohibited use “in organizational settings” under Section 3.3.3(P) of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. Proposed architecture: Zone is offered to companies as a workplace focus and productivity service. The app is installed on an adult employee’s personally owned iPhone. Participation and each Focus Session are voluntary. The employee independently requests Family Controls authorization using individual authorization. Only the employee can select the apps and websites to restrict. Only the employee can start or stop a Focus Session. During the session, Zone applies restrictions locally on that employee’s iPhone using Family Controls and Managed Settings. The employer cannot authorize or revoke Family Controls access. The employer cannot select restricted apps or websites. The employer cannot remotely start, stop, or schedule a Focus Session. The employer cannot remotely manage or control the employee’s device. Zone would not provide the employer with: Screen Time or Device Activity data App or website tokens App usage history Website browsing history Information about attempts to open restricted apps Location, messages, photos, or other personal device information However, Zone would include a company web dashboard. The dashboard would show only an app-generated boolean status for each participating employee: Zone ON: the employee has voluntarily started a Focus Session Zone OFF: the employee has not started a Focus Session This status is generated by the Zone app itself. It is not derived from Screen Time usage data and does not indicate whether the employee actually attempted to use any restricted app or website. My questions are: Would this architecture be considered permitted individual device management for focus and productivity, even though the service is offered through an employer and the employer can see the Zone ON/OFF status? Or would the employer relationship and company dashboard make this prohibited use of Family Controls “in organizational settings”? If sharing the app-generated ON/OFF status with the employer is incompatible with the Family Controls terms, would the use be permitted if Family Controls operated entirely on-device and no Focus Session status or device information were sent to the employer? Is there another Apple-supported framework or architecture recommended for this use case? I understand that final entitlement approval and App Review decisions may depend on the submitted application. I am seeking architectural guidance before investing in implementation. Thank you.
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Aug ’26
iOS 26.2 RC DeviceActivityMonitor.eventDidReachThreshold regression?
Hi there, Starting with iOS 26.2 RC, all my DeviceActivityMonitor.eventDidReachThreshold get activated immediately as I pick up my iPhone for the first time, two nights in a row. Feedback: FB21267341 There's always a chance something odd is happening to my device in particular (although I can't recall making any changes here and the debug logs point to the issue), but just getting this out there ASAP in case others are seeing this (or haven't tried!), and it's critical as this is the RC. DeviceActivityMonitor.eventDidReachThreshold issues also mentioned here: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/793747; but I believe they are different and were potentially fixed in iOS 26.1, but it points to this part of the technology having issues and maybe someone from Apple has been tweaking it.
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Version 1.0.0 stuck in "Waiting for Review" for ~2 weeks after an automated Guideline 2.5.1 message about the Family Controls entitlement
Our app — a screen-time / focus app — has had no App Review activity for two weeks, and we believe the trigger was an automated Guideline 2.5.1 check that froze an otherwise actively progressing review. (This forum account is linked to the developer account in question; we can provide the App ID, bundle IDs, submission IDs, and support case numbers through any private channel on request.) Context: Jul 2–5: Our first submission (Version 1.0.0) was under active review. We went through several ordinary metadata / paywall-related iterations, and the reviewer responded within roughly 24 hours each time. Nothing related to Screen Time was raised in these human reviews of builds 9 and 10. Jul 8: After we submitted build 11 — which addressed the remaining human-review feedback — we received an automated Guideline 2.5.1 (Performance: Software Requirements) message stating that the app uses the Screen Time API but has not been submitted with the Family Controls entitlement, and that review of the submission cannot proceed. All reviewer activity stopped at that point, and there has been none since. What we verified: The Family Controls (Distribution) entitlement is granted to our account and assigned to all four bundle IDs (the main app plus its DeviceActivityMonitor, ShieldAction, and ShieldConfiguration extensions). We verified with codesign that com.apple.developer.family-controls = true is present in the code signature and embedded provisioning profile of every one of the four executables in the submitted IPA — so the entitlement named in the automated message is present in the flagged build. For context: builds 9 and 10, with an identical Screen Time API surface and identical entitlements (verified at the binary level with nm against the submitted artifacts), had been human-reviewed on Jul 2–5 with no Screen Time-related objection. We recognize those builds may simply not have reached the automated analysis stage before being superseded, so we do not draw firm conclusions from that. What we did anyway (build 12, submitted Jul 9): In case the automated check actually concerns the separate com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage entitlement (which we do not request and do not need), we removed every reference from our main app to the APIs associated with it: AuthorizationStatus.approvedWithDataAccess, ManagedSettings.Application.bundleIdentifier, ManagedSettings.Application.localizedDisplayName, ManagedSettings.ActivityCategory.localizedDisplayName, and ManagedSettings.WebDomain.domain. We verified with nm that none of the four executables in the build 12 IPA reference these APIs. The app does not use FamilyActivityData, DeviceActivityReport, app usage events, web usage events, or App and Website Usage data access. No automated message has appeared for build 12. What has happened since: Jul 9–14: No reviewer activity on build 12. We filed an expedited review request and opened two Developer Support cases (Jul 8 and Jul 14). No response to any of them. Around Jul 15: Hoping to clear the frozen state, we cancelled and resubmitted the same Version 1.0.0 / build 12. Around Jul 17: Filed a second expedited review request for the new submission. Jul 22 (today): The new submission has been in "Waiting for Review" since Jul 15, with no reviewer activity and no reply to either support case or either expedite request. What we are asking: Could someone check whether the Jul 8 automated flag is still attached to the app record and blocking reviewer assignment, and help get the current submission assigned to a reviewer? If the automated check flags build 12 again, could the message specify which entitlement and which binary / API references triggered it, so we can address it precisely? We can provide codesign output, entitlement plists, provisioning profile dumps, and nm symbol listings on request. Thank you.
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Enhancing age-appropriate experiences
With the declining literacy rates I think it would be incredibly valuable for apple to implement a separate keyboard experience for minors. One without auto or predictive text, swipe to text, or even potentially also voice memos. These are all very convenient features that I think could unfortunately contribute or even enable the literacy crisis as more and more children grow up and rely on technology. I also think bringing back the ‘look up’ tool on highlighted text into the main options would support and encourage more education (or even adding a thesaurus option as well) From: A Gen Z adult who grew up learning how to spell at the same time I learned how to text. Without relying on all of the convenience features that in turn can remove the mental friction that learning to fix your mistakes provides, my iPhone was teaching me how to spell with simple red lines that required me to interact with my spelling in order to correct my mistakes. Note: Autocorrect was still a feature at the time however was often turned off by most people because of text slang culture which coincidentally helped create more intentional spell check interactions. I believe the decision to turn off autocorrect should be considered a more conscious responsibility so it should not necessarily be left up to a child to decide for themselves.
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Does an opt-in leaderboard using an abstracted on-device score comply with DPLA 3.3.3(P)?
I am the developer of a screen time awareness app currently on the App Store. It uses the Family Controls and DeviceActivity frameworks, with the distribution entitlement approved, to show users their own cumulative screen time since install. All tracking today is fully on-device and nothing leaves the user's phone. I am planning an optional social feature and I want to confirm Apple's position before building it, because I want to stay clearly within the Developer Program License Agreement, specifically Section 3.3.3(P) regarding data received through the Family Controls framework. Here is how the feature would work: The app monitors the user's own device activity via DeviceActivityMonitor threshold events. This is the same mechanism the app already uses for its on-device counter. On-device, that counter is converted into an abstracted, gamified score. The score is not expressed in hours, minutes, or any unit of time, and the app never displays it as time. If, and only if, the user opts in to the feature, the app uploads a self-chosen username, the date the user's count began, and the user's abstracted score values to my backend. Score values may be computed over different time windows, for example a lifetime score alongside daily, weekly, or monthly scores, but they are all the same abstraction: no raw time totals, no per-app or per-category data, no contacts, and no identifiers beyond what the account itself requires. Friends who have mutually opted in see each other's usernames and scores on a leaderboard. The app never displays another person's screen time, and no time values are stored server-side. The feature is off by default, data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and users can delete their account and all associated data from within the app at any time. The privacy policy will disclose all of this. My question: does transmitting this opt-in, abstracted score, derived on-device from DeviceActivity threshold events, comply with DPLA Section 3.3.3(P) and the intended use of the Family Controls framework? If this specific design is not acceptable, is there any form of opt-in social comparison feature that would be, and what constraints would it need to satisfy? I am aware of earlier threads here where sending screen time data off-device was flagged as non-conforming, which is exactly why I am asking before writing any code rather than after. I would rather design this correctly from the start than risk a rejection later. Thank you for your time. Happy to provide any additional detail about the design.
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Supported ways to intervene on app-open and on a schedule (non-blocking) — Screen Time / Shortcuts
I'm building a consumer iOS app that helps users be more intentional about opening distracting apps. It never hard-blocks; it only nudges. I have Family Controls (Distribution) approved and a working TestFlight build using FamilyControls / DeviceActivity / ManagedSettings. I've confirmed from testing and the forums that: ShieldActionResponse is only .none / .defer / .close (no supported way to open my main app from the shield extension — threads 719905, 793060). ShieldConfiguration is a static snapshot (no countdown/animation; FB14237883). DeviceActivityMonitor events are threshold/schedule based and cannot hook "the app was just opened," and on iOS 26 eventDidReachThreshold fires immediately/incorrectly (thread 808470). I'd like to confirm the supported approaches for these UX patterns (each = every-app-open vs on-a-schedule): On app open, present my own full-screen UI (a brief non-blocking "pause") without requiring the user to manually create a Shortcuts personal automation. Is there any supported API for this, or is a user-created Shortcuts automation the officially recommended path? On app open, deliver a local notification (rather than UI) — supported only via a user-created Shortcuts automation, or is there another way? On a schedule / at fixed intervals, automatically bring my app's UI to the foreground (e.g., re-show a screen every N minutes) — I believe this is not allowed (apps can't self-foreground); can you confirm, and is a user-tapped notification the only path? On a schedule / at fixed intervals, send repeating local notifications while a usage limit is exceeded — given the iOS 26 eventDidReachThreshold regression, what's the recommended way to reliably detect "over limit" and drive repeating reminders? Some third-party apps appear to open their main app from a shield/monitor context. Is there any supported mechanism enabling that which I may have missed? I'd rather build on a supported path than risk anything review-sensitive. Guidance (or where to file an enhancement request) is appreciated. Thank you.
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Jul ’26
Is there any API or Entitlement to detect the active foreground app in real-time?
Hi everyone, I am currently working on a specialized analytics and time-tracking application, and I am trying to find a reliable way to detect which app the user currently has open in the foreground in real-time. On Android, this is typically handled via Accessibility Services or UsageStats, but I am well aware of iOS’s strict sandboxing rules and privacy protections. So far, I have researched and tested a few workarounds, but none perfectly fit the use case: Screen Time API (FamilyControls / DeviceActivity): This is fantastic for blocking apps or getting daily aggregate usage, but it does not provide real-time callbacks or the bundle ID of the app currently on the screen. MDM (Mobile Device Management): Requires enterprise enrollment and wiping the device, which isn't feasible for a consumer-facing app. ReplayKit (Broadcast Extension): We are currently utilizing RPBroadcastSampleHandler to screen record the device and using OCR and Core ML to visually identify the app (e.g., detecting the YouTube UI). However, this is incredibly resource-intensive and pushes the 50MB Jetsam limit for extensions. My Question: Is there any official API, restricted entitlement, or system notification (like NSWorkspace.shared.frontmostApplication on macOS) that allows a background process to simply read the bundleID of the active foreground app on iOS? If not, is ReplayKit combined with OCR or Machine Learning truly the only way to detect what app a user is actively viewing on iOS without a jailbreak? Thank you in advance for any insights!
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Jul ’26
DeviceActivityReport: visible per-app list updates, but aggregate total for same selection lags
Hi, I’m using FamilyControls + DeviceActivity. Users select apps/categories/web domains via FamilyActivitySelection. I need to show today’s total usage for that selected group only, not the device’s full Screen Time. Setup: A visible DeviceActivityReport shows today’s per-app list with a daily DeviceActivityFilter for the selected tokens. This visible list is usually accurate and updates quickly. A separate hidden DeviceActivityReport uses the same filter to compute an aggregate total by summing app.totalActivityDuration in makeConfiguration(representing:). The extension sends that total to the main app via notify_set_state + Darwin notification. DeviceActivityMonitor is only used as a fallback. Problem: The visible app list stays current, but the aggregate total for the same selected apps sometimes lags by several minutes or updates only after new selected-app usage occurs. Sometimes the total appears temporarily frozen while the app list still looks correct. Questions: Is a hidden DeviceActivityReport a supported way to compute a selected-app aggregate total? Is makeConfiguration expected to run often enough for a near-live total? Why would the visible per-app report update while a hidden report with the same filter does not? What is the recommended architecture for a reliable, non-inflated today total for selected apps only? Thanks!
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Jul ’26
Clarification on Screen Time API capabilities for per-child and per-device activity reports
Hello, I am developing a parental control app using FamilyControls, DeviceActivity, and DeviceActivityReport. My current setup is: The child device requests FamilyControls authorization with .child The parent device requests FamilyControls authorization with .individual The parent app displays reports through a DeviceActivityReportExtension The report filter uses users: .children and devices: .all I would like to clarify two questions: Can a third-party app use the Screen Time API to retrieve or display screen time activity per child or per child device from the parent app? For example: Child A's total screen time today Child A's iPhone screen time today Child A's iPad screen time today At the moment, I can only display an aggregated report using users: .children and devices: .all. I do not see a public API for selecting a specific child or a specific child device. Is this a current limitation of the public Screen Time API, or is there a recommended approach to implement this? Can the Screen Time API report activity data for family members aged 14-17? Specifically, if a family member is between 14 and 17 years old and their device has completed .child authorization, can the parent app still display their Screen Time data using DeviceActivityReport(users: .children)? Or are there restrictions related to Apple ID age, Family Sharing, or Screen Time permissions that prevent third-party apps from retrieving or displaying activity data for users in this age range? My goal is to understand what third-party apps can implement in a compliant way using the public APIs, without attempting to bypass any system limitations. Thank you.
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Jun ’26
Age ratings vs parental consent for 16+ apps
Hello, Quick clarification regarding age ratings: If a user is 17 years old and wants to download a 16+ app, is parental approval required? Or is parental consent only needed if the app’s rating does not match (or exceeds) the user’s actual age? Also, is this fully enforced by Apple, or is it up to developers how to implement these checks? Thanks!
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Jun ’26
Family Controls Resources
General: Forums topic: Family Controls Forums tag: Family Controls Configuring Family Controls documentation Requesting the Family Controls entitlement documentation Screen Time Technology Frameworks documentation FamilyControls documentation What's new in Screen Time API video Meet the Screen Time API video
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Activity
Jan ’26
Open parent app from ShieldAction extension in iOS
When I tap on one of the buttons in the ShieldAction extension I want to close the shield and open the parent app instead of the shielded app. Is there any way of doing this using the Screen Time API? class ShieldActionExtension: ShieldActionDelegate {      override func handle(action: ShieldAction, for application: ApplicationToken, completionHandler: @escaping (ShieldActionResponse) -> Void) {     // Handle the action as needed.           let store = ManagedSettingsStore()               switch action {     case .primaryButtonPressed:       //TODO - open parent app       completionHandler(.defer)     case .secondaryButtonPressed:       //remove shield       store.shield.applications?.remove(application)       completionHandler(.defer)         @unknown default:       fatalError()     }   }   }
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Activity
23h
Self Hiding App
I’m designing a voluntary self-control/safety app for adults using FamilyControls/ManagedSettings with individual authorization. When a user voluntarily starts a timed protection session, can the app hide or block itself for the duration of that session so the user cannot easily locate the app and uninstall it? When the DeviceActivity schedule ends, could an extension remove that restriction so the app becomes available again automatically? I understand that an adult may ultimately be able to revoke Family Controls authorization through Settings. I’m specifically asking whether the app itself can be hidden/blocked during the active session.
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Activity
3d
Family Controls authorization error
Hi everyone, I'm developing an iOS app that uses Apple's Family Controls / Screen Time APIs. I've encountered a strange issue when testing with multiple devices: The app works normally on the first device. When I install the same TestFlight build on a second device, the user completes the Family Controls authorization successfully. Immediately after authorization, an error appears: "Family Controls is only available for one application." After dismissing the error, the app still works normally. Screen Time / Shield functionality also appears to work as expected. The issue seems to occur specifically when authorizing the app on a second device. Has anyone encountered this error before?
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Activity
1w
Family Controls "App and Website Usage" entitlement: .approvedWithDataAccess in development but .approved in TestFlight/App Store distribution
My app receives AuthorizationStatus.approvedWithDataAccess when run from a development build, but the identical code returns only .approved when run from a TestFlight / App Store (distribution) build. I'm trying to determine how to get the com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage entitlement granted for distribution, since enabling the capability in the portal has not been sufficient. Environment Xcode 26.6 (17F113) iPhone 17, iOS 26.5.2 App uses FamilyControls + ManagedSettings, plus Screen Time extensions (Shield Configuration, Shield Action, Device Activity, Live Activity, Control). Entitlement in question: com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage (iOS 26.4+) What works vs. what doesn't Development build (installed from Xcode): AuthorizationCenter.shared.authorizationStatus == .approvedWithDataAccess. FamilyActivityData.shared.installedApplications returns real bundle IDs and display names. TestFlight / distribution build (same source, same device, same OS): authorizationStatus == .approved. installedApplications is empty. The only variable between the two is development vs. distribution signing. What I've already done Enabled Family Controls App and Website Usage on the main App ID and on every extension identifier in Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles. Confirmed the entitlement key is present in the app's .entitlements and is signed into the distribution build. Regenerated the distribution provisioning profiles after enabling the capability (Automatically Manage Signing), archived a fresh build, ran Validate App (passed), and uploaded to TestFlight. Installed the TestFlight build on-device and verified in Settings that Authorization is still .approved. What I found in Capability Requests Under Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles -> the App ID, only Family Controls (base) shows as Assigned, its info panel lists Entitlement Keys = com.apple.developer.family-controls only. There is no entry anywhere in Capability Requests for com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage. So it appears there is no account-level distribution grant for the App and Website Usage tier for a distribution profile to inherit, which would explain why the checkbox alone doesn't take effect at runtime in distribution. I already have the base Family Controls distribution entitlement (the app ships and runs fine); it is specifically the App and Website Usage tier that works only in development. My questions Does the app-and-website-usage tier require a separate distribution approval (beyond enabling the checkbox on the App ID)? If so, where is that request submitted — it does not appear as a requestable item in my Capability Requests tab. Is there an additional step to make a distribution provisioning profile carry app-and-website-usage, given the base Family Controls entitlement already distributes correctly? For anyone who has shipped an app using .approvedWithDataAccess (iOS 26.4+): what did it take to get the usage tier active in an App Store/TestFlight build? I went through Developer Support; they confirmed the base Family Controls entitlement is on the account and directed me here for code-level guidance. Any pointers appreciated. Thank you!
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206
Activity
1w
Is DeviceActivitySchedule a supported way to wake an extension for periodic work?
I'm building a parental-control app using FamilyControls, ManagedSettings and DeviceActivity. A guardian can lock a child's device from their own device, and the child's device applies the shield locally. The delivery problem: a background push can't wake our app once it has been force-quit, which is common on a child's device, so guardian-initiated changes sit undelivered until the child happens to open the app. I've found that DeviceActivityMonitorExtension still receives intervalDidStart / intervalDidEnd while the app is force-quit, and that a URLSession request started from the extension completes. So I could register a couple of short recurring DeviceActivitySchedule activities purely to wake the extension every ~15 minutes, check the server, and apply the resulting shield. My question: is using DeviceActivitySchedule purely as a wake mechanism — where the schedule doesn't correspond to any real usage-monitoring window — a supported use of the API, or is it working by accident? I'd rather not build on it if it's the latter. Two smaller ones, if anyone knows: Is network activity from the monitor extension expected to be given time to complete, and is there a documented execution budget? I've seen reports here that the extension stops being invoked after some days without the host app launching. Is that expected, and what re-arms it? If there's a supported mechanism for this that I've missed, I'd much rather use it.
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84
Activity
1w
ShieldConfigurationExtension & SwiftData
Hi, I am developing a Screen Time App and I am having issues with the ShieldConfigurationExtension (ShieldConfigurationDataSource). I know this extensions is sandboxed but I should be able to read data from the main app. I am using SwiftData as my database, but I am unable to initialize it in the extensions with an error indicating insufficient file permissions. I have App Group set up and I am able to share data using UserDefaults but that is just inconvenient. Is there any way I could just open the SwiftData in read only mode so that I could display the user some info on the shield? SwiftData Init: private func setupContainer() throws { let schema = Schema([ DogEntity.self, HouseEntity.self ]) // Use app group container if available let config: ModelConfiguration if let containerURL = FileManager.default.containerURL( forSecurityApplicationGroupIdentifier: "group.\(Bundle.app.bundleIdentifier ?? "")" ) { config = ModelConfiguration(schema: schema, url: containerURL.appendingPathComponent("default.sqlite")) } else { config = ModelConfiguration(schema: schema) } self.container = try ModelContainer(for: schema, configurations: [config]) } Error in extension: fault: Attempt to add read-only file at path file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite read/write. Adding it read-only instead. This will be a hard error in the future; you must specify the NSReadOnlyPersistentStoreOption. error: (3) access permission denied error: Encountered exception error during prepareSQL for SQL string 'SELECT TBL_NAME FROM SQLITE_MASTER WHERE TBL_NAME = 'Z_METADATA'' : access permission denied with userInfo { NSFilePath = "/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite"; NSSQLiteErrorDomain = 3; } while checking table name from store: <NSSQLiteConnection: 0x154100300> error: Store failed to load. <NSPersistentStoreDescription: 0x15402d590> (type: SQLite, url: file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite) with error = Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=256 "The file “default.sqlite” couldn’t be opened." UserInfo={NSFilePath=/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite, NSSQLiteErrorDomain=3} with userInfo { NSFilePath = "/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite"; NSSQLiteErrorDomain = 3; } Any help appreciated 🙂
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328
Activity
1w
ManagedSettingsStore.TokenExpiryMessage API doesn't work?
Hi there! My claim is that ManagedSettingsStore.TokenExpiryMessage API family doesn't work properly. I'm curious if that's only me, or others have also found it confusing, or non-working? I haven't found much public discussion about it, so this is the start of it. There are multiple confusing scenarios from my playing with it, but the simplest example is that ~30% of my apps NEW users get the ".tokensDidExpire" as soon as they approve Screen Time Permissions. Note that they haven't even seen the FamilyActivityPicker! FB23391495 is the feedback. Apple dev responded, but it didn't give confidence that my bug report was deemed correct (which can be fair!). However, it's current status is "Potential fix identified - For a future OS update," so maybe there is something to it. The API is likely quite difficult to get right, so I am happy to provide feedback on potential implementation so it's 100% solid.
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190
Activity
2w
Is there a way to coexist with Apple's Screen Time?
We adopted the "com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage entitlement" to read usage through "DeviceActivityData.activityData(filteredBy:using:)" after "approvedWithDataAccess". It works as documented. We want to clarify the exclusivity issues. The consent sheet says, under "Limited Access", that Screen Time "will lose access to this data as only one app or service can access it at a time." On our test devices that is exactly what happens: after allowing, the Screen Time pane in Settings shows no new usage until the app is toggled off under Apps with Screen Time Access. Is this intended as permanent design, and is there any supported way for a third-party app and Apple's Screen Time to hold the data simultaneously?
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109
Activity
3w
FamilyControls: App Store build has app-and-website-usage entitlement but AuthorizationStatus remains .approved instead of .approvedWithDataAccess
Hi Apple Developer Support, I’m developing an iOS app that uses FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, and DeviceActivity. My app requests Screen Time authorization with: try await AuthorizationCenter.shared.requestAuthorization(for: .individual) Issue: On my development-installed build, AuthorizationCenter.shared.authorizationStatus becomes .approvedWithDataAccess, and the app can display usage data. However, after installing the App Store / App Store Connect distribution build, the same device and same flow returns .approved instead of .approvedWithDataAccess. As a result, the app only treats the authorization as management access, not usage-data access. App details: App name: App时记 Main bundle ID: com.qteqpid.appstop Device Activity Monitor extension: com.qteqpid.appstop.AppStopMonitorExtension Device Activity Report extension: com.qteqpid.appstop.AppStopReportExtension Version/build tested: 2.0 (4) Team ID: 5N6B48T57B What I verified: I exported an App Store Connect IPA from Xcode Organizer on September 3, 2026 and inspected the actual signed entitlements with codesign. The main app and both Screen Time extensions all include: com.apple.developer.family-controls = true com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage = true com.apple.security.application-groups = group.com.qteqpid.appstop get-task-allow = false The DistributionSummary.plist also shows Apple Distribution signing and App Store provisioning profiles for the main app and both extensions. Question: Given that the App Store Connect distribution IPA appears to contain the app-and-website-usage entitlement on the main app and both extensions, what conditions would cause AuthorizationCenter.shared.authorizationStatus to return .approved instead of .approvedWithDataAccess for an .individual authorization? Is there an additional distribution-side approval, App ID setting, provisioning support setting, device state, or Screen Time privacy limitation that can prevent .approvedWithDataAccess even when the signed entitlements are present? I would appreciate guidance on how to verify why data access is not granted in the App Store/TestFlight environment. Thank you.
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141
Activity
3w
App stuck “In Review” after fixing automated Family Controls entitlement issue
Hello, I’m looking for some guidance regarding an App Store review that has been taking significantly longer than expected. Our app, SafeKnot, was originally submitted on August 20, 2026 at 20:24. Shortly after submission, we received an automated App Review message indicating two issues: The app uses Screen Time APIs and needed the Family Controls entitlement. The app offers auto-renewable subscriptions but the App Store metadata was missing a functional Terms of Use (EULA) link. We addressed both issues: The required Family Controls entitlement/configuration was completed. The Terms of Use information was added correctly. We then resubmitted the app for review. Since the resubmission, the app has remained in “In Review” status for several days, and we have not received any additional questions, rejection messages, or requests for information from App Review. We also contacted Apple Developer Program Support and received the following case number: Case ID: 20000149485605 Could an Apple engineer or App Review representative please advise whether the submission is still progressing normally, or whether there may be an issue preventing the review from proceeding? We do not want to cancel and resubmit the app unnecessarily, as it is already in the review process. Thank you very much for your help.
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Activity
4w
Is voluntary self-control on employee-owned iPhones considered use “in organizational settings” under the Family Controls terms?
Hello, Apple Developer Technical Support directed me to the Developer Forums for clarification on the following Family Controls use case. DTS reference: Case-ID 21723677 I am evaluating an iOS app called “Zone” before beginning full development. I would like to determine whether the proposed architecture is considered permitted individual device management for focus and productivity, or prohibited use “in organizational settings” under Section 3.3.3(P) of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. Proposed architecture: Zone is offered to companies as a workplace focus and productivity service. The app is installed on an adult employee’s personally owned iPhone. Participation and each Focus Session are voluntary. The employee independently requests Family Controls authorization using individual authorization. Only the employee can select the apps and websites to restrict. Only the employee can start or stop a Focus Session. During the session, Zone applies restrictions locally on that employee’s iPhone using Family Controls and Managed Settings. The employer cannot authorize or revoke Family Controls access. The employer cannot select restricted apps or websites. The employer cannot remotely start, stop, or schedule a Focus Session. The employer cannot remotely manage or control the employee’s device. Zone would not provide the employer with: Screen Time or Device Activity data App or website tokens App usage history Website browsing history Information about attempts to open restricted apps Location, messages, photos, or other personal device information However, Zone would include a company web dashboard. The dashboard would show only an app-generated boolean status for each participating employee: Zone ON: the employee has voluntarily started a Focus Session Zone OFF: the employee has not started a Focus Session This status is generated by the Zone app itself. It is not derived from Screen Time usage data and does not indicate whether the employee actually attempted to use any restricted app or website. My questions are: Would this architecture be considered permitted individual device management for focus and productivity, even though the service is offered through an employer and the employer can see the Zone ON/OFF status? Or would the employer relationship and company dashboard make this prohibited use of Family Controls “in organizational settings”? If sharing the app-generated ON/OFF status with the employer is incompatible with the Family Controls terms, would the use be permitted if Family Controls operated entirely on-device and no Focus Session status or device information were sent to the employer? Is there another Apple-supported framework or architecture recommended for this use case? I understand that final entitlement approval and App Review decisions may depend on the submitted application. I am seeking architectural guidance before investing in implementation. Thank you.
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181
Activity
Aug ’26
iOS 26.2 RC DeviceActivityMonitor.eventDidReachThreshold regression?
Hi there, Starting with iOS 26.2 RC, all my DeviceActivityMonitor.eventDidReachThreshold get activated immediately as I pick up my iPhone for the first time, two nights in a row. Feedback: FB21267341 There's always a chance something odd is happening to my device in particular (although I can't recall making any changes here and the debug logs point to the issue), but just getting this out there ASAP in case others are seeing this (or haven't tried!), and it's critical as this is the RC. DeviceActivityMonitor.eventDidReachThreshold issues also mentioned here: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/793747; but I believe they are different and were potentially fixed in iOS 26.1, but it points to this part of the technology having issues and maybe someone from Apple has been tweaking it.
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Activity
Aug ’26
Version 1.0.0 stuck in "Waiting for Review" for ~2 weeks after an automated Guideline 2.5.1 message about the Family Controls entitlement
Our app — a screen-time / focus app — has had no App Review activity for two weeks, and we believe the trigger was an automated Guideline 2.5.1 check that froze an otherwise actively progressing review. (This forum account is linked to the developer account in question; we can provide the App ID, bundle IDs, submission IDs, and support case numbers through any private channel on request.) Context: Jul 2–5: Our first submission (Version 1.0.0) was under active review. We went through several ordinary metadata / paywall-related iterations, and the reviewer responded within roughly 24 hours each time. Nothing related to Screen Time was raised in these human reviews of builds 9 and 10. Jul 8: After we submitted build 11 — which addressed the remaining human-review feedback — we received an automated Guideline 2.5.1 (Performance: Software Requirements) message stating that the app uses the Screen Time API but has not been submitted with the Family Controls entitlement, and that review of the submission cannot proceed. All reviewer activity stopped at that point, and there has been none since. What we verified: The Family Controls (Distribution) entitlement is granted to our account and assigned to all four bundle IDs (the main app plus its DeviceActivityMonitor, ShieldAction, and ShieldConfiguration extensions). We verified with codesign that com.apple.developer.family-controls = true is present in the code signature and embedded provisioning profile of every one of the four executables in the submitted IPA — so the entitlement named in the automated message is present in the flagged build. For context: builds 9 and 10, with an identical Screen Time API surface and identical entitlements (verified at the binary level with nm against the submitted artifacts), had been human-reviewed on Jul 2–5 with no Screen Time-related objection. We recognize those builds may simply not have reached the automated analysis stage before being superseded, so we do not draw firm conclusions from that. What we did anyway (build 12, submitted Jul 9): In case the automated check actually concerns the separate com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage entitlement (which we do not request and do not need), we removed every reference from our main app to the APIs associated with it: AuthorizationStatus.approvedWithDataAccess, ManagedSettings.Application.bundleIdentifier, ManagedSettings.Application.localizedDisplayName, ManagedSettings.ActivityCategory.localizedDisplayName, and ManagedSettings.WebDomain.domain. We verified with nm that none of the four executables in the build 12 IPA reference these APIs. The app does not use FamilyActivityData, DeviceActivityReport, app usage events, web usage events, or App and Website Usage data access. No automated message has appeared for build 12. What has happened since: Jul 9–14: No reviewer activity on build 12. We filed an expedited review request and opened two Developer Support cases (Jul 8 and Jul 14). No response to any of them. Around Jul 15: Hoping to clear the frozen state, we cancelled and resubmitted the same Version 1.0.0 / build 12. Around Jul 17: Filed a second expedited review request for the new submission. Jul 22 (today): The new submission has been in "Waiting for Review" since Jul 15, with no reviewer activity and no reply to either support case or either expedite request. What we are asking: Could someone check whether the Jul 8 automated flag is still attached to the app record and blocking reviewer assignment, and help get the current submission assigned to a reviewer? If the automated check flags build 12 again, could the message specify which entitlement and which binary / API references triggered it, so we can address it precisely? We can provide codesign output, entitlement plists, provisioning profile dumps, and nm symbol listings on request. Thank you.
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3
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912
Activity
Aug ’26
Enhancing age-appropriate experiences
With the declining literacy rates I think it would be incredibly valuable for apple to implement a separate keyboard experience for minors. One without auto or predictive text, swipe to text, or even potentially also voice memos. These are all very convenient features that I think could unfortunately contribute or even enable the literacy crisis as more and more children grow up and rely on technology. I also think bringing back the ‘look up’ tool on highlighted text into the main options would support and encourage more education (or even adding a thesaurus option as well) From: A Gen Z adult who grew up learning how to spell at the same time I learned how to text. Without relying on all of the convenience features that in turn can remove the mental friction that learning to fix your mistakes provides, my iPhone was teaching me how to spell with simple red lines that required me to interact with my spelling in order to correct my mistakes. Note: Autocorrect was still a feature at the time however was often turned off by most people because of text slang culture which coincidentally helped create more intentional spell check interactions. I believe the decision to turn off autocorrect should be considered a more conscious responsibility so it should not necessarily be left up to a child to decide for themselves.
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Activity
Aug ’26
Does an opt-in leaderboard using an abstracted on-device score comply with DPLA 3.3.3(P)?
I am the developer of a screen time awareness app currently on the App Store. It uses the Family Controls and DeviceActivity frameworks, with the distribution entitlement approved, to show users their own cumulative screen time since install. All tracking today is fully on-device and nothing leaves the user's phone. I am planning an optional social feature and I want to confirm Apple's position before building it, because I want to stay clearly within the Developer Program License Agreement, specifically Section 3.3.3(P) regarding data received through the Family Controls framework. Here is how the feature would work: The app monitors the user's own device activity via DeviceActivityMonitor threshold events. This is the same mechanism the app already uses for its on-device counter. On-device, that counter is converted into an abstracted, gamified score. The score is not expressed in hours, minutes, or any unit of time, and the app never displays it as time. If, and only if, the user opts in to the feature, the app uploads a self-chosen username, the date the user's count began, and the user's abstracted score values to my backend. Score values may be computed over different time windows, for example a lifetime score alongside daily, weekly, or monthly scores, but they are all the same abstraction: no raw time totals, no per-app or per-category data, no contacts, and no identifiers beyond what the account itself requires. Friends who have mutually opted in see each other's usernames and scores on a leaderboard. The app never displays another person's screen time, and no time values are stored server-side. The feature is off by default, data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and users can delete their account and all associated data from within the app at any time. The privacy policy will disclose all of this. My question: does transmitting this opt-in, abstracted score, derived on-device from DeviceActivity threshold events, comply with DPLA Section 3.3.3(P) and the intended use of the Family Controls framework? If this specific design is not acceptable, is there any form of opt-in social comparison feature that would be, and what constraints would it need to satisfy? I am aware of earlier threads here where sending screen time data off-device was flagged as non-conforming, which is exactly why I am asking before writing any code rather than after. I would rather design this correctly from the start than risk a rejection later. Thank you for your time. Happy to provide any additional detail about the design.
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345
Activity
Aug ’26
Supported ways to intervene on app-open and on a schedule (non-blocking) — Screen Time / Shortcuts
I'm building a consumer iOS app that helps users be more intentional about opening distracting apps. It never hard-blocks; it only nudges. I have Family Controls (Distribution) approved and a working TestFlight build using FamilyControls / DeviceActivity / ManagedSettings. I've confirmed from testing and the forums that: ShieldActionResponse is only .none / .defer / .close (no supported way to open my main app from the shield extension — threads 719905, 793060). ShieldConfiguration is a static snapshot (no countdown/animation; FB14237883). DeviceActivityMonitor events are threshold/schedule based and cannot hook "the app was just opened," and on iOS 26 eventDidReachThreshold fires immediately/incorrectly (thread 808470). I'd like to confirm the supported approaches for these UX patterns (each = every-app-open vs on-a-schedule): On app open, present my own full-screen UI (a brief non-blocking "pause") without requiring the user to manually create a Shortcuts personal automation. Is there any supported API for this, or is a user-created Shortcuts automation the officially recommended path? On app open, deliver a local notification (rather than UI) — supported only via a user-created Shortcuts automation, or is there another way? On a schedule / at fixed intervals, automatically bring my app's UI to the foreground (e.g., re-show a screen every N minutes) — I believe this is not allowed (apps can't self-foreground); can you confirm, and is a user-tapped notification the only path? On a schedule / at fixed intervals, send repeating local notifications while a usage limit is exceeded — given the iOS 26 eventDidReachThreshold regression, what's the recommended way to reliably detect "over limit" and drive repeating reminders? Some third-party apps appear to open their main app from a shield/monitor context. Is there any supported mechanism enabling that which I may have missed? I'd rather build on a supported path than risk anything review-sensitive. Guidance (or where to file an enhancement request) is appreciated. Thank you.
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360
Activity
Jul ’26
Is there any API or Entitlement to detect the active foreground app in real-time?
Hi everyone, I am currently working on a specialized analytics and time-tracking application, and I am trying to find a reliable way to detect which app the user currently has open in the foreground in real-time. On Android, this is typically handled via Accessibility Services or UsageStats, but I am well aware of iOS’s strict sandboxing rules and privacy protections. So far, I have researched and tested a few workarounds, but none perfectly fit the use case: Screen Time API (FamilyControls / DeviceActivity): This is fantastic for blocking apps or getting daily aggregate usage, but it does not provide real-time callbacks or the bundle ID of the app currently on the screen. MDM (Mobile Device Management): Requires enterprise enrollment and wiping the device, which isn't feasible for a consumer-facing app. ReplayKit (Broadcast Extension): We are currently utilizing RPBroadcastSampleHandler to screen record the device and using OCR and Core ML to visually identify the app (e.g., detecting the YouTube UI). However, this is incredibly resource-intensive and pushes the 50MB Jetsam limit for extensions. My Question: Is there any official API, restricted entitlement, or system notification (like NSWorkspace.shared.frontmostApplication on macOS) that allows a background process to simply read the bundleID of the active foreground app on iOS? If not, is ReplayKit combined with OCR or Machine Learning truly the only way to detect what app a user is actively viewing on iOS without a jailbreak? Thank you in advance for any insights!
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885
Activity
Jul ’26
DeviceActivityReport: visible per-app list updates, but aggregate total for same selection lags
Hi, I’m using FamilyControls + DeviceActivity. Users select apps/categories/web domains via FamilyActivitySelection. I need to show today’s total usage for that selected group only, not the device’s full Screen Time. Setup: A visible DeviceActivityReport shows today’s per-app list with a daily DeviceActivityFilter for the selected tokens. This visible list is usually accurate and updates quickly. A separate hidden DeviceActivityReport uses the same filter to compute an aggregate total by summing app.totalActivityDuration in makeConfiguration(representing:). The extension sends that total to the main app via notify_set_state + Darwin notification. DeviceActivityMonitor is only used as a fallback. Problem: The visible app list stays current, but the aggregate total for the same selected apps sometimes lags by several minutes or updates only after new selected-app usage occurs. Sometimes the total appears temporarily frozen while the app list still looks correct. Questions: Is a hidden DeviceActivityReport a supported way to compute a selected-app aggregate total? Is makeConfiguration expected to run often enough for a near-live total? Why would the visible per-app report update while a hidden report with the same filter does not? What is the recommended architecture for a reliable, non-inflated today total for selected apps only? Thanks!
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345
Activity
Jul ’26
Clarification on Screen Time API capabilities for per-child and per-device activity reports
Hello, I am developing a parental control app using FamilyControls, DeviceActivity, and DeviceActivityReport. My current setup is: The child device requests FamilyControls authorization with .child The parent device requests FamilyControls authorization with .individual The parent app displays reports through a DeviceActivityReportExtension The report filter uses users: .children and devices: .all I would like to clarify two questions: Can a third-party app use the Screen Time API to retrieve or display screen time activity per child or per child device from the parent app? For example: Child A's total screen time today Child A's iPhone screen time today Child A's iPad screen time today At the moment, I can only display an aggregated report using users: .children and devices: .all. I do not see a public API for selecting a specific child or a specific child device. Is this a current limitation of the public Screen Time API, or is there a recommended approach to implement this? Can the Screen Time API report activity data for family members aged 14-17? Specifically, if a family member is between 14 and 17 years old and their device has completed .child authorization, can the parent app still display their Screen Time data using DeviceActivityReport(users: .children)? Or are there restrictions related to Apple ID age, Family Sharing, or Screen Time permissions that prevent third-party apps from retrieving or displaying activity data for users in this age range? My goal is to understand what third-party apps can implement in a compliant way using the public APIs, without attempting to bypass any system limitations. Thank you.
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267
Activity
Jun ’26
Age ratings vs parental consent for 16+ apps
Hello, Quick clarification regarding age ratings: If a user is 17 years old and wants to download a 16+ app, is parental approval required? Or is parental consent only needed if the app’s rating does not match (or exceeds) the user’s actual age? Also, is this fully enforced by Apple, or is it up to developers how to implement these checks? Thanks!
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303
Activity
Jun ’26