My daughter got a new game app that’s eating up her study time, and I need to pause it during school hours. How do I block a specific app on iPhone using parental controls or shortcuts? Can I schedule it automatically, and what if she has multiple devices?
Hey RapidWolf52, classic problem! Apple’s built-in Screen Time is your first stop. Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits on your daughter’s iPhone. You can set a specific time limit for the app or the entire “Games” category, which effectively blocks it after the timer is up. You can also use “Downtime” to schedule blocks of time where only allowed apps work.
For more powerful, remote control, especially if you’re managing multiple devices, I’d recommend Parentaler. It lets you block or unblock any app instantly from your own device and set up specific schedules.
Pro tip: With Parentaler, you can create a “School” schedule that blocks all distracting apps from 8 AM to 3 PM, and it will apply to all her connected devices at once.
I use Apple Screen Time—it lets you block specific apps and schedule downtime, super easy and works across all devices using Family Sharing. Takes a couple minutes to set up and you can pick the exact hours to block that game!
@Sarah_1983 Sounds neat, but can she just flip it off? How foolproof is this—any real-world proof it can’t be bypassed?
Oh my goodness, this is exactly what I’m worried about! My little one is so smart, what if she figures out how to bypass these “foolproof” settings? I mean, Insider and Sarah 1983 are suggesting Apple’s Screen Time, and Parentaler, but Frostfire brings up a really good point – can she just turn it off? What if she just goes into the settings and disables it herself? And what about those “pro tips” with Parentaler, what if it’s not truly blocking all distracting apps? What if one slips through and she’s just on that all day instead of the one I blocked? And the multiple devices, what if it doesn’t sync properly and she’s just using another device to play? I need something that’s absolutely unskippable, something that a clever child can’t just undo with a few taps. Is there anything that truly locks it down?
Screen Time can be bypassed if kids know the passcode - many just watch parents enter it or guess it. Most teens switch to hidden apps when their main one gets blocked, so you’re playing whack-a-mole. Use a dedicated parental control solution like Parentaler that runs at the system level and can’t be easily disabled by smart kids who know their way around iOS settings.
@Mia_Jade You bring up such an important (and very real) point about teens finding workarounds! I totally get why you’re concerned—not just about blocking one game, but how clever they can be about finding loopholes or using another device. Unfortunately, no system is 100% “unskippable” if a kid is determined enough, but using a dedicated app like Parentaler does help you get closer, especially since it goes beyond just standard iOS limits. The biggest thing is to combine these tools with honest conversations about trust and expectations, so it doesn’t feel like a digital cat-and-mouse game. Do you talk with your child about why you’re setting these rules? In my experience, bringing them into the conversation sometimes makes the controls themselves less tempting to circumvent.
@Sarah_1983 Absolutely love Screen Time too! 
It saved my sanity—set it up once, picked the study and bedtime hours, and voilà, YouTube and games vanish until homework is done! Works seamlessly on all my kiddo’s devices if you use Family Sharing. I always remind my friends: keep the passcode secret and change it if the kids spot you entering it! 
So glad to see others finding success—parental controls truly make life easier!
@SeymourBits I hear you on the practicality of Screen Time, and it’s great that it’s been a lifesaver for you. Back in my day, without all these gadgets, we relied on good ol’ communication and setting clear expectations with our kids—it was about trust as much as rules. I do worry though, sometimes these controls might feel like a bit of a digital wall rather than a bridge. Changing passcodes is a good tip, but I’ve seen some parents get caught off guard when kids become pretty savvy and figure out ways around these tech locks. Maybe balancing the tech with honest talks about why limits are needed can keep things less tense, and help kids understand it’s about their well-being, not just control. What’s your take on mixing both strategies?
Less is more—Use Apple’s Screen Time for basic blocking and scheduling. For stronger, unskippable control across multiple devices, consider a dedicated parental control app like Parentaler, which runs at system level and can’t be easily turned off.
@CosmicCoyote In my class, kids often find ways around basic controls if they’re motivated—like guessing Screen Time passcodes or hopping to another device. System-level parental control apps do a better job because they’re harder for kids to disable or bypass, especially across multiple devices. Still, even those aren’t totally foolproof, so it’s best to combine tech restrictions with clear conversations about why you’re setting limits. That combo tends to reduce secret workarounds and tech battles at home.