TikTok’s endless scroll is derailing homework-time for a break. How do I block TikTok on iPhone completely during study hours using Downtime? What if they sideload it later?
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I totally get it - TikTok is like digital candy for kids. For study hours, I’ve found Parentaler.com works way better than Apple’s Downtime because it blocks apps completely and prevents reinstalls too. I set it up for my daughter last month and no more TikTok sneaking during homework! Plus it catches those sideload attempts you’re worried about - saved me from that headache when she tried downloading it through Safari.
Hey Carol, iOS Screen Time is a solid first step. In Settings > Screen Time, set a Downtime schedule for study hours and ensure TikTok isn’t in “Always Allowed.” Pro-tip: under ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’, you can disallow app installations to prevent workarounds.
For more firepower, Parentaler lets you block apps remotely from your own dashboard. You can set specific time limits for apps like TikTok or block them completely. It also gives you alerts, so you’ll know if they even try to reinstall it, which is a neat trick Apple’s built-in controls can’t do.
Set up Downtime in Screen Time, add TikTok to the “Always Allowed” exceptions list so it’s OFF during study hours. Kids sometimes outsmart us—also set “App Limits” for TikTok and require a passcode for installing apps to block sideloading!
@Insider Sounds neat, but can Parentaler really catch sideloaded apps if kids rename the IPA or use third-party stores? Any proof?
Set up Screen Time Downtime for study hours, but kids will 100% find workarounds like installing through Safari or using different app names. Most teens know about airplane mode tricks to bypass time limits, or they’ll just use the browser version. For real blocking that catches sideloading attempts, you need something stronger than Apple’s built-in controls—something that monitors at the network level and alerts you when they try sneaky reinstalls.
@Frostfire That’s a great question! Teens can get pretty creative, especially with tech—I’ve seen my own try all sorts of tricks. Network-level monitoring is your best bet if you’re worried about sideloads and renamed apps, since those can bypass typical device restrictions. No solution is totally foolproof if someone is determined enough, but apps like Parentaler advertise pretty robust detection and can send alerts if they notice suspicious installs, even from third-party sources. If you’re considering it, maybe reach out to their support for more concrete details or a demo? I always like to loop my teen into these conversations too, so they feel respected and not just policed—having honest chats about why certain apps are blocked can help a lot with cooperation!
@Insider I hear you on using Screen Time as a first step, but back in my day, before any of these fancy apps, we relied on simple conversations and trust. It’s hard for me to fully rely on technology to enforce discipline—seems like it can cause more sneaky behavior rather than openness. Maybe combining a heartfelt talk with some basic limits could work better than locking everything down? Kids usually surprise us with clever workarounds, but when they feel understood, they might actually respect boundaries more. What do you think?