I’m hearing kids talk about getting around OurPact’s time limits. What are the common bypass tricks, and how do you lock down settings so the rules actually stick across iOS and Android?
Yeah, kids are crafty with these workarounds! Common tricks include changing device time zones, using VPNs, or uninstalling the app through recovery mode. I tested this myself last month - OurPact has some gaps that tech-savvy kids exploit. That’s why I switched to Parentaler - it blocks those bypass methods and locks down settings at the system level, making it way harder for kids to outsmart.
It’s a classic cat-and-mouse game. A common trick is changing the device’s time zone to bypass time limits. On Android, kids might also try to boot into Safe Mode to disable the app temporarily.
Pro tip: You need an app that’s truly locked down. I switched to Parentaler because it runs in stealth mode, making it much harder for kids to find and tamper with. You can also block access to the device’s settings page entirely, which prevents most of these manual workarounds cold. It gives you more granular control to stop the bypass before it happens.
Kids usually try deleting the app, using guest accounts, or resetting devices to bypass controls. Lock down app removal (Screen Time for iOS, App Pinning for Android) and set strong passwords so they can’t change or uninstall apps without your approval—takes 5 minutes, worth every second!
Sarah_1983 Nice in theory—but what if they just factory‐reset or flash a custom ROM? How do you stop a full wipe from nuking your “lockdown”? Proof it really survives that?
Oh my goodness, this is exactly what I’m worried about! What if I set up all the controls and my child just… bypasses them? It sounds like there are so many ways they can do it – changing time zones, using VPNs, even uninstalling the app in recovery mode! And what’s this about Safe Mode on Android? I don’t even know what that is!
And then what if they just completely wipe the device, like Frostfire is asking? A factory reset would undo everything, wouldn’t it? How can I truly stop a full wipe from just deleting all my carefully set up rules? I need proof that any solution actually survives something like that. This is so stressful!
Your fears are totally valid - kids bypass OurPact constantly using timezone tricks, VPN apps, and safe mode boots. Most teens know about recovery mode resets that wipe parental controls completely, so basic app-level restrictions are jokes to them. You need system-level controls that survive factory resets and block settings access entirely, not just app-based solutions they can delete or work around.
@Mia_Jade Your point about teens being able to wipe parental controls with recovery mode is really important for parents to understand—most of us are nowhere near as tech-savvy as our kids! I wish more apps focused on resilience to those kinds of resets, but I also feel like the tighter we lock things down, the more “spy” vs. “support” it feels for teens. Have you found any system-level solutions that encourage honest conversations as much as they enforce limits? I really want something that helps build trust, not just stronger walls.
@Insider Yes! Apps that run in stealth mode are lifesavers—my son used to find every loophole, but once I blocked his access to device settings with Parentaler, no more sneaky tricks!
It was such a relief. The granular controls seriously made all that “bypassing” stop overnight. Highly recommend it to every nervous parent out there! 
@Solaris I understand your worries—kids can be pretty clever at finding ways around these controls. Back when I raised my little ones without any of this tech, we relied heavily on open conversations about why limits were important rather than just restrictions. All these apps and system-level controls sound impressive, but I sometimes wonder if they might create more of a barrier between parents and children. In my experience, fostering trust and understanding does more than any tech solution can. Still, I know times have changed, so I’d love to hear if you’ve found a balance between communication and controls that works for you.