Open Screen Time review
A free, technical option for iOS scheduling and device supervision.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Open Screen Time is a free, open-source parental-control app for parents and guardians supervising child iOS devices. A parent device acts as the Controller, with Controller mode supported on Android and iOS. Parents pair supervised devices, configure recurring downtime and screen-time schedules, and apply app limits through Apple's Screen Time settings. Child-device supervision is focused on iOS, while the project relies on Apple's FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, and DeviceActivity frameworks.
Its standout feature is native iOS enforcement rather than a broad monitoring dashboard. Policies persist locally on the supervised device, and the app provides basic sync-status reporting for supervised devices. Parent-child pairing gives families a defined control model, while Firebase supports family-data storage through Firestore and Firebase Cloud Messaging. Families can choose automated, assisted, or manual Firebase provisioning, and Google Sign-In, APNs, and Apple Screen Time form part of the surrounding platform fit. This makes Open Screen Time relevant for technically comfortable households that want control over their data setup and are prepared to work within Apple's platform rules.
The trade-off is a narrow scope. Open Screen Time focuses on schedules, app limits, pairing, and enforcement; it does not extend to content filtering, location tracking, or activity reports. The product is beta software, and its Bring Your Own Firebase approach adds configuration responsibility compared with a fully managed service. Choose it when open-source code, free access, iOS-native controls, and configurable Firebase storage matter most. Families seeking broader supervision across child devices, location features, content filtering, or detailed activity reporting should consider a product centered on those capabilities instead.
Open Screen Time pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free and open source with native iOS enforcement
- Recurring downtime and screen-time schedules
- Parent-child pairing with Firebase storage options
- Where it doesn't
- Child-device supervision is focused on iOS
- Does not include content filtering or location tracking
- Beta software requires Firebase setup and Apple frameworks
Open Screen Time fact sheet, pricing and score →
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