Screen Time review
A flexible mix of monitoring, routines, location tools, and earned extra time.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Screen Time is a parental-control app for families that want visibility into children’s mobile-device activity alongside practical daily routines. It combines app-usage monitoring, daily reports and email summaries with screen-time limits, recurring blocked periods, instant device pausing, location tracking, geofencing, and tasks that can earn additional screen time. Android and iOS are supported, while capabilities vary by platform. The free monitoring tier makes it suitable for parents who want to begin with activity visibility before adding stricter controls.
The pricing structure separates monitoring from management. Basic – Monitoring includes app usage, daily reports, web history on Android, and one device per child. A seven-day trial is available, and Premium – Managing, Tracking, Filtering and GPS costs $6.99 per month when billed monthly. Premium adds daily time limits, schedules, app blocking on Android, web filtering on Android, location tracking, and support for up to five devices per account. That makes the paid tier relevant for households managing multiple devices or setting recurring boundaries rather than only reviewing activity.
Platform differences are the main consideration. Android users receive the broadest set of controls, including individual app blocking, website filtering, and web-history visibility. The iOS version does not support per-app monitoring or blocking, or web and search history, so families relying on detailed content controls should assess whether those restrictions fit their children’s devices. Screen Time is a good choice for families that value reports, routines, location features, and a flexible path from monitoring to management. Families needing equivalent controls across Android and iOS should consider an alternative with more consistent platform coverage.
Screen Time pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free monitoring tier with app-usage visibility and daily reports
- Schedules, instant pause, limits, and chore-based extra screen time
- Location tracking and geofencing, with support for up to five devices
- Where it doesn't
- Per-app monitoring and blocking are not available on iOS
- Web filtering and web history are limited to Android
- The most useful management tools require the Premium subscription
Screen Time fact sheet, pricing and score →
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