Set Up iPhone Downtime

Schedule time away
from most iPhone apps.

Choose Downtime hours, keep essential apps and contacts available, and turn on the setting that changes a reminder into a real block.

Quick path: Settings > Screen Time > Downtime. Turn on Scheduled, choose Every Day or Customize Days, and set the hours.

The most important detail is Block at Downtime. When it is off, restricted apps may be dimmed but still offer continued use. When it is on and settings are protected, apps outside Always Allowed cannot be opened during Downtime.

Part 1

Create a Downtime schedule

1. Enable Screen Time. Open Settings > Screen Time > App & Website Activity and turn it on if needed.

2. Open Downtime. Turn on Scheduled.

3. Choose the days. Every Day uses one schedule. Customize Days lets workdays and weekends differ.

4. Set start and end times. iPhone sends a five-minute warning before scheduled Downtime begins.

5. Use on-demand Downtime when needed. Turn On Downtime Until Tomorrow starts a temporary period without changing the recurring schedule.

Part 2

Turn on Block at Downtime

Create a Screen Time passcode under Lock Screen Time Settings, then open Downtime and enable Block at Downtime. Restricted apps appear dimmed with an hourglass and cannot be opened normally during the active period.

Without Block at Downtime, the system acts more like a reminder and permits continued use. For a child's device, use Family Sharing so the parent or guardian controls the passcode from their own device.

A Screen Time passcode is different from the device-unlock passcode. Do not share it with the person whose limits it protects.

Part 3

Choose Always Allowed apps and contacts

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed. Keep Phone, Messages or chosen contacts, maps, health, authentication, transportation, and safety tools available according to your needs.

Be conservative: every allowed feed or game becomes a route around the purpose of Downtime. But do not block the only app used for urgent caregiving, on-call work, travel, medical information, or emergency communication.

Communication Limits and contact choices interact with Downtime. Test calls and messages from important people before relying on the setup.

Part 4

Downtime versus App Limits and Fella

Tool	Blocking model	Best fit
Downtime	Most apps blocked during scheduled hours.	Bedtime, meals, work blocks, or family time.
App Limits	Selected apps stop after daily minutes.	A daily allowance rather than a clock schedule.
Fella	Selected apps blocked all day.	You need them only rarely and want one 5-minute emergency unlock.

Choose Downtime when access should return at a predictable hour. Choose Fella when the distracting apps should not have a recurring open window at all.

iPhone Downtime FAQ

How do I schedule Downtime on iPhone?

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Downtime, turn on Scheduled, choose Every Day or Customize Days, then set the start and end times.

How do I make Downtime actually block apps?

Set a Screen Time passcode, open Settings > Screen Time > Downtime, and turn on Block at Downtime. Otherwise Downtime may show a reminder that can be bypassed.

Which apps work during Downtime?

Phone calls and apps or contacts selected under Screen Time > Always Allowed remain available, subject to your communication settings.

Can I set different Downtime hours on weekends?

Yes. Select Customize Days in the Downtime schedule and set separate start and end times for each day.

What is the difference between Downtime and Fella?

Downtime blocks most apps during scheduled hours and supports an Always Allowed list. Fella blocks only selected apps all day and provides one emergency 5-minute unlock.

Next, set App Limits, learn how to block apps at certain times, or compare an all-day app blocker.