Apple is expanding Screen Time with two powerful new parental control features in its latest software updates announced at WWDC 2026. The new Screen Allowance and Screen Time Schedule tools give parents more flexible ways to manage how children use apps throughout the day.
Screen Allowance Brings Smarter App Limits
The new Screen Allowance feature lets parents set time limits for entire app categories instead of managing individual apps one by one. Categories such as Entertainment, Games, and Social Media can each receive their own allowance.
Parents can also create different limits for weekdays and weekends, making it easier to balance school responsibilities with leisure time. Apple says the feature follows recommended usage guidelines while still allowing families to customize limits based on their needs.
Apple has also introduced Screen Time Schedule, a feature designed to control which app categories are available during specific parts of the day.
For example, parents can create schedules for before school, school hours, and after school. During each time window, only selected app categories remain accessible while essential apps and approved contacts stay available.
This provides much more control than traditional daily limits and helps children stay focused during important parts of the day.
Available Across Apple Devices
The new controls work across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, allowing families to manage settings from any Apple device connected through Family Sharing.
With Screen Allowance and Screen Time Schedule, Apple is making Screen Time more flexible and practical. The updates give parents better tools to create healthy digital habits while allowing children to use their devices in a more balanced way.
