Apple has expanded Screen Time in iOS 27 with a new App Schedules feature that gives parents much better control over when children can use specific apps. Instead of relying only on daily time limits, you can now create schedules for different parts of the day, including before school, school hours, after school, homework time, evenings, weekends, and holidays. This helps reduce distractions while still allowing access to essential apps when needed.
If your family uses Family Sharing and your child’s devices are running iOS 27 or the latest compatible Apple software, setting up school hour schedules only takes a few minutes.
Table of contents
Create App Schedules for School Hours
The new App Schedules feature is part of the redesigned Screen Time experience in iOS 27. It lets parents decide exactly which apps remain available during different times of the day.
- Open Settings on the parent’s iPhone.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Select your child’s profile.
- Open Schedules.
- Tap Create Schedule.
- Choose a schedule name such as School Hours.
- Select the days the schedule should apply, such as Monday through Friday.
- Set the start and end time for school.
- Choose which apps or app categories remain available.
- Save the schedule.
During school hours, only the apps you allow remain accessible while the rest stay restricted until the schedule ends.
Create Different Schedules for the Entire Day
You are not limited to a single schedule. iOS 27 lets you build multiple schedules that automatically switch throughout the day.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Schedules.
- Tap Add Schedule.
- Create separate schedules such as:
- Before School
- School Hours
- After School
- Homework
- Bedtime
- Set different times for each schedule.
- Save your changes.
Parents can also create separate schedules for weekends, holidays, and early school dismissal days.
Allow Essential Apps During School Hours
Even while restrictions are active, important apps can stay available.
For example, you may want your child to continue using Phone, Messages, Calculator, Maps, School learning apps, and Emergency contacts.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Select your child’s account.
- Open Always Allowed.
- Add the apps and contacts you want available at all times.
- Save the settings.
These apps remain accessible even when a schedule is active.
Add Time Limits Alongside App Schedules
App Schedules work well with Screen Time’s daily limits. For example, you can block games during school and still limit gaming to one hour after school.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap Time Allowances or App Limits.
- Select an app category such as Games or Social Media.
- Set the daily limit.
- Save your changes.
Using schedules together with time limits gives parents much more flexibility than older versions of Screen Time.
Create Separate Weekend Schedules
Weekend routines are often different from school days.
- Open Screen Time.
- Tap Schedules.
- Create a new schedule.
- Select Saturday and Sunday.
- Choose different app availability and times.
- Save the schedule.
You can also create custom schedules for vacations, exam periods, or public holidays.
Pause or Change App Access Instantly
Sometimes you may need to change restrictions without editing every schedule.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Screen Time.
- Select your child’s device.
- Pause access or temporarily allow additional apps.
- Changes take effect immediately.
This is useful if your child needs extra time for homework, travel, or a special event.
FAQs
Yes. The new App Schedules feature is part of the redesigned Screen Time experience introduced in iOS 27. For Family Sharing, all participating devices should run the latest compatible Apple software for full functionality.
Yes. You can build separate schedules for weekdays, weekends, holidays, and other custom situations such as early school release days.
Yes. You can choose which apps remain available during a schedule by using the allowed apps settings, ensuring educational and emergency apps continue to work.
No. App Schedules controls when apps are available, while App Limits or Time Allowances control how long apps can be used. Both features work together.
Yes. Parents using Family Sharing can manage Screen Time settings from their own Apple device.
Summary
- iOS 27 introduces App Schedules as part of the redesigned Screen Time experience.
- Parents can create schedules for school hours, homework, bedtime, weekends, and holidays.
- Essential apps and contacts can remain available during restricted periods.
- App Schedules works alongside Time Allowances and App Limits for better control.
- Family Sharing makes it easy to manage children’s devices from a parent’s iPhone.
- Multiple custom schedules help children stay focused while maintaining access to important apps.
Conclusion
The new App Schedules feature in iOS 27 gives parents far more control over how children use their devices throughout the day. Whether you want to block games during class, allow only educational apps during homework, or create different routines for weekends and holidays, the updated Screen Time tools make the process simple. Combined with App Limits, Time Allowances, and Always Allowed apps, App Schedules helps families build healthier digital habits while keeping essential communication available when it matters.
