Articles on: Using ScreenCoach & Basic Fixes

iPhone and iPad troubleshooting tips

For iPhones and iPads to run correctly (ie to be "healthy"), there are two key things that need to be enabled

Location tracking Services for the ScreenCoach App need to be set to "Always Allowed"

This is to keep ScreenCoach running all the time, so it can track the time used

Enable Family Controls or ScreenTime Controls

This is needed to block the apps when not allowed to run
see Family Controls with Apple Screen time requirements below
NOTE (Family controls is the preferred option as this is bullet proofs it, so kids can not bypass it !)

Once #1 and #2 are enabled on the device each session on that device will be tracked, and Apps blocked when they have no more play time allowance left or it is a time of the day not allowed.

Set location Services to always allowed

Check that the location tracking services are set to always allowed.

there are two ways to get the the iOS settings (ScreenCoach Section)

Go to the iOS settings, then scroll down the list of apps to "ScreenCoach" (you can also do a search at the top of the list of settings)
From the ScreenCoach app (Switch to a parent user) - Settings > "App Settings" then turn on location permissions.
Once you are on the ScreenCoach settings section, set the location to "Always" if it is not already set

Family Controls with Apple Screen time requirements

In order to enable Apple family controls for ScreenCoach to make it bullet proof (so kids can not bypass it)

The iPad/iPhone MUST have ALL of the following

The Apple Id of the iPad/iPhone MUST be a child Apple ID of an Apple family**
ScreenTime enabled for the child family member
The Child Apple ID under the Age of 18
No MDM (mobile device management installed)

If the device is used at a school and has managed by a school, it is likely they are using an MDM

NOTE to have an Apple Family, you must have a 2nd apple device (iPhone/iPad/Mac) used by the Apple family organiser

What does "Can't bypass mean ?

Using Apple family controls means your child:
CAN NOT delete the ScreenCoach app
CAN NOT turn off Screen Time for the ScreenCoach app or for the device it self
Will have Apps blocked when not allowed to use the device or if the ScreenCoach app is not running.

What if I can't enable Apple family controls ?

There is a PLAN B, however there is one limitation, You use the "Screen Time" controls only.

This option can be used for Adults or Child devices were "Apple Family Controls" can not be used (as per previous section above)

This is the generic error the Apple iOS shows if the Apple Family controls can not be enabled

unfortunately we can't tell you will of the 4 issues could be the cause of the issue due to the Apple limitations

The limitation is that the user of that device can turn off ScreenTime for the device or turn it off just for ScreenCoach.

However there re a safety net, the device will show up as unhealthy. Unhealthy devices are listed on your parent dashboard and you are also emailed each night a list of misconfigured devices, with tips on what to do to fix them

NOTE: You should enable the option to NOT ALLOW your child to delete apps on their iOS devices, this will mean that they can't delete the ScreenCoach App,

Where to enable Apple family controls

From the ScreenCoach app

*Switch to Parent user**

From the Settings, select "App Settings"
Enable all permissions on this screen including "App Blocking".

Agree to all the pop-ups that come up when you enable the permissions. *

Removing MDM (Mobile Device Management)

If you need to remove the MDM watch the first third of this video on YouTube

MDMs are using by Schools & workplaces and by some other parental devices management tools.

You cant use an MDM and Apple ScreenTime controls at the same time as they both allow low level controls of the device.

See other related articles:

Setting up an apple Family

Updated on: 31/05/2025

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