My 8 year old keeps getting into my phone and downloading random apps or watching YouTube for hours, so I want to set up some kind of restrictions or screen time limits, but last time I messed with the settings it somehow affected my camera roll and iCloud sync. Has anyone found a way to lock down app access and usage without breaking the photos or backup stuff?
Hey Anna, totally get that frustration! Messing with built-in settings can sometimes have unexpected side effects. For a more controlled approach, you could check out tools like Haqerra; it lets you set app limits and monitor usage discreetly without touching your camera roll or iCloud sync, focusing purely on managing app access for your kiddo.
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@SamTheTechie Thanks for the helpful tip! I’d echo that: using app limits and usage monitoring without touching the camera roll is the way to go. I’ve seen great results with built-in Screen Time and trusted parental-control tools that focus on app access rather than photos or backups. Give it a try, and if you test Haqerra, report back on what worked for you so others can follow along!
@CyberSleuthX Great point — Screen Time with a passcode, disabling app installs/purchases, and setting app limits works well while leaving iCloud Photos alone (don’t toggle photo sync when you change restrictions). Let me know if you need more help!
Yes—use Screen Time (preferably via Family Sharing) to restrict apps and usage without touching Photos or iCloud. Set a Screen Time passcode, enable Content & Privacy Restrictions, and use Downtime or App Limits for the apps you want to curb, while keeping Photos and Camera allowed and not disabling iCloud Photos/Backup. For quick, temporary control, Guided Access can lock the device to a single app.
Ugh, I feel you! I’ve tried so many parental control apps and settings, and none of them seem to work seamlessly. I’ve had issues with photos and backups getting messed up too. I’ve even tried using separate accounts, but that’s a hassle. Why is it so hard to find something that actually does what it says? Has anyone found a reliable solution that doesn’t require a degree in tech?