How people get around Screen Time, and fixes

Nearly every way around Screen Time runs through the passcode. Close that and most of the rest close with it. Each fix below is checked against Apple's support pages for iOS 27, with the iOS 26 label where it differs.

You know the passcode, or there isn't one

Apple says that once a Screen Time passcode is set, it "must be entered before you can change any Screen Time settings" (Apple). If you know it, nothing is locked.

Fix: set up the filter first, then hand the phone to someone you trust. They go to Settings, Screen Time, Manage Screen Time, Lock Screen Time Settings, and enter a four-digit code twice without you watching (iPhone User Guide). On iOS 26, Lock Screen Time Settings sits further down the Screen Time screen.

The passcode gets reset through recovery

A reset asks for the Apple Account used to set up passcode recovery, which "might be a different Apple Account than the one that you're signed in to on your device" (Apple).

Fix: when the phone asks for a recovery account, the other person enters their own Apple Account. If it's yours, you can reset the code whenever you like. Who to ask is in should I tell someone I am quitting.

An app goes on the Always Allowed list

Apps on it can be used "regardless of any Screen Time schedules or Time Allowances you've set" (iPhone User Guide).

Fix: open Settings, Screen Time, Always Allowed, tap Edit and remove anything that shouldn't be there. Do it before the passcode goes on.

The blocker app gets deleted

Fix: on iOS 27, open Settings, Screen Time, Apps & Websites, Restrictions, and change Deleting Apps from Allowed (Apple). The iOS 26 path is in how to make Screen Time hard to turn off.

The clock gets changed to dodge a schedule

Apple lets you turn off Set Time Automatically under General, Date & Time (iPhone User Guide), and it doesn't document a way to lock that on your own iPhone.

Fix: don't lean on schedules or time allowances for porn. Limit Adult Websites has no time setting in Apple's menus. The steps are in how to block porn on an iPhone.

Another device, or a site allowed from the block page

Share Across Devices applies "any Screen Time limits or schedules" to the iPhone, iPad and Mac on your Apple Account (iPhone User Guide).

Fix: turn it on under Settings, Screen Time, Manage Screen Time, and set the website filter on each device too. For sites allowed from Safari's block page, check the Allowed list, covered in Limit Adult Websites not working.

What to do tonight

Pick the person, set the filter, empty Always Allowed, block deleting apps, then have them lock it. Erasing the iPhone sits outside every setting here.

Monke Reset's blocker runs on the same Screen Time filter, so whoever holds the passcode can switch it off too.