We got a SE w/ Cellular for my son who has an iPad but no phone. We can’t find a way to use the current OS’ bedtime mode which is much better than just using Do Not Disturb. We can’t find a way to set this up or use any kind of sleep tracking, and that’s of course a great feature for kids who should be sleeping overnight. Has anyone found a way to use it?
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Bedtime On Family Setup?
- Thread starter schalliol
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I don’t think you can since it relies on the Health app which is only available on the iPhone. Also, the app doesn’t have profiles so you wouldn’t be able to have it sync to your own phone. There’s no mention of children in the Sleep section so I think considers sleep tracking to be an adult function.
That could be. It’s pretty silly though, as one of the primary functions of an Apple Watch is health! They certainly don’t make it clear that on Family Setup devices you really miss out on a lot of functions. Bedtime managed by adults seems like a no brainer for a kid watch, right?
I guess. I don’t have kids so I have no dog in this fight. But I will say there are many health functions that only work after a kid becomes 18 because the readings will not be accurate kids. And while does focus on health for kids they don’t do it in the same way as they do it for adults because of eating disorders. Also it’s very easy to bypass sleep mode and the kids could end up playing games on their watches. There’s no screen time for watches.
I understand they want to limit some of this for eating disorders, etc., but it really doesn’t make sense you can’t have a standard bedtime with alarm in the morning parents could manage and mode other than DND. I thought Family Setup also was supposed to be for aging adults too, and wouldn’t they want to be able to set a bed time mode that makes it easy for them to avoid being disturbed in the night and help them wind down for bed?
There is Screen Time for watches, and it works well.
There is Screen Time for watches, and it works well.
Okay I’ve still been thinking about this. I’ve been trying to find Screen Time for Watch and I haven’t found it. All of ’s articles are only include iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Also, when I check Screen Time my watch isn’t listed as one of the devices. Are you sure you aren’t confusing Screen Time with Schooltime? In which case Sleep tracking, even if it could work with Family Setup, and Schooltime would be contradicting each other.
It’s not currently a supported feature.
Apple said:
Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support
Family Setup lets family members who don't have their own iPhone enjoy the features and benefits of an Apple Watch.
...including Ask to Buy.Apple said:
Also at the bottom of that article...
—————————————Apple said:
I’m not seeing any Watch reference either.
Use Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
With Screen Time, you can access real-time reports showing much much time you spend on your device.
Use parental controls on your child's iPhone and iPad - Apple Support
With Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time, you can block or limit specific apps and features on your child's device. You can also restrict the settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch for explicit content, purchases and downloads, and privacy.
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It’s not currently a supported feature.
What is...Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support
Family Setup lets family members who don't have their own iPhone enjoy the features and benefits of an Apple Watch.support.apple.com
...including Ask to Buy.
Also at the bottom of that article...
—————————————
I’m not seeing any reference either.
Use Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
With Screen Time, you can access real-time reports showing much much time you spend on your device.support.apple.com
I’m glad I’m not the only one who can’t find it. I’m convinced it doesn’t exist for the Watch.
Screen Time does work for Apple Watch and even limits apps on the device and App Store availability on screen, and I used it myself. I guess that’s not good enough for you.
Yeah, I can see you now in the fine print that you can’t use some of those functions, but that is far from showing it to people when they are looking to buy. I still would’ve gotten it, but it’s really disappointing that they turn off even something as simple as a sleep mode. What are the tracking is less important than he able to set wake up alarm times.
Yeah, I can see you now in the fine print that you can’t use some of those functions, but that is far from showing it to people when they are looking to buy. I still would’ve gotten it, but it’s really disappointing that they turn off even something as simple as a sleep mode. What are the tracking is less important than he able to set wake up alarm times.
I realize I didn’t provide any proof. However, those two support pages are what I found too. Both are current and have been updated recently. I’ve Googled and have found no mention of Screen Time for Watch. I’m not saying you’re wrong, just that I’m not convinced that you are right. I also can not find it on my own S5. If you want feel free to prove me wrong. If I am wrong I’ll admit it.
Hi all,
I just got two Apple Watch SE for my two kids also (awesome ATT Bogo $200 off deal). I am too disappointed that the bedtime functionality is missing. The developers must not have kids and don’t understand the troubles parents have with getting kids to go to bed on time and waking up on time.
As for screen time, it does work on the Apple Watch because it is tied to the child’s family profile but can’t set up separate screen time restrictions. Basically the screen time restrictions you set up for the iPad restricts the same apps on the watch. So, the plus side is you just have to set up the allowed and restricted apps once and it just carries over to the watch. The downside is if you want to restrict the app on the watch but not on the iPad, like texting or something, you can’t. So, while the promotional materials doesn’t say it, functionally it’s there. You can only see the options when you set up your family with a member who is under 13. I have no idea what happens to screen time when my kids turn 13. I sure hope I still have control so they are not goofing off at school or when they’re supposed to be doing homework.
Does anyone know how we can send feature requests? I think if enough parents start asking for this it may come at some point. We just need to make our voices heard.
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