Screen time accuracy?

[scouser75]

Hi guys,

As the title's says, how accurate is Apple's screen time?

My kid's screen time is through the roof and they insist it's totally inaccurate.

They're normally very good on their phone but I've noticed recently WhatsApp and Insta times are very high.

Does screen time count time when the phone's not being used but they receive messages? Or does it only count time it when they're using the phone?

 

[01cowherd]

There have been bugs with Screen Time that result in very high reported usage. You can see the breakdown of what hours the screen time was recorded, which should give some indication of how likely it is to be real.

You can also compare with the Battery usage data (on their phone, so they'd have to show you), which should match up with the Screen Time data (you can tap the bar chart to view per-hour data). The Battery usage data also has had bugs but if I recall correctly usually if it bugs out it's that iOS thinks something is in the background for 24h/day which is very obviously wrong.

 

[bushman4]

Screen time is not accurate it has been buggy since iOS 18. This is one instance where you actually believe your kids
Screen time is almost double on some days

 

[StumpyBloke]

Screen time is not accurate it has been buggy since iOS 18. This is one instance where you actually believe your kids
Screen time is almost double on some days

It’s been completely inaccurate since it was first released: I’m not sure which iOS version that was. But it has never ever worked reliably especially when syncing across devices

 

[FeliApple]

It’s been completely inaccurate since it was first released: I’m not sure which iOS version that was. But it has never ever worked reliably especially when syncing across devices

iOS 12! They changed the battery reporting method back then.

 

[scouser75]

Thanks guys for the info.

I know Apple's main priority is to sell phones and then make people use them as much as possible. But they really do need to ensure that features such as screen time work spot on.

Almost everyone use their phones far far far too much. It not only unsocial, but more importantly, it's not healthy for body or mind.

I'm very strict that my kids don't fall into the trap that what I'd hazard a guess at 80% of people have fallen into - using their phones way too much. My eldest's times ave been around 4 - 5 hours a day - most of which is on WhatsApp and SnapChat. They've been told off many many times, and phone confiscated countless times. But these last few weeks, we've been arguing about the screen time. I'm sick of the tantrums when it's confiscated. And if the times are indeed inaccurate, then I'd feel terrible.

Today we agreed that I set a 3 hour limit and the phone is then used sensibly or else the time will run out and they'll be without a phone till the next day.

 

[StumpyBloke]

Thanks guys for the info.

I know Apple's main priority is to sell phones and then make people use them as much as possible. But they really do need to ensure that features such as screen time work spot on.

Almost everyone use their phones far far far too much. It not only unsocial, but more importantly, it's not healthy for body or mind.

I'm very strict that my kids don't fall into the trap that what I'd hazard a guess at 80% of people have fallen into - using their phones way too much. My eldest's times ave been around 4 - 5 hours a day - most of which is on WhatsApp and SnapChat. They've been told off many many times, and phone confiscated countless times. But these last few weeks, we've been arguing about the screen time. I'm sick of the tantrums when it's confiscated. And if the times are indeed inaccurate, then I'd feel terrible.

Today we agreed that I set a 3 hour limit and the phone is then used sensibly or else the time will run out and they'll be without a phone till the next day.

Indeed, they should be concentrating on providing a reliable, robust operating system/experience but, inarguably, this does not happen anymore. Quality control has gone down the pan, bugs failed to be fixed year after year. Connected services just do not work as intended. Apple Intelligence and Siri are nothing short of two of their biggest fails in the company’s history. Tim Cook only gives a crap about the bottom line and really desperately needs to go. I understand that all companies need and should make money, but not at the expense of the consumer… and in my very humble opinion…that is what we have witnessed for the last few years.

 

[UpsetTheAppleCart]

I’ve long suspected that screen time counts double when playing picture in picture.

 

[scouser75]

And to add insult to injury regarding the screen time issue - after much arguing and deliberation, the kid and I agreed on setting a time period for use. We agreed 3 hours after which all non-essential apps are blocked. I checked the time last night, and it showed just over 4 1/2 hours! So not even that function works!