Set communication and safety limits and block inappropriate content on iPad

In Screen Time, you can set limits to protect your privacy and block inappropriate content.

Allow or block calls and messages from specific contacts

You can either allow or block communication—including incoming and outgoing phone calls, FaceTime calls, and messages—from certain contacts in iCloud, either at all times or during certain periods.

If you haven’t already turned on Contacts in iCloud, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud, tap Show All, then turn on Contacts.
Go to Settings > Screen Time.
Tap Communication Limits, tap During Screen Time, then select one of the following for communication at all times (other than during downtime):
- Contacts Only: To allow communication only with your contacts.
- Contacts & Groups with at Least One Contact: To only allow one-on-one conversations with people in your contacts and group conversations that include at least one person in your contacts.
- Everyone: To allow conversations with anyone, including unknown numbers.
Tap Back at the top left, then tap During Downtime.
The option you selected in step 3 (for During Screen Time) is already set here. You can change this setting to Specific Contacts, then choose one of the following:
- Choose From My Contacts: To allow communication with your existing contacts during downtime.
- Add New Contact: To add a contact and allow communication with them during Downtime.

If someone who’s currently blocked by your Communication Limit settings tries to call you or send you a message, their communication won’t go through.

If you try to call or send a message to someone who’s currently blocked by your Communication Limit settings, their name or number appears in red in your list of recent calls or messages, and your communication won’t go through. You can communicate with them when the communication limit is changed. If the limit applies only to downtime, you receive a Time Limit message. You can resume communication with the contact when downtime is over.

To resume communication with contacts who are blocked by your Communication Limit settings, change the settings by following the steps above.

Check for sensitive images

You can have your iPad (or your family member’s iPad) detect nudity in images before they’re received in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters, FaceTime messages, the Photos app, and third-party apps that use Apple’s Communication Safety framework. If nudity is detected in an image, the image is blurred and resources are provided to help your child handle the situation (not available in all countries or regions). This feature doesn’t give Apple access to the photos. See the Apple Support article About communication safety in Messages.

Go to Settings > Screen Time.
Tap Communication Safety, then turn on Communication Safety.
When Communication Safety is turned on, iPad detects nude images before they’re viewed, and displays a warning.
Note: When you turn on Communication Safety, it turns on Sensitive Content Warning in Settings > Privacy & Security. You can also turn on Sensitive Content Warning separately in Settings > Privacy & Security. See Receive warnings about sensitive content on iPad.

Block inappropriate content

Set Content & Privacy Restrictions to block inappropriate content and set restrictions for iTunes Store and App Store purchases.

Go to Settings > Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Do any of the following:
- Set restrictions for store purchases and redownloads: Tap iTunes Store & App Store purchases.
- Turn an app or feature on or off: Tap Allowed Apps & Features.
- Set access and content ratings for store, web, Siri, and Game Center content: Tap Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content.
Note: To restrict SharePlay in FaceTime calls on your device, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap Allowed Apps & Features, then turn off SharePlay. To allow SharePlay, turn it on.

Lock your Screen Time settings

You can secure your Screen Time settings by entering a Screen Time passcode. That way, no one can change the settings without first entering the Screen Time passcode.

Go to Settings > Screen Time.
Tap Lock Screen Time Settings (scroll down, if necessary).
Enter a 4-digit passcode, re-enter it, then tap OK.

Note: If you forget your Screen Time passcode, see If you forgot your Screen Time passcode.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Set communication and safety limits and block inappropriate content on iPad

Allow or block calls and messages from specific contacts

Check for sensitive images

Block inappropriate content

Lock your Screen Time settings