App Screen Time Limit

App Screen Time Limit

Feature Overview

Screen Time Limit allows account managers to control daily usage time for specific apps on a protected device.

Instead of setting limits in advance for all apps, limits are configured only for apps that have already been used on the device.
This ensures limits are applied based on real usage data, helping manage and contain app usage in a practical and gradual way.

Screen Time data and controls are available per device in both the Canopy Dashboard and the Canopy app for Management.


iPhone Requirement (Important)

On iPhone/iPad devices, Screen Time tracking and App Limits require that the protected device has a lock screen passcode enabled.
If the iPhone/iPad does not use a passcode:
  • App usage may not be tracked correctly
  • Screen Time statistics may not appear
  • App Limits may not function properly

This is due to Apple system restrictions.

Supported lock methods include:

  • Passcode
  • Face ID
  • Touch ID

To enable this on the protected iPhone/iPad:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to:
    • Face ID & Passcode
      or
    • Touch ID & Passcode
  3. Tap Turn Passcode On
  4. Create a device passcode

Once enabled, Screen Time tracking should begin functioning normally after synchronization.

Important:

  • This requirement applies only to iPhone/iPad devices
  • Android devices do not require a lock screen passcode for Screen Time tracking

How to Set App Time Limits

  1. Log in to the Canopy Dashboard (web) or Canopy app for Management.

  2. Select the device you want to manage.

  3. Open the Screen Time tab.

  4. Review the list of used apps and their daily/weekly usage.

  5. Select an app from the list.

  6. Set a daily time limit for that app.

  7. Save your changes.

Notes:

  • Limits can only be set for apps that appear in the used apps list.

  • If no app usage data exists yet, no limits can be configured.

  • Limits apply automatically every day.


Notifications

Canopy provides advance notifications to prevent unexpected blocks.

Protected Device Notification

The protected device receives a notification 10 minutes before an app reaches its daily time limit.

Admin Notifications (Optional)

Account managers can choose to receive notifications when limits are reached.

Notification preferences are managed from the Dashboard or Canopy App, just like all other Canopy notifications.


When an App Reaches Its Limit

Once an app reaches its configured daily App Limit:

  • The app is blocked.

  • A block page is shown on the protected device explaining that the app's time limit has been reached.

  • The protected user can close the block page at any time by tapping X.

  • If additional time is needed, the protected user can request extra time directly from the block page.

Requesting Additional Time

From the App Limit block page, the protected user can select Request More Time and choose an available duration:

  • 5 minutes

  • 15 minutes

  • 30 minutes

The user can then choose one of two approval methods.

Option 1: Send a Request

The user can send a request to the Canopy Admin App for approval.

The request includes:

  • The device name

  • The blocked app

  • The requested amount of additional time

  • The time the request was created

The account manager, parent, or accountability partner can approve or deny the request from the Admin App.

If the Request Is Approved

  • The requested amount of time is added to the available allowance for that specific app.

  • Access to the app is restored immediately.

  • The original App Limit is not changed.

  • Once the additional time has been used, the app is blocked again if the original limit has already been reached.

If the Request Is Denied

  • The app remains blocked.

  • No additional time is granted.

Option 2: Approve with Canopy Password

Instead of sending a request to the Admin App, the user can select the password approval option and enter the Canopy account password.

If the password is successfully authenticated:

  • The requested amount of time is granted immediately.

  • No request is sent to the Admin App.

  • The original App Limit is not changed.

  • The password approval is recorded in the activity history.

Important Notes

  • Additional-time requests are available only after an App Limit has been reached.

  • Additional time applies only to the blocked app.

  • The original App Limit is not changed.

  • Only one active request per app can exist at a time.

  • While a request is pending, another request cannot be created for the same app.

  • If the app is no longer blocked when an administrator approves a pending request, the approved time is still added to the app's available allowance.

  • All admin approvals, denials, and password approvals are recorded in the activity history.

  • This feature currently applies to App Limits only.


Temporary Exceptions (Limitless Apps)

Account managers can:

  • Temporarily mark an app as Limitless, allowing unrestricted access.

This can be:

  • Reverted at any time.

  • Used as a short-term exception without changing permanent daily limits.