In iOS 12, Apple's digital health push includes a couple of special new features for iPhone and iPad users who want to cut down on their app usage: App Limits and Downtime. In this article, we'll show you how to use them.

App Limits allows you to set specific time limits on a particular app category (games, for example). When you've spent the designated time using the app category, iOS sends you an alert notifying you of the fact. Of course, you're free to ignore these alerts, but the idea behind them is that they'll help you manage your time better.

how to set app limits in ios 12
The second feature, Downtime, enables you to set a daily schedule for when you'd rather not use your iOS device at all. Once activated, the feature restricts device usage to phone calls and any apps you've specifically exempted from Downtime. Like App Limits, you can override these restrictions – they're more like good guidance than anything else, and can still help if you honestly want to self-regulate your mobile usage.

How to Set Individual App Limits in iOS 12

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap Screen Time.
  3. Tap the Screen Time graph for this device. Alternatively, tap All Devices.
    ios 12 app limits
  4. Scroll down to the Most Used list and tap an app you want to set a limit for.
  5. Tap Add Limit at the bottom of the menu.
    IMG 0075
  6. Select a time limit using the hour and minute wheels. If you want to set different limits for particular days of the week, tap Customize Days.
  7. Tap Add to apply the app limit.

How to Set App Category Limits in iOS 12

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap Screen Time.
  3. Tap App Limits.
  4. Tap the categories in the list that you'd like to include in the limit, or select All Apps & Categories.
    ios 12 app limits 1
  5. Tap Add in the upper right of the screen.
  6. Select a time limit using the hour and minute wheels. If you want to set different limits for particular days of the week, select Customize Days.
  7. Tap Back when you're done.
  8. Add another limit if desired, or tap Screen Time to return to the main Screen Time menu.

When you're approaching a designated limit, iOS will alert you in advance with a standard notification. When you finally reach the limit, the alert will take over the screen.

ios 12 app limit warnings
If you want to override the custom limit, simply tap Ignore Limit. You can then select either to Reminded Me in 15 Minutes or Ignore Limit for Today.

To delete app category limits and individual app Limits at any time, go to Settings -> Screen Time -> App Limits, tap on the limit you want to remove, then tap Delete Limit.

How to Use Downtime in iOS 12

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap Screen Time.
  3. Tap Downtime.
    ios 12 downtime
  4. Slide the Downtime toggle to enable it.
  5. Select a Start and End time using the dropdown hour and minute wheels.

How to Exempt Certain Apps From Downtime

If there are particular apps which you'd like to remain accessible during Downtime, you can add these to your Allowed Apps list, located in Settings -> Screen Time -> Always Allowed.

ios 12 downtime 1
Simply tap the green plus buttons beside apps that you want to add to the list, or the red minus buttons to remove them.

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