How to set up Screen Time for WhitelistVideo on iOS

Configure the Screen Time settings that support WhitelistVideo without blocking approved YouTube playback.

Required iPhone and iPad setup

Screen Time settings for WhitelistVideo

After approving Screen Time access for WhitelistVideo, configure these settings:

Learn more about FamilyControls setup →

Set up the supporting Screen Time controls

Screen Time is Apple's built-in parental-control system. Use it alongside WhitelistVideo to:

1. Block app deletion so your child cannot remove WhitelistVideo
2. Control new app installation so alternative browsers or VPN apps require your approval
3. Keep WhitelistVideo available during Downtime periods

What do I need to set up Screen Time?

• Your child's iPhone or iPad with WhitelistVideo installed and activated
• A Screen Time passcode that your child doesn't know
• About 5 minutes to configure settings

How to enable Screen Time

If Screen Time isn't already enabled on your child's device:

On your child's iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Settings app

2. Tap Screen Time

[PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot of iOS Settings app showing Screen Time option]

3. Tap Turn On Screen Time

4. Tap Continue

5. Select This is My Child's iPhone/iPad

6. Follow the prompts to set up Family Sharing if needed

7. Create a Screen Time Passcode (4 digits)

[PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot of Screen Time passcode creation screen]

How to block app deletion

This prevents your child from deleting WhitelistVideo.

On your child's iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings > Screen Time

2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions

[PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot of Content & Privacy Restrictions menu]

3. Enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted

4. Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to ON (green)

5. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases

[PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot of iTunes & App Store Purchases settings]

6. Tap Deleting Apps

7. Select Don't Allow

[PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot showing Deleting Apps set to Don't Allow]

Keep YouTube domains permitted

1. Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Open Content Restrictions > Web Content.
3. Review the Never Allow list.
4. Remove youtube.com, m.youtube.com, youtu.be, youtube-nocookie.com, and any other YouTube domains from that list.
5. Keep Safari and Chrome available if your child uses them.

You may still use a broader Web Content setting that is appropriate for your family. The important rule is that YouTube domains must not be listed under Never Allow.

Restrict new browsers and VPN apps

1. Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Open iTunes & App Store Purchases.
3. Set Installing Apps to Don't Allow, or use your family's approval process for every download.
4. Remove or restrict any already-installed third-party browsers that are not part of your tested setup.
5. Keep Safari and Chrome available; test both after WhitelistVideo has Screen Time access.

How to add WhitelistVideo to Always Allowed

This ensures WhitelistVideo works even during Downtime or when app limits are active.

1. Open Settings > Screen Time

2. Tap Always Allowed

[PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot of Always Allowed apps screen]

3. Find WhitelistVideo in the list

4. Tap the green + button next to it to add it to Always Allowed

[PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot showing WhitelistVideo added to Always Allowed]

How to verify your Screen Time settings

After configuration, test that everything works:

Test app deletion blocking

1. On your child's device, press and hold any app icon

2. The apps should wobble, but there should be no "X" or minus button to delete apps

3. If you see a way to delete apps, go back and check the "Deleting Apps" setting

Test browser restriction

1. Open Safari on your child's device

2. Go to youtube.com

3. YouTube should be restricted by WhitelistVideo

4. Repeat the test in Chrome

5. If unfiltered YouTube loads in either browser, confirm WhitelistVideo still has Screen Time access

Test the regular YouTube app is unavailable

1. Confirm the regular YouTube app has been uninstalled

2. Open the App Store and confirm a new installation requires parent approval or is not allowed

Test WhitelistVideo works

1. Open the WhitelistVideo app

2. Search for a video from an approved channel

3. The video should play normally

4. If blocked, check that WhitelistVideo is in "Always Allowed"

Screen Time setup complete

Your child's iOS device is now protected:

• WhitelistVideo filters YouTube within the app
• Screen Time prevents app deletion and controls new app installations
• YouTube domains remain permitted so approved videos can play inside WhitelistVideo
• WhitelistVideo restricts YouTube through Safari and Chrome while Screen Time access remains active

Screen Time protection levels by age

Screen Time troubleshooting

My child knows the Screen Time passcode

• Change the passcode immediately in Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode
• Use a passcode they can't guess
• Consider using Screen Time via Family Sharing so you control it from your device

Screen Time passcode won't work

• Make sure you're entering the Screen Time passcode, not the device passcode
• If you forgot it, you can reset it using your Apple ID (Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode > Forgot Passcode)

My child disabled Screen Time

• This is only possible if they know the Screen Time passcode
• Re-enable Screen Time and change the passcode
• Consider managing Screen Time remotely via Family Sharing

YouTube is still accessible somewhere

• Confirm WhitelistVideo has Screen Time access
• Confirm the regular YouTube app is uninstalled
• Confirm WhitelistVideo still has Screen Time access
• Test both Safari and Chrome
• Remove or restrict unapproved third-party browsers
• Confirm YouTube domains are not in Screen Time's Never Allow list

WhitelistVideo is blocked during Downtime

• Make sure WhitelistVideo is in the "Always Allowed" list
• Remove any App Limits that include WhitelistVideo

I can't find Screen Time settings

• Make sure you're running iOS 12 or later
• On older iOS versions (11 and earlier), look for "Restrictions" instead

More iOS troubleshooting