Apple rolls out a redesigned Screen Time in iOS 27.
The update, shipping with the iOS 27 release on June 17, replaces the old dashboard with a modular view that separates daily use, app limits and content filters. New "Web Limit" settings let parents block categories such as social media or gaming sites, while the "Communication Controls" panel adds per‑contact whitelists for calls and messages. App schedules now support multiple time windows per day, and a "Downtime Override" button lets kids request extra time that parents can approve remotely.
These changes matter because Apple's previous parental tools were largely static and required manual rule‑sets. By letting families set granular web categories and manage communication on a per‑contact basis, iOS 27 narrows the feature gap between Apple and rivals like Google and Microsoft, which have offered similar controls for years.
The overhaul arrives alongside other iOS 27 enhancements for vision‑range devices, suggesting Apple is positioning child safety as a core part of its ecosystem rather than an afterthought.