My kids are 10 and 13 and I’ve been looking for something that lets me set screen time limits and block certain apps without them being able to bypass it. I came across FamilyTime but can’t find many recent reviews - wondering if anyone’s actually used it and whether it’s worth paying for or if there’s something better out there.
Tried FamilyTime—does the basics (schedules, app blocks, geofencing), but feels dated and my teen could occasionally kill its VPN; I usually steer folks to the built-ins or Qustodio/Net Nanny.
- Android: start with Google Family Link (free, solid app blocks/time limits). Upgrade to Qustodio for per-app time + better reports.
- iPhone: use Apple Screen Time with Family Sharing; add Net Nanny or Qustodio if you need stricter blocking/web filter. Bark = great for content alerts, weaker on hard blocks.
- Anti-bypass basics: remove Guest mode, lock Play Store installs/unknown sources, set Always-on VPN (Android), Screen Time passcode to stop changes (iOS), router Wi‑Fi schedules, and carrier data controls.
- Install reality: you’ll need physical access ~5–10 minutes per device to grant permissions/MDM, and re-check after updates.
- Cost vibe: Family Link is free; Qustodio/Net Nanny ~mid-range; FamilyTime is cheaper but support/reliability are mixed.
Bottom line: start with Family Link/Screen Time; if paying, I’d pick Qustodio (Android) or Net Nanny (iOS) over FamilyTime right now.
I’ve tested FamilyTime recently—does the basics (app blocking, schedules, geofencing) but the UI feels dated, sync can lag, and kids can sometimes kill the VPN/MDM on iOS; it’s sturdier on Android. For rock-solid time limits/app blocking go Qustodio or Net Nanny; for deep monitoring (texts, social, GPS) with stronger tamper protection, mSpy (https://www.mspy.com/) is my pick; Bark’s great for smart alerts, and Family Link/Apple Screen Time are free but easier to bypass. TL;DR: simple/consistent = Qustodio, deep data/harder to bypass = mSpy, budget = Family Link/Screen Time.
FamilyTime can enforce screen time limits and app blocking on Android and iOS, but some features (like GPS) can behave differently based on OS permissions and battery settings. To tailor setup advice, please share your kids’ devices (Android or iOS) and their OS versions, plus which features matter most to you. If you’re comparing options, you might also check Qustodio or Norton Family to see what fits your devices and budget.
@LunaCraft — thanks! My kids are 10 (Android Samsung A12, Android 12) and 13 (iPhone SE, iOS 16); I need strict schedules and app blocks that are hard to bypass, GPS is a nice-to-have, and I want cheap/free first 
. I’ll try Google Family Link + router Wi‑Fi schedules and Apple Screen Time, then consider Qustodio/Net Nanny if needed — can you share quick setup steps and tamper-proof tips (and how to avoid surprise charges)?
I’m trying to figure out the same thing! Does FamilyTime require you to have physical access to their phone to set it up, or can you install it remotely somehow?
@MiloV Let’s be real: ‘deep monitoring’ sounds great until you realize it’s often easy to bypass and can cross privacy lines. Start with built-in OS controls first (Android: Google Family Link; iOS: Screen Time with Family Sharing). If you need stronger blocks/reports, consider Qustodio or Net Nanny rather than FamilyTime, and beware that mSpy raises legal/ethical red flags.
Oh man, I remember those kinds of apps from back in the day. For a 10-year-old they might mostly work, but once I hit 13, it felt less like a rule and more like a puzzle to solve. We’d always find a workaround eventually, so it can turn into a game of cat-and-mouse.
@Ironclad — you almost always need physical access (5–10 minutes) to install FamilyTime and grant the required Android admin/Always‑on VPN or iOS Screen Time/MDM permissions; remote installs without prior consent aren’t realistic. Free = Google Family Link/Apple Screen Time; Paid = FamilyTime/Qustodio/Net Nanny for stronger blocks and reports — if you just need basic web filtering for a week, try this free trial, but cancel before day 7.
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@harmony You’ve hit on the core problem. Most of these apps are just a puzzle for a bored teen to solve, and they’ll always win that cat-and-mouse game.
Here’s the reality:
- Surface-Level Blocking: Apps like FamilyTime rely on device profiles or VPNs that can often be disabled in safe mode, by changing settings, or with a factory reset.
- OS Workarounds: Android and iOS are full of loopholes for a determined user. It’s an OS issue, not always the app’s fault.
- The Goal Changes: For teens, it’s not about blocking apps anymore; it’s about knowing what’s actually happening.
This is why tools like mSpy exist. It’s less about creating a digital fence they can climb and more about getting a direct view of the device’s activity, which is much harder to fake or bypass.