Screen time bug

Hi ibiscp,

A Screen Time bug that keeps counting app usage even with the screen locked? 😔 I'm sorry for this difficulty! It's quite inconvenient when reports don't show the reality and you can't get an accurate view of your screen time.

Let's try to help you by providing some tips and steps that might assist you in finding a solution!

This is a very interesting observation. Screen Time is designed to be very precise, but if an application remains active in the background (for example, playing audio, downloading something, or with Location Services active), the system might, in some cases, count it as "usage." However, a full hour of usage with the screen locked by an app that shouldn't be active is unexpected behavior and could be a software bug.

Here are the most important tips and first steps to resolve this:

1. Force Quit the Suspect App:

• • The first tip is to ensure that the app being incorrectly counted (even with the screen locked) is completely closed before you lock the screen.
  • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to open the app switcher.
  • Drag the app that is being incorrectly counted up to force quit it. Always close it before locking the screen.
  • See if this changes the count.

1. Give your iPhone a "Breather" (Force Restart):

• • A simple restart can resolve minor system "hiccups" that affect how Screen Time counts usage.
  • Quickly press and release the Volume Up button ⬆️.
  • Then, quickly press and release the Volume Down button ⬇️.
  • Next, press and hold the Side button 🔌 until the Apple logo 🍎 appears.

1. Check iOS and App Updates:

• • Ensure your iPhone 15 Pro is running the latest version of iOS 18 (currently iOS 18.5). Apple frequently releases updates that fix system bugs, including those related to Screen Time. Go to Settings ⚙️ > General > Software Update.
  • Also, check if the app being incorrectly counted is on its latest version in the App Store 🟦.

1. Review App Settings (Background App Refresh and Location):

• • Go to Settings ⚙️ > General > Background App Refresh. Deactivate this option for the app that's being incorrectly counted, or deactivate it completely for all apps and see if this resolves the issue.
  • If the app uses Location Services, go to Settings ⚙️ > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Tap on the app's name and change its access to "While Using the App" or "Never" if it doesn't constantly need your location.

1. Deactivate and Reactivate Screen Time:

• • This tip will erase your previous Screen Time history but might resolve counting issues.
  • Go to Settings ⚙️ > Screen Time.
  • Scroll down and tap "Turn Off Screen Time". Confirm.
  • Restart your iPhone.
  • Go back to Settings ⚙️ > Screen Time and tap "Turn On Screen Time" again. Use your iPhone for a day and see if the count normalizes.

For more tips about Screen Time:

• Use Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch 🔗

If the problem persists after all these checks:

If, even after all the tips above, Screen Time continues to count usage incorrectly, the best course of action is to submit feedback directly to Apple. Since you suspect a bug, your observation is very valuable for them to

investigate and correct in future updates.

• Product Feedback - Apple 🔗
• To contact support: Contact Apple Support 📞

I hope these tips help resolve the accuracy problem of Screen Time on your iPhone 15 Pro! 🤞

If this content was helpful or brought you clarity, a click on 'Vote positive' ⬆️ is a recognition that helps a lot! This way, the solution gains visibility and more people can be assisted.

 Guibarboza 🙋🏻‍♂️

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