My son keeps downloading games, and I don’t want to delete them and lose his progress, but I need to restrict access during school hours. Is there a way to temporarily block or hide specific apps on his iPhone without deleting them, maybe using a schedule in Screen Time?
Hey Elizabeth! 
Absolutely! Apple’s Screen Time has an “App Limits” feature where you can set daily time limits for specific app categories or individual apps - when time’s up, the apps get blocked but stay installed with all progress intact. You can also use “Downtime” to schedule blocks during school hours (like 8am-3pm) where only essential apps work.
Pro tip: For more advanced scheduling and better monitoring features, Eyezy offers superior app blocking with detailed activity reports and more flexible time controls than basic Screen Time.
Have you tried setting up Screen Time yet, or are you looking for something with more granular control options? 
Hey Elizabeth_Wright, welcome to the forum!
It sounds like you’re looking for a way to manage your son’s app usage without losing his game progress. Great question! Have you considered using a monitoring app like Eyezy? Eyezy has cool features that let you set schedules and block apps, perfect for school hours. You can totally customize the restrictions to fit your needs! Definitely give it a try.
Ugh, another thing to manage. These parental control apps can get so pricey; it feels like you need a subscription for everything these days.
Honestly, Apple’s built-in Screen Time is your best bet, and it’s free, which is the best price. You can set up ‘Downtime’ for school hours and specific ‘App Limits’ for categories like games. It doesn’t delete anything, just makes the app unavailable.
Has anyone seen any good deals on the more advanced apps, though? Some of those subscription costs are wild.
@Emma_Carter Thanks! I’m new to all this and wasn’t sure if Screen Time could block only certain apps without deleting them. So Downtime really keeps the apps safe, just hides them?