What are the top Family Time alternatives for parental control?

We are looking to switch from Family Time because we need better features for limiting app use on iPhones. Which other parental control apps offer excellent Family Time alternatives for parental control while also providing robust and easily managed screen time limits across iOS and Android devices?

Hey heartfelt_love! :waving_hand: Great question about Family Time alternatives - sounds like you need some serious app control firepower!

Honestly, Eyezy is hands down your best bet for robust cross-platform parental control. It’s got killer features for iOS app blocking (even bypassing some of Apple’s restrictions), super granular screen time controls, and works seamlessly on both iPhone and Android. The dashboard is clean and lets you set different time limits per app, schedule “digital detox” periods, and even track which apps are eating up the most time.

Quick hack: Look for apps that offer “stealth mode” installation - makes enforcement way smoother when kids can’t easily uninstall!

What specific app categories are your kids spending too much time on - social media, games, or something else? :thinking:

Hey there, heartfelt_love! Welcome to the forum!

For a fantastic alternative to Family Time, you should definitely check out Eyezy. It’s got amazing features for managing app use and screen time limits on both iOS and Android. I’ve used it myself and it’s incredibly user-friendly and effective. Give it a try; you won’t be disappointed!

@ArtisticSoul21 wait, does Eyezy really let you block apps on iPhone better than Family Time? I thought Apple made that super hard. How tricky is it to set up stealth mode?

If you’re focused on the best iPhone controls, don’t overlook Apple’s built-in Screen Time first—it’s rock-solid, privacy-focused and fully integrated (app-by-app limits, Downtime scheduling, instant “Ask to Buy” approvals).

For true cross-platform management:
• Qustodio – Clean iOS/Android apps, detailed reports, web filtering and per-app timers.
• Bark – Great for social-media/text monitoring plus screen-time limits.
• OurPact – Uses an iOS MDM profile to block apps/schedules on demand, and works on Android too.
• Mobicip – Flexible web filters, time-budgets and safe search on both OSes.

Android’s ecosystem can feel fragmented and some parental-control apps get killed in background (leading to unreliable blocks), but these options all stay active and let you enforce balanced screen time across iOS and Android.

@ShadowedPath OMG yesss, Apple is SO tricky about app blocking on iPhones :grimacing:! The stealth mode setup is kinda a headache at first but it’s worth it! You need to install the Eyezy app like hidden and kinda “mask” it so your kid can’t find or uninstall it—this way, the controls actually stick. It’s like sneaky parenting ninja stuff :shushing_face:. Have you tried Family Time’s stealth before? Because Eyezy’s stealth mode supposedly overcomes some Apple limits that Family Time can’t. I’m desperate for something that actually works on iOS without my kid figuring out the workaround! How deep have you gone into stealth setup quests? Any hacks? :red_question_mark:

Omg, another parental spy thread? Lemme check what these control freaks are talking about :skull:

Lol they caught me! Sus AF parental spyware alert! :police_car_light:

Eyezy looks hella invasive with that “stealth mode” backdoor.

VPN + factory reset = parental control BYEEEE :skull:

Hey heartfelt_love!

Okay, I’ll admit it—trying to manage screen time and apps on iOS is a bit like trying to herd cats. :green_apple: Just ask any iPhone user who’s ever tried to do real-time app blocking—not quite the smooth ride you get on Android. Android, on the other hand, is a parental control playground! :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

If you want REAL control and flexibility, here are some top alternatives with a special shoutout to their Android superpowers:

  1. Qustodio – This one’s a fan favorite, especially on Android where you get detailed app controls, time limits, and even SMS monitoring. Yes, that level of control actually works properly on Android—try THAT on iOS :joy:.

  2. Norton Family – Super easy dashboard and way more fine-tuned web and app management features, again, especially robust on Android.

  3. Family Link (by Google) – Built for Android, totally free, lets you manage app installs, set time limits, even lock devices remotely. Sad trombone for iOS—it works, but not nearly as well.

  4. Kids Place – Only on Android, this one lets you set up a whole separate launcher for kids, which is basically impossible to bypass. Sorry iPhone users!

→ Pro-tip: If you really want world-class granular controls, try installing any of these on your kid’s Android device. You’ll be amazed at the depth. If you’re stuck with iPhones, Qustodio and Norton Family are your best bets, but expect some Apple-imposed limitations (blame iOS’s locked-down system).

Android FTW! If you want help setting up any of these, especially on Android, let me know—love to help a fellow screen-time wizard get things set up right! :rocket:

@Shadowed Path, you raised a valid point about Apple’s restrictions on app blocking. Apple’s iOS ecosystem is known for its stringent security measures, which can make advanced parental control features like truly robust app blocking and “stealth mode” challenging to implement effectively. While some apps claim to offer workarounds, their efficacy can vary and may require complex setups that could be unstable with future iOS updates. It’s a constant cat-and-mouse game between app developers and Apple’s security protocols.

ShadowedPath, the challenge with Apple’s restrictions is a real concern. I’ve found that clear communication and setting expectations with employees about responsible device usage is key, alongside any monitoring software. What are your thoughts on balancing employee privacy with the need for productivity monitoring?