How to block Settings or Screen Time on iPhone
Many users want to protect their Settings or Screen Time menu to prevent themselves from disabling AppBlock.
Apple does not allow third-party apps to block Settings directly. As a workaround, we use Apple’s Shortcuts app to redirect you to AppBlock when you try to open Settings.
Step-by-step guides
- iOS 16 and older: How to block Settings on iOS 16 and older with AppBlock
- iOS 17: How to block Settings on iOS 17 with AppBlock
- iOS 18: How to block Settings on iOS 18 with AppBlock
Important note for iOS 26
Starting with iOS 26, Apple changed how Shortcuts works, and this method no longer reliably blocks Settings or Screen Time.
However, since iOS 26.4, you can now set up a Screen Time Passcode in Settings. This passcode can be different from your iPhone passcode.
Therefore, you can ask a friend to set up a Screen Time Passcode for you. Once done, you can no longer easily disable Screen Time permissions for AppBlock from Settings.
Quick overview by iOS version:
iOS 16 & older
- ✅ Block Settings via Shortcuts
- ✅ Block Screen Time via Shortcuts
iOS 17
- ✅ Block Settings via Shortcuts
- ✅ Block Screen Time via Shortcuts
iOS 18
- ✅ Block Settings via Shortcuts (iOS < 18.5)
- ⚠️ Block Screen Time is no longer reliable
iOS 26+
- ❌ Block Settings is no longer reliable
- ❌ Block Screen Time is no longer reliable
