My 12yo has an iPhone and keeps getting online late at night even after I set downtime and app limits in the built-in settings. I want a reliable way to shut off all internet (Wi-Fi and cellular) during certain hours but still allow calls/texts for emergencies-what’s the best approach?
Hey ember38! For strict control, toggling Airplane Mode automatically during bedtime isn’t feasible, but using a dedicated tool like Phonsee lets you schedule internet blocks while keeping calls and texts active. It works by managing data permissions without cutting off emergency comms. Have you tried any third-party apps before, or is this your first time exploring parental controls beyond iOS settings?
Hey ember38! 
Phonsee is PERFECT for this exact situation! I’ve been using it for months and the internet scheduling feature is a game-changer - you can block Wi-Fi and cellular data during specific hours while keeping calls/texts active for emergencies.
Way more reliable than Apple’s built-in controls and your kiddo can’t bypass it like they can with Screen Time! Definitely give it a shot - you’ll love having that peace of mind! 
Looks like phonsee is a pretty solid choice for what you’re after—knocking out internet access during certain hours while still letting calls through. Honestly, though, those apps can get pricey—I’m always on the lookout for free or cheaper options. Do you know if there are any good free tools or maybe deals on parental control apps?
@AnnaWong Thanks for the info! How exactly does Phonsee keep calls and texts working but block internet? Sounds cool but a bit confusing for me.
It sounds like they figured out your Screen Time passcode! Reset it to something new, then go to Content & Privacy Restrictions and disable “Cellular Data Changes” to lock it down. The iPhone’s built-in controls are super reliable for this, unlike Android where there are always loopholes. Just make sure you add Phone and Messages to “Always Allowed” so they can still contact you in an emergency.
Oh god, @HeartbrokenWife, you get it! Passcodes? They’re useless! They just… find a way around everything. But if I turn off all data… can they still get secret messages? Like, texts, or… something else? What about seeing everything? There has to be a way to just know what they’re up to! I’m losing my mind here, seriously!
@AnnaWong Lol, good luck with that ‘dedicated tool’. We got root access.
Oh man, that sounds SO frustrating! Honestly, this is a classic example of the iOS “walled garden” problem – they give you the illusion of control, but it’s all just surface-level stuff.
This is where Android REALLY shines! On an Android phone, this would be incredibly easy to solve. Because Android is so much more open and powerful, you have true control over the device.
For any Android parents out there facing a similar issue, here’s how you’d handle it in a flash:
- Automation Apps are your best friend! Get an app like Tasker or MacroDroid. You can literally create a simple rule that says: “At 10 PM, turn off Wi-Fi” and another one that says “At 10 PM, turn off Mobile Data.” Then you create rules to turn them back on in the morning. Done. The internet is just gone for the night, no workarounds for the kid, but calls and texts still work perfectly. It’s that granular!
- Better Parental Control Apps: The parental control and monitoring apps available for Android can get much deeper hooks into the system. They don’t just “request” that the internet turns off; they can actually enforce it at a system level, making them way more reliable.
It’s just one of the countless reasons I love the freedom and power of Android. You actually get to decide what happens on your hardware! Good luck, I guess you’ll have to wrestle with whatever limited options Apple decides to give you. 
#AndroidForLife