PhonePause — Support

PhonePause is a parental control app that lets you lock your child's iPhone during school hours or as discipline — set up directly on their device.

How to Use

1. Open PhonePause on your child's iPhone and grant Family Controls permission when prompted
2. Set a 4-digit parent PIN — this protects all settings and unlocking
3. Choose which apps to allow during lock (e.g., Phone, Maps, Clock)
4. Tap the lock button on the Home screen to lock the phone instantly
5. Enter your PIN to unlock the phone when ready

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the app need Family Controls permission?

PhonePause uses Apple's Screen Time frameworks (Family Controls, Managed Settings, Device Activity) to restrict app usage. Without this permission, the app cannot lock or block apps on the device.

What if I forget my PIN?

There is no PIN recovery option. If you forget your 4-digit PIN, the only way to regain access is to erase the iPhone and restore it from a backup. We strongly recommend writing your PIN down and keeping it somewhere safe.

What is PhonePause Premium?

Premium is a one-time $1.99 purchase (no subscription) that unlocks: school hours scheduling with weekday and holiday support, timed punishment locks that auto-unlock, and Messages/FaceTime blocking during lock.

How do I restore my Premium purchase?

Open Settings in the app, scroll to the Premium section, and tap "Restore Purchases."

Does the lock survive a phone restart?

Yes. PhonePause uses Apple's Managed Settings framework, which persists app restrictions across reboots. The phone stays locked until a parent unlocks it with their PIN.

Can my child delete the app to bypass the lock?

PhonePause guides you through enabling Screen Time restrictions to prevent app deletion. Once configured, your child cannot remove the app without the Screen Time passcode.

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