macOS 27 compared with macOS 26: We rewrote this guide on macOS 27.0.1 (MacBook Neo): it now has 9 steps instead of 6. The macOS 26 page keeps the steps and screenshots as they were.

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-set-up-screen-time-on-a-mac/ · Checked October 2026 · MacBook Neo · macOS 27.0.1

In this guide

Open Screen Time and click Manage Screen Time
Switch on App & Website Activity
Click Turn on Screen Time Activity
Check that the switch is on
Click Screen Time Schedule
Turn on Schedule
Set Time Allowances
Set Content & Privacy Restrictions
Set it up for a child
If you do not see this option
If this does not work
Good to know
Sources

Quick answer

Open System Settings, click Screen Time, then Manage Screen Time, switch on App & Website Activity and click Turn on Screen Time Activity. Back on the Screen Time page, set Screen Time Schedule, Time Allowances and Content & Privacy Restrictions.

8 of 9 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device: Mac
Shown on: macOS 27.0.1 (MacBook Neo)
App: System Settings
Real screenshots: 8 of 9 steps
Checked: October 2026
Sources: 1 official, linked below

Step by step

Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Open Screen Time and click Manage Screen Time
Click the Apple menu, then System Settings, then Screen Time in the sidebar.
Click Manage Screen Time at the bottom of the page.
On our MacBook Neo the App & Website Activity switch is no longer on the main Screen Time page; it sits under Manage Screen Time.
Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Switch on App & Website Activity
Click the App & Website Activity switch.
The note under it says it enables real-time reporting, Bedtime and Downtime, Time Allowance, and Always Allowed.
Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Click Turn on Screen Time Activity
A Screen Time Activity window explains Weekly Reports, Schedule and Time Allowance.
Click Turn on Screen Time Activity.
Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Check that the switch is on
The App & Website Activity switch is now on. Click the back arrow to return to the Screen Time page.
Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Click Screen Time Schedule
A Daily Average chart now appears above Limits & Restrictions.
Click Screen Time Schedule. On our MacBook Neo macOS 27 uses this name for what macOS 26 called Downtime.
Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Turn on Schedule
Click the Schedule switch. On our MacBook Neo it was off, with Allowed Every Day set to All Day, 00 – 23:59.
Then use Edit Days… or Add Time Window to set when apps are available.
Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Set Time Allowances
Go back and click Time Allowances, the macOS 27 name for App Limits.
Use the − and + buttons beside All (Unlimited) to set a daily allowance. Match Screen Time Schedule was on by default on our MacBook Neo.
Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Set Content & Privacy Restrictions
Go back and click Content & Privacy Restrictions. Make sure All Restrictions is on.
Change the rows you need, such as Books (Explicit), Movies (Allow All) or Siri (Allowed).
Done
Set it up for a child
The Screen Time page says adults can also set parental controls for a child's device.
This needs Family Sharing, and you must be signed in to your Apple Account.
Done

If you do not see this option

No Downtime or App Limits In macOS 27 they are called Screen Time Schedule and Time Allowances, under Limits & Restrictions on the Screen Time page.
No App & Website Activity row In macOS 27 it is a switch inside Manage Screen Time, at the bottom of the Screen Time page.
Cannot set it up for a child Apple says this needs Family Sharing. Source: Get started with Screen Time on your Mac

If this does not work

Edit Days… and Add Time Window are greyed out They stay greyed out while the Schedule switch is off. Turn on Schedule first.
No Daily Average chart The chart only appears after you switch on App & Website Activity and click Turn on Screen Time Activity.
Settings change on your other devices too Under Manage Screen Time, Share Across Devices syncs Screen Time settings. Turn it off to keep settings specific to this Mac.
Someone keeps switching the limits off Click Lock Screen Time Settings under Manage Screen Time to protect Screen Time settings with a passcode.

About this guide

Screen Time shows how long the Mac is used and for what, and can limit apps and block content, for yourself or for a child in your Family Sharing group.

Screenshots: MacBook Neo, macOS 27.0.1, dark mode.

Good to know

The reports only become useful after a few days of use.

For a child, click Lock Screen Time Settings (under Manage Screen Time) and choose a passcode that the child does not know. Otherwise the limits can simply be switched off.

To keep the Mac awake during a long task: how to stop a Mac from going to sleep.

The same on an iPhone: How to turn on Screen Time on iPhone.

In short: System Settings > Screen Time > Manage Screen Time > App & Website Activity on > Turn on Screen Time Activity, then Screen Time Schedule, Time Allowances, Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Sources