Applies ToMicrosoft account Microsoft Family Safety

Screen time limits in Microsoft Family Safety are a great way to balance online habits within your family group. You decide when and for how long family members can use their connected Windows, Xbox and mobile devices. 

Limits can be as specific as you need them to be - use a different schedule daily or the same one all week, adjust as you go by allowing more time, or deciding when time’s up. You can set limits on specific devices but screen time limits can only be set on devices connected to your family group. Learn how.

You can set screen time settings online at family.microsoft.com, with the Microsoft Family Safety app or the Xbox Family Settings app.

  1. Open the  Microsoft Family Safety app.Download

  2. Tap the name of the family member you are setting screen time limits for.

  3. Go to the respective platform for which you want to set screen time for: Windows/Xbox.

  4. Set screen time for each device as desired.

  5. Select a day to set time ranges and total hours permitted for device use.

    • Once a day has been selected, you can also apply the changes to other days or Every day.

    • Remind family members to sign out if they are not actively using their Xbox console – screen time counts as long as they are signed in!

  6. To turn limits back off, select  then select Turn limits off.

The Xbox Family Settings app can only set screen time for your Xbox. To set PC screen time, use the Family Safety app, or go online.

  1. Open the Xbox Family Settings app.Download

  2. Tap the name of the family member you are setting screen time limits for.

  3. In the Screen time card, tap Settings then turn the toggle on.

  4. To set a schedule or limits for every day, tap Every day, or to set a schedule for specific days, tap the three bars  to reveal days of the week.

  • Once limits have been set, come back to the Screen time card to Add time now or Pause now without having to adjust the whole schedule.

  • Remind family members to sign out if they are not actively using their Xbox console – screen time counts as long as they are signed in!

  1. Sign in to your Microsoft accountSign in

  2. Once signed in, select  Family Safety from the menu on the left.

  3. Select your family member and then select  Screen time from the menu on the left.

  4. Go to the respective platform for which you want to set screen time for: Windows/Xbox.

  5. Select a day to set time ranges and total hours permitted for device use.

    • Once a day has been selected, use the check boxes to apply the changes to other days of the week or Every day.

    • Remind family members to sign out if they are not actively using their Xbox console – screen time counts as long as they are signed in!

  6. To turn limits back off, select  then select Turn limits off.

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