Apple has introduced a revamped Screen Time feature as part of the OS 27 update, but users report significant difficulties in enabling the service. The new system requires every device within an Apple Family Sharing group, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Vision Pro headsets, to be updated to the latest OS version to function.
The requirement for universal updates creates hurdles for families with older hardware. Devices incompatible with OS 27 cannot run the new parental controls, and some users have found that they must remove these legacy devices from their accounts entirely to activate the service on newer hardware. Apple has acknowledged the rollout delays and is working on improvements.
Technical glitches further complicate the setup process. Users have reported issues where updated devices are incorrectly identified as running older software versions or where ghost devices remain linked to accounts. Removing these phantom devices from settings can resolve the issue, though the process may require waiting for system synchronization.
