Support & FAQ

Having trouble? Check the FAQs and setup guide below. If still unresolved, contact us via in-app Feedback.

On iPhone / iPad, download Screen Guardian on the App Store.

Android child phones

The install package and overview are on the Android page.

An Android child phone cannot be unlocked with a password typed on that phone. The lock screen says to ask a parent to approve unlock on the parent phone.

Required: usage access, display over other apps, unrestricted battery, autostart, and the accessibility service. A missing item is shown in red. Autostart cannot be detected by the system, so that row stays red until the brand steps are done.
On Xiaomi, Huawei / Honor, OPPO / realme / OnePlus, and Samsung, follow the in-app brand steps for autostart and unrestricted battery.
A parent should verify with the child: grant the items, swipe Screen Guardian out of recents, reboot, set the clock more than 5 minutes off, open a managed app during a blocked period, then approve unlock from the parent phone.
A normal install cannot block Force stop. A child can still Force stop Screen Guardian in Settings. Force stop and uninstall are blocked only after the phone is QR-provisioned as a managed device on the welcome screen. Some Xiaomi, Huawei, and OPPO welcome screens have no QR setup, so those phones cannot be provisioned and Force stop still works. Removing management requires a factory reset.

Setup

Enable Screen Time on iPhone / iPad (Settings → Screen Time).
For child devices: complete Family Sharing and Screen Time API authorization. Child installs Screen Guardian and joins family; parent creates family and shares the 6-digit code.

Identity & Basic Settings (Quick Start)

Tap Identity & Settings at the bottom to open the wizard.

Parent: 4 steps—choose Parent → notification permission → create or restore family (get 6-digit code) → configure child devices. No close button; complete via Next/Done.
Child: 5 steps—choose Child → notification permission → enter family code to join → Step 4 Select managed apps (required; select apps in the system picker) → Step 5 tap "Go to rules" to set daily limit, blocked period, etc. First-time setup cannot be dismissed by swipe; use the bottom buttons. Re-entering Identity & Settings requires parent password, then the sheet can be dismissed by swipe.
If the family code is invalid or not found, the app shows: "This family code does not exist or has expired. Please confirm the correct 6-digit code with the parent and try again."

Child requests & parent approval

When daily time runs out, during a blocked period, or while locked, the child can request extra time or unlock until a set time.

The parent opens Screen Guardian on their device, reviews the request, and approves or denies with the parent password.
If approved, the child device updates automatically.
Set a parent password in Settings before first use.

Remote lock child device

On the parent app home screen, tap the red Lock button next to each child device. Remote lock is done only in the app—clear and reliable.

Subscription & Premium

Free: daily limit, child requests with parent approval, in-app remote lock/unlock. Premium: blocked period, remote management. Subscriptions via In-App Purchase, monthly or annual (7-day free trial for annual). Manage or cancel in iPhone Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions.

For auto-renewable subscriptions, in addition to our Terms of Use, Apple's standard EULA applies. See our Privacy Policy.

Parent Password

There is no default account or password. Set a parent password in Settings or the relevant screen. This password is used when children request extra time or unlock, and for parent approval.

HarmonyOS

On the parent phone, open Identity / basic setup, choose parent, and create a family. Keep the 6-digit code.
On the child device, choose child, enter the code and a device name, then pick controlled apps in wizard step 4. What Harmony can actually block depends on the system permission.
The home screen shows the daily cap, blocked hours, and eye-rest. Changing rules asks for the parent password, then save and sync. The child device pulls them with Refresh rules.
A lock is usually a parent lock, a blocked period, the daily cap, or an eye-rest break. The child can request unlock. A parent standing there can type the parent password to clear the cloud lock as well.
On launch the app checks the release catalog and, when newer, downloads a hap. Harmony still asks you to confirm the install.

Mac

Open the notarized disk image and drag the app into Applications.
On the parent Mac, create a family and keep the 6-digit code. Restore an existing family with the old code.
On the child Mac, join with that code and select controlled apps there. A parent password set on the parent Mac does not unlock the child Mac.
With the child guard on, a standard account cannot delete the app. Quitting asks for the parent password. An update replaces the app in Applications and asks for an administrator password once.
Mac has no Apple push test. After a parent saves rules, reopen the app on the child Mac.

Windows

Run PingweiSetup.exe. It installs for the current user and adds a Start menu shortcut. No administrator password is required for that install.
Parent PC: Identity / basic setup → I am the parent → create a family. Child PC: I am the child, then the code, a device name, and the controlled apps.
Set a parent password in Settings. There is no default password.
Set the daily minute cap, blocked period, and eye-rest on that child row. The child PC needs a network and a reopen to pick up the rules.
Enhanced mode needs one UAC approval so a child cannot casually quit. The child Windows account should be a Standard user. An administrator can still turn it off or uninstall.
On launch the app checks for a newer build, then replaces its files after it quits. Uninstall from Windows Settings → Apps.

Updates on each platform

iPhone / iPad updates come from the App Store. The app compares the store version and opens the update page.
Android, HarmonyOS, Mac, and Windows compare the release catalog on launch. A download starts only when the catalog build number is higher. Android and HarmonyOS still show the system install prompt. Mac asks for an administrator password. Windows replaces files after the app quits.
A device still on an older package that cannot check for updates needs one manual install of this build. Later updates can then install themselves.

Contact

Shenzhen Zhengyilong Technology Co., Ltd. (operator and copyright holder)

Email: app@qw.cn
Tel: +86 136 8951 6665
WeChat: pingwei1177

WeChat QR code for pingwei1177 — Scan with WeChat to add pingwei1177

Address: Room 422, Building 23, Keyuan West Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
In-app Feedback: Screen Guardian → Settings → Feedback. We'll reply as soon as possible.

See also Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.