I'm building a parental-control app using FamilyControls, ManagedSettings and DeviceActivity. A guardian can lock a child's device from their own device, and the child's device applies the shield locally. The delivery problem: a background push can't wake our app once it has been force-quit, which is common on a child's device, so guardian-initiated changes sit undelivered until the child happens to open the app. I've found that DeviceActivityMonitorExtension still receives intervalDidStart / intervalDidEnd while the app is force-quit, and that a URLSession request started from the extension completes. So I could register a couple of short recurring DeviceActivitySchedule activities purely to wake the extension every ~15 minutes, check the server, and apply the resulting shield. My question: is using DeviceActivitySchedule purely as a wake mechanism — where the schedule doesn't correspond to any real usage-monitoring window — a supported use of the API, or is it working by accident? I'd rather not build on it if it's the latter. Two smaller ones, if anyone knows: Is network activity from the monitor extension expected to be given time to complete, and is there a documented execution budget? I've seen reports here that the extension stops being invoked after some days without the host app launching. Is that expected, and what re-arms it? If there's a supported mechanism for this that I've missed, I'd much rather use it.

Hi, I am developing a Screen Time App and I am having issues with the ShieldConfigurationExtension (ShieldConfigurationDataSource). I know this extensions is sandboxed but I should be able to read data from the main app. I am using SwiftData as my database, but I am unable to initialize it in the extensions with an error indicating insufficient file permissions. I have App Group set up and I am able to share data using UserDefaults but that is just inconvenient. Is there any way I could just open the SwiftData in read only mode so that I could display the user some info on the shield? SwiftData Init: private func setupContainer() throws { let schema = Schema([ DogEntity.self, HouseEntity.self ]) // Use app group container if available let config: ModelConfiguration if let containerURL = FileManager.default.containerURL( forSecurityApplicationGroupIdentifier: "group.\(Bundle.app.bundleIdentifier ?? "")" ) { config = ModelConfiguration(schema: schema, url: containerURL.appendingPathComponent("default.sqlite")) } else { config = ModelConfiguration(schema: schema) } self.container = try ModelContainer(for: schema, configurations: [config]) } Error in extension: fault: Attempt to add read-only file at path file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite read/write. Adding it read-only instead. This will be a hard error in the future; you must specify the NSReadOnlyPersistentStoreOption. error: (3) access permission denied error: Encountered exception error during prepareSQL for SQL string 'SELECT TBL_NAME FROM SQLITE_MASTER WHERE TBL_NAME = 'Z_METADATA'' : access permission denied with userInfo { NSFilePath = "/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite"; NSSQLiteErrorDomain = 3; } while checking table name from store: <NSSQLiteConnection: 0x154100300> error: Store failed to load. <NSPersistentStoreDescription: 0x15402d590> (type: SQLite, url: file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite) with error = Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=256 "The file “default.sqlite” couldn’t be opened." UserInfo={NSFilePath=/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite, NSSQLiteErrorDomain=3} with userInfo { NSFilePath = "/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite"; NSSQLiteErrorDomain = 3; } Any help appreciated 🙂

Hi there! My claim is that ManagedSettingsStore.TokenExpiryMessage API family doesn't work properly. I'm curious if that's only me, or others have also found it confusing, or non-working? I haven't found much public discussion about it, so this is the start of it. There are multiple confusing scenarios from my playing with it, but the simplest example is that ~30% of my apps NEW users get the ".tokensDidExpire" as soon as they approve Screen Time Permissions. Note that they haven't even seen the FamilyActivityPicker! FB23391495 is the feedback. Apple dev responded, but it didn't give confidence that my bug report was deemed correct (which can be fair!). However, it's current status is "Potential fix identified - For a future OS update," so maybe there is something to it. The API is likely quite difficult to get right, so I am happy to provide feedback on potential implementation so it's 100% solid.

Hello Apple Developer Support / Developer Community, I’m looking for some guidance regarding an issue with my Apple Developer account and App Store publishing. I have been trying to resolve an account/membership issue so that we can properly publish and manage our product on the App Store. Unfortunately, this process has been taking an unusually long time, and we still have not received a clear explanation or resolution from Apple. My Apple Developer account is currently enrolled as an Individual, and I have been asked to migrate the membership from Individual to Organization. The Developer portal currently shows: “You’ve asked for your membership to be migrated from an individual to an organization.” It also provides the “Continue migration” option and asks for our organization information. However, despite providing the required information and contacting Apple Developer Support multiple times, the process is still not completed. I currently have open Apple Developer Support cases under Membership and Account → Account Information Update: Case ID: 102952447898 — latest communication: September 3, 2026 Case ID: 102945341942 — previous communications: July 18, July 21, and July 27, 2026 The older case has already been open for a significant amount of time, and although we have followed up, we still don't have a clear resolution or actionable feedback. Our main concern We need to understand: What is currently preventing the Individual → Organization migration from being completed? Is any additional information or verification required from us? Is there an issue with our organization information that needs to be corrected? Why is the process taking so long despite the support cases and follow-ups? Can an Apple Developer Relations/support specialist review and escalate this case? This situation is becoming very difficult for our team because we are unable to move forward normally with our App Store publishing process. We completely understand that Apple needs to perform verification and security checks. We are happy to provide any additional documentation or information required. However, after multiple support contacts and a long waiting period, we would really appreciate a clear status update and specific instructions on what we need to do next. If anyone from Apple Developer Support or Developer Relations can look into this or advise us on the correct escalation process, we would sincerely appreciate it. Case IDs: 102952447898 102945341942 Thank you for your time and assistance.

Hi Apple Developer Support, I’m developing an iOS app that uses FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, and DeviceActivity. My app requests Screen Time authorization with: try await AuthorizationCenter.shared.requestAuthorization(for: .individual) Issue: On my development-installed build, AuthorizationCenter.shared.authorizationStatus becomes .approvedWithDataAccess, and the app can display usage data. However, after installing the App Store / App Store Connect distribution build, the same device and same flow returns .approved instead of .approvedWithDataAccess. As a result, the app only treats the authorization as management access, not usage-data access. App details: App name: App时记 Main bundle ID: com.qteqpid.appstop Device Activity Monitor extension: com.qteqpid.appstop.AppStopMonitorExtension Device Activity Report extension: com.qteqpid.appstop.AppStopReportExtension Version/build tested: 2.0 (4) Team ID: 5N6B48T57B What I verified: I exported an App Store Connect IPA from Xcode Organizer on September 3, 2026 and inspected the actual signed entitlements with codesign. The main app and both Screen Time extensions all include: com.apple.developer.family-controls = true com.apple.developer.family-controls.app-and-website-usage = true com.apple.security.application-groups = group.com.qteqpid.appstop get-task-allow = false The DistributionSummary.plist also shows Apple Distribution signing and App Store provisioning profiles for the main app and both extensions. Question: Given that the App Store Connect distribution IPA appears to contain the app-and-website-usage entitlement on the main app and both extensions, what conditions would cause AuthorizationCenter.shared.authorizationStatus to return .approved instead of .approvedWithDataAccess for an .individual authorization? Is there an additional distribution-side approval, App ID setting, provisioning support setting, device state, or Screen Time privacy limitation that can prevent .approvedWithDataAccess even when the signed entitlements are present? I would appreciate guidance on how to verify why data access is not granted in the App Store/TestFlight environment. Thank you.

Hi Apple Team, We are using the Accounts MDM payload with: PayloadType: com.apple.MCX DisableGuestAccount: true On macOS 26, even after the MDM profile is successfully applied, a local Administrator can still toggle the Guest User setting in System Settings. Expected: The setting should be enforced by MDM and should not be modifiable by an Administrator. Interestingly, the same configuration works as expected on macOS 27 beta, where the Guest User setting is shown as “This setting has been configured by a profile” and cannot be modified. Could you please confirm whether this is a known issue/regression in macOS 26 and whether there is a workaround or any permanent solution in later patches ? Environment: macOS 26.x Payload: com.apple.MCX DisableGuestAccount = true macOS 27 beta: Works as expected

Hello, Apple Developer Technical Support directed me to the Developer Forums for clarification on the following Family Controls use case. DTS reference: Case-ID 21723677 I am evaluating an iOS app called “Zone” before beginning full development. I would like to determine whether the proposed architecture is considered permitted individual device management for focus and productivity, or prohibited use “in organizational settings” under Section 3.3.3(P) of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. Proposed architecture: Zone is offered to companies as a workplace focus and productivity service. The app is installed on an adult employee’s personally owned iPhone. Participation and each Focus Session are voluntary. The employee independently requests Family Controls authorization using individual authorization. Only the employee can select the apps and websites to restrict. Only the employee can start or stop a Focus Session. During the session, Zone applies restrictions locally on that employee’s iPhone using Family Controls and Managed Settings. The employer cannot authorize or revoke Family Controls access. The employer cannot select restricted apps or websites. The employer cannot remotely start, stop, or schedule a Focus Session. The employer cannot remotely manage or control the employee’s device. Zone would not provide the employer with: Screen Time or Device Activity data App or website tokens App usage history Website browsing history Information about attempts to open restricted apps Location, messages, photos, or other personal device information However, Zone would include a company web dashboard. The dashboard would show only an app-generated boolean status for each participating employee: Zone ON: the employee has voluntarily started a Focus Session Zone OFF: the employee has not started a Focus Session This status is generated by the Zone app itself. It is not derived from Screen Time usage data and does not indicate whether the employee actually attempted to use any restricted app or website. My questions are: Would this architecture be considered permitted individual device management for focus and productivity, even though the service is offered through an employer and the employer can see the Zone ON/OFF status? Or would the employer relationship and company dashboard make this prohibited use of Family Controls “in organizational settings”? If sharing the app-generated ON/OFF status with the employer is incompatible with the Family Controls terms, would the use be permitted if Family Controls operated entirely on-device and no Focus Session status or device information were sent to the employer? Is there another Apple-supported framework or architecture recommended for this use case? I understand that final entitlement approval and App Review decisions may depend on the submitted application. I am seeking architectural guidance before investing in implementation. Thank you.

Hi there, Starting with iOS 26.2 RC, all my DeviceActivityMonitor.eventDidReachThreshold get activated immediately as I pick up my iPhone for the first time, two nights in a row. Feedback: FB21267341 There's always a chance something odd is happening to my device in particular (although I can't recall making any changes here and the debug logs point to the issue), but just getting this out there ASAP in case others are seeing this (or haven't tried!), and it's critical as this is the RC. DeviceActivityMonitor.eventDidReachThreshold issues also mentioned here: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/793747; but I believe they are different and were potentially fixed in iOS 26.1, but it points to this part of the technology having issues and maybe someone from Apple has been tweaking it.

Hi there, I have a developer program subscription but somehow when I log into the website it shows me to enrol again. My subscription renew date is on feb 27. I think is some kind of problem of syncronism or something like that but I need to sort this out ASAP because my business app depends on this. Has anyone had the same problem before? Thanks anyway.

Hi, I've been trying for days to create a developer account to upload an app to the store. I receive the verification code on my phone without any problem, I accept the terms, and when I tap "continue," I always get the message "We are unable to process your request." I also have two-factor authentication enabled, and the problem persists.

Hello everyone, I hope you're doing well. I'm looking for some guidance regarding the Apple Developer account conversion process. Nearly one month ago, we submitted a request to convert our Apple Developer account from Individual to Organization. We also contacted Apple Support and provided the required information. Since then, we have been patiently waiting, but we have not received any updates or feedback via email or through the support process. A few weeks ago, we also created a post here on the Apple Developer Forums hoping to receive some guidance, but unfortunately, we have not received any response there either. At this point, we would simply like to know: Is it normal for the conversion process to take this long? Has anyone experienced a similar delay? Is there anything else we should do, or should we continue waiting for Apple's response? We understand that these requests may require additional review, and we truly appreciate the work of the Apple team. We would just be grateful for any update or advice from the community or Apple staff. Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. Any suggestions or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated. Best regards.

Hello Apple Developer Community, I am looking for guidance regarding an Apple Developer Program organization enrollment issue. I am enrolling as a Company / Organization for my US LLC. My organization has a valid D-U-N-S Number, and Apple Developer's D-U-N-S lookup successfully recognizes my company information. I also received confirmation from Apple Developer Relations that my D-U-N-S information can be used for organization enrollment. However, my organization enrollment was declined without a clear explanation. During the previous review process, there was also a technical issue with my company email server, and I may have missed some communication from Apple Developer Support. The email issue has now been resolved. I am the founder and authorized representative of the company, and I can provide any required company documents or verification information. Has anyone experienced a similar situation where: D-U-N-S verification was successful, company information matched, but organization enrollment was still declined? Any advice on how to request a proper manual review would be appreciated. Thank you.

As of May 8th, 2026, after I upgraded to "codex-cli 0.129.0" via Xcode, I can no longer sign into my ChatGPT account in Xcode Intelligence Settings. The Log In window is always successful, but the settings never update to show the login being successful. It's a constant loop. Perhaps a hand-shake fail. Versions: Tahoe 26.3.1, Xcode 26.4.1, codex-cli 0.129.0.

Following up on my earlier thread about non-blocking interventions. I ran a clean, isolated test on iOS 26.5.2: I start DeviceActivityCenter.startMonitoring with a single event whose threshold is 2 minutes of usage for a selected app (includesPastActivity = false), with actions on eventDidReachThreshold. Result: the event's recorded trigger time is +0 seconds from monitoring start (immediate), it fires without any real usage, and after 2 minutes of actual use no notification and no ManagedSettings shield are applied. This matches the regression discussed in Forum thread 808470 / FB18061981. Concretely, the feature we want to build: while a user is using a selected app, deliver a repeating local notification every N minutes of usage (e.g., every 15 minutes) whose body states how many minutes they've used that app today (e.g., "You've used TikTok for 45 minutes today"). This is a gentle, factual awareness nudge — no blocking. This is exactly what eventDidReachThreshold with multiple thresholds (15/30/45 min…) + sendNotification would do, but that path is broken by the regression above. Questions: Is there a fix timeline for the eventDidReachThreshold immediate-fire regression (iOS 26.x)? Any FB to watch? What is the supported way to implement the feature above — a repeating notification every N minutes of usage, containing the cumulative minutes used today for that app — without relying on the broken threshold event? Specifically: a. How should we obtain the cumulative usage minutes for a selection to put in the notification body? Is the only source a DeviceActivityReport (which renders in an extension and isn't readable as a value in the app)? b. How should we trigger every N minutes of usage if threshold events are unreliable? Is there any usage-based trigger other than eventDidReachThreshold? Until a fix, is a DeviceActivitySchedule-based (wall-clock) approach the only reliable path? Is applying a ManagedSettings shield from the DeviceActivityMonitor extension expected to interrupt an app that is already in the foreground (mid-use), or only at next launch? Our app is non-blocking by design (a brief "pause" nudge + factual usage reminders), fully on-device, Family Controls (Distribution) approved. We'd rather build on a supported path. Thank you.

I'm building a consumer iOS app that helps users be more intentional about opening distracting apps. It never hard-blocks; it only nudges. I have Family Controls (Distribution) approved and a working TestFlight build using FamilyControls / DeviceActivity / ManagedSettings. I've confirmed from testing and the forums that: ShieldActionResponse is only .none / .defer / .close (no supported way to open my main app from the shield extension — threads 719905, 793060). ShieldConfiguration is a static snapshot (no countdown/animation; FB14237883). DeviceActivityMonitor events are threshold/schedule based and cannot hook "the app was just opened," and on iOS 26 eventDidReachThreshold fires immediately/incorrectly (thread 808470). I'd like to confirm the supported approaches for these UX patterns (each = every-app-open vs on-a-schedule): On app open, present my own full-screen UI (a brief non-blocking "pause") without requiring the user to manually create a Shortcuts personal automation. Is there any supported API for this, or is a user-created Shortcuts automation the officially recommended path? On app open, deliver a local notification (rather than UI) — supported only via a user-created Shortcuts automation, or is there another way? On a schedule / at fixed intervals, automatically bring my app's UI to the foreground (e.g., re-show a screen every N minutes) — I believe this is not allowed (apps can't self-foreground); can you confirm, and is a user-tapped notification the only path? On a schedule / at fixed intervals, send repeating local notifications while a usage limit is exceeded — given the iOS 26 eventDidReachThreshold regression, what's the recommended way to reliably detect "over limit" and drive repeating reminders? Some third-party apps appear to open their main app from a shield/monitor context. Is there any supported mechanism enabling that which I may have missed? I'd rather build on a supported path than risk anything review-sensitive. Guidance (or where to file an enhancement request) is appreciated. Thank you.

Hi, I’m using FamilyControls + DeviceActivity. Users select apps/categories/web domains via FamilyActivitySelection. I need to show today’s total usage for that selected group only, not the device’s full Screen Time. Setup: A visible DeviceActivityReport shows today’s per-app list with a daily DeviceActivityFilter for the selected tokens. This visible list is usually accurate and updates quickly. A separate hidden DeviceActivityReport uses the same filter to compute an aggregate total by summing app.totalActivityDuration in makeConfiguration(representing:). The extension sends that total to the main app via notify_set_state + Darwin notification. DeviceActivityMonitor is only used as a fallback. Problem: The visible app list stays current, but the aggregate total for the same selected apps sometimes lags by several minutes or updates only after new selected-app usage occurs. Sometimes the total appears temporarily frozen while the app list still looks correct. Questions: Is a hidden DeviceActivityReport a supported way to compute a selected-app aggregate total? Is makeConfiguration expected to run often enough for a near-live total? Why would the visible per-app report update while a hidden report with the same filter does not? What is the recommended architecture for a reliable, non-inflated today total for selected apps only? Thanks!

Summary: When applying a configuration profile that uses allowListedAppBundleIDs to permit a defined set of apps, essential Apple Watch apps are unexpectedly removed from the paired Watch — even though their associated iPhone bundle IDs are explicitly included. This issue occurs with a minimal profile, and has been consistently reproducible on the latest versions of iOS and watchOS. Impact: This behavior severely limits the use of Apple Watch in managed environments (e.g., education, family management, accessibility contexts), where allowlisting is a key control mechanism. It also suggests either: Undocumented internal dependencies between iOS and watchOS apps, or A possible regression in how allowlists interact with Watch integration. Steps to Reproduce: Create a configuration profile with a Restrictions payload containing only the allowListedAppBundleIDs key. Allow a broad list of essential system apps, including all known Apple Watch-related bundle IDs: com.apple.NanoAlarm com.apple.NanoNowPlaying com.apple.NanoOxygenSaturation com.apple.NanoRegistry com.apple.NanoRemote com.apple.NanoSleep com.apple.NanoStopwatch com.apple.NanoWorldClock (All the bundles can be seen in the Attached profile) Install the profile on a supervised or non-supervised iPhone paired with an Apple Watch. Restart both devices. Observe that several core Watch apps (e.g. Heart Rate, Activity, Workout) are missing from the Watch. Expected Behavior: All apps explicitly included in the allowlist should function normally. System apps — especially those tied to hardware like Apple Watch — should remain accessible unless explicitly excluded. Actual Behavior: Multiple Apple Watch system apps are removed or hidden, despite their iPhone bundle IDs being listed in the allowlist. Test Environment: iPhone running iOS 18 Apple Watch running watchOS 11 Profile includes only the allowListedAppBundleIDs key Issue confirmed on fresh devices with no third-party apps Request for Apple Engineering: Please confirm whether additional internal or undocumented bundle IDs are required to preserve Apple Watch functionality when allowlisting apps. If this behavior is unintended, please treat this as a regression or bug affecting key system components. If intentional, please provide formal documentation listing all required bundle IDs for preserving Watch support with allowlisting enabled. Attachment: .mobileconfig profile demonstrating the issue (clean, minimal, reproducible) Attached test profile = https://drive.google.com/file/d/12YknGWuo1bDG-bmzPi0T41H6uHrhDmdR/view?usp=sharing

On a supervised device running iOS 18 without any AirDrop restrictions applied, when a profile with allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction key is installed, the AirDrop sound plays. But still the accept prompt does not appear, making it impossible to accept files. The prompt works as expected on iOS 18 devices to which the allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction is not installed. This issue occurs only on supervised iOS 18 devices to which the allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction is being applied. Device must be in iOS 18 version > Install the (allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction) profile with the device > Try to AirDrop files to the managed device. The expected result is that the accept prompt must pop up but it does not appear. This issue is occurring irrespective of any Whitelisted bundle ID being added to the allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction profile. Have attached a few Whitelisted bundle ID here com.talentlms.talentlms.ios.beta, com.maxaccel.safetrack, com.manageengine.mdm.iosagent, com.apple.weather, com.apple.mobilenotes, gov.dot.phmsa.erg2, com.apple.calculator, com.manageengine.mdm.iosagent, com.apple.webapp, com.apple.CoreCDPUI.localSecretPrompt etc. Have raised a Feedback request (FB15709399) with sysdiagnose logs and a short video on the issue.

Case ID: 102924093872 Case ID: 102924089648 Hi Apple Support Team, I’m reaching out regarding a critical issue that is blocking my app testing and affecting hundreds of users. I cannot receive the two-factor authentication code for my Apple Developer account. My mobile operator has confirmed that SMS messages from Apple are not reaching their network at all. I also receive no calls. Since my account is not logged in on any device, SMS is the only way I can verify my identity - and it’s not working. I have already submitted two support cases but have not received any response yet. Here is the impact this is having right now: • 250+ people are waiting to get access to test my app • 400 users are already using the app • I cannot sign the new agreement that appeared in App Store Connect • Because of this, TestFlight is completely blocked - both the 10,000 user limit and the 100 user internal testing • Even when I add someone to my team and grant them access, it still doesn’t work for them either I have been building this app for almost 7 months. We are in the final testing stage before I plan to release it for sale. Every day without access is a day my users are waiting and I cannot move forward. I am asking you to please help me resolve this as quickly as possible. I really need your support right now. Thank you so much for your time. Best regards, Tata

I am currently testing Managed Open-In restrictions in an MDM-managed environment on iPadOS 27 beta. I have observed that the restrictions "allowOpenFromManagedToUnmanaged" and "allowOpenFromUnmanagedToManaged", even when set to false, are still being bypassed in certain scenarios. Specifically, I observed two issues: Photos App – Images opened from a managed application can still be saved using the Save to Photos option. Shortcuts App – Custom Shortcuts triggered from the Share Sheet can accept managed content, compress it into an archive, and share that archive with unmanaged applications, effectively bypassing the Managed Open-In restrictions. According to the iPadOS 27 beta release notes, both of these issues were marked as resolved. However, they remain reproducible in my testing on a supervised MDM-enrolled device. I have submitted a detailed report with a sys diagnose log via the Feedback Assistant (FB ID:FB23316986).