As the Apple Watch continues to grow in popularity, the wearable device is being used by more students.

But instead of parents having to worry about their children being distracted by the multipurpose device, Apple has created a special mode—aptly named Schooltime—to limit watch features during school hours to allow better focus.

We’re taking a closer look at Schooltime and how you can set up and use the Apple Watch feature.

What is Schooltime?

Apple watch schooltime
Image Credit: Apple

Schooltime is a student-focused alternative to other Apple Watch features like Do Not Disturb in Theater Mode.

In Schooltime, you’ll see a special simplified watch face with the current time and date. There are no complications or other distractions. It also silences notifications and blocks all access to apps. You can still receive emergency calls, though.

Set Up Schooltime

For a parent to set a Schooltime schedule on their children’s Apple Watch, the device will first need to be set up with Family Setup.

For that, you’ll need an Apple Watch Series 4 or later or Apple Watch SE with cellular service. The watch will also need watchOS 7 or later installed. A parent will need an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14 or later installed.

Any Apple Watch with Family Setup doesn’t require an iPhone to use. A student can receive messages, make phone calls, and more.

To find out more about the Family Setup, make sure to read our primer on the process.

Once that is complete, head to the companion Watch app on your iPhone. If you’re new to the Apple Watch, this is where you can customize many features of the device. For a newcomer to the watch, find out more about the device in our Apple Watch beginner’s guide.

schooltime schedule
Image Credit: Apple 

In the My Watch tab, select All Watches. Then select the watch under Family Watches. Select Done and then choose Schooltime.

After turning on Schooltime, select Edit Schedule. In that area, you can customize the days and times for Schooltime to be active on the Apple Watch. Selecting Add Time will allow you to create multiple blocks during the day when the feature will be active on the watch.

Exiting Schooltime and Viewing Reports

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A student can easily exit Schooltime when necessary, for example, to quickly check a message. To do that, tap the display and turn the Digital Crown. Finally, you’ll select Exit. If a Schooltime schedule is active, the mode will automatically resume.

You can view a quick report of all the starting and ending of a Schooltime mode exit. You can see the time and for how long.

To see a report, head to the Watch app and select All Watches. After selecting your child’s watch, choose Schooltime.

The information is also available on the child’s Apple Watch. To view it there, push the Digital Crown once and choose the Settings app. Then select Schooltime.

Anyone Can Use Schooltime

Add schooltime apple watch

And you don’t have to be a student to use the Schooltime mode on their Apple Watch. It’s available on any watch with watchOS 7 or later.

To activate it, swipe up on a watch face to bring up Control Center. You’ll need to add the Schooltime button. So scroll to the bottom and choose the Edit button. Finally, choose the Add button (+) on the Schooltime icon to add it for quick and easy access.

Now, at any time, choose the icon in Control Center to activate the mode. Exit by turning the Digital Crown and selecting Exit.

Using Schooltime on Apple Watch to Help Focus

The Apple Watch Schooltime mode can help students, or anyone else, better focus on the task at hand.

It’s a great way to balance the modern convenience that the Apple Watch provides and a perfect way to tune out distractions when needed.