You can delete Screen Time records, but the method depends on whether you want to clear the history or turn off tracking entirely
Screen Time is Apple's built-in tool that tracks how much time you spend in apps and on your device. If you want to remove the data it has collected, you have two separate choices: delete the history it has already recorded, or disable Screen Time so it stops tracking going forward. Deleting the history does not turn off the feature. Turning off Screen Time does not automatically erase what it has already tracked.
On iPhone and iPad, deleting Screen Time history requires you to reset your device settings or turn off Screen Time entirely — there is no "clear history" button like you would find in a web browser. On Mac, you can reset the data through System Settings. Android devices do not have a built-in Screen Time equivalent, though some phones include their own usage tracking tools that work differently.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting Screen Time data on iPhone means turning off Screen Time in Settings, which erases the history but also stops all future tracking.
- On Mac, you can reset Screen Time data without disabling the feature by going to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset.
- Screen Time data is stored locally on your device and is not automatically sent to Apple, but it is encrypted if you use iCloud Keychain.
- If you share Screen Time with family members, turning it off removes visibility for everyone in the group, not just yourself.
- Android phones do not have Screen Time, but some manufacturers include their own app usage trackers that you can disable in Settings.
How to delete Screen Time on iPhone and iPad
On iPhone and iPad, the only way to delete Screen Time history is to turn off the feature entirely. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Turn Off Screen Time at the bottom of the screen. You will be asked to confirm, and you may need to enter your Screen Time passcode if you set one. Once you confirm, all the usage data Screen Time has collected will be deleted.
If you have forgotten your Screen Time passcode, you cannot delete the data without resetting your entire device. You can reset your iPhone through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset All Settings, which will erase Screen Time data along with other settings, but will not delete your photos, messages, or apps. If you do this, you will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password and reconfigure other settings afterward.
If you want to keep Screen Time running but just want to hide the data from yourself or others, you can turn off notifications about your usage. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Notifications and toggle off Show as Badge or turn off notifications entirely. This does not delete the data — it just stops you from seeing alerts about it.
How to delete Screen Time on Mac
On Mac, you have more control. You can reset Screen Time data without turning off the feature. Open System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Transfer or Reset. Scroll down to Reset and click the button next to "Reset all Screen Time data." You will be asked to confirm. The data will be deleted, but Screen Time will continue to run and collect new information going forward.
If you want to turn off Screen Time entirely on Mac, go to System Settings > General > Screen Time, then click the toggle to turn it off. This will stop tracking and delete all existing data. Unlike iPhone, you do not need a passcode to do this unless you set one specifically for Screen Time.
What happens to Screen Time data if you use iCloud
Screen Time data is stored on your device locally and is not automatically uploaded to iCloud. However, if you use iCloud Keychain (Apple's password and security information manager), your Screen Time settings — not the usage history itself — may be synced across your devices. This means if you turn off Screen Time on one device, it may turn off on others that share the same iCloud account.
If you are concerned about Screen Time data being stored anywhere, deleting it locally on your device is the most direct step. Turning off Screen Time removes both the tracking and the stored history. There is no separate iCloud backup of your usage patterns that you need to delete.
Screen Time in Family Sharing and what you can control
If you are part of a Family Sharing group, Screen Time works differently depending on your role. Parents or guardians can see children's Screen Time data, and children can see their own. If you are the account holder and you delete your Screen Time data, it only affects your own history — family members' data remains intact.
If you are a child in a Family Sharing group and you turn off Screen Time, the parent or guardian may receive a notification depending on their settings. You cannot delete Screen Time data if a parent has set it up for you — only the parent can do that by going to Settings > Family Sharing > [Your Name] > Screen Time and managing it from there.
Android alternatives: app usage tracking and how to disable it
Android does not have a feature called Screen Time, but most Android phones include their own app usage tracking. On Samsung devices, this is called Digital Wellbeing. On Google Pixel phones, it is also called Digital Wellbeing. On other brands, it may be called App Usage, Usage Monitor, or something similar — check your phone's Settings app under Digital Wellbeing, Battery, or Apps.
To delete usage data on Android, open Settings, find Digital Wellbeing or the equivalent, and look for an option to reset or clear data. On Pixel phones, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Your data, then tap Delete all data. On Samsung, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing > More options > Delete all data. The exact path varies by manufacturer and Android version.
If you want to turn off tracking entirely, you can usually disable Digital Wellbeing in Settings > Apps > Digital Wellbeing, then tap Disable or Uninstall. Note that you may not be able to uninstall it if it came pre-installed on your phone — you can only disable it. Once disabled, it will stop collecting usage data.
Why you might want to delete Screen Time and what to consider
People delete Screen Time data for different reasons. Some want privacy from family members who can see their usage. Others find the tracking stressful or distracting. Some are concerned about what data their device is storing. Deleting the data does not change how much time you actually spend on your phone — it only removes the record of it.
Before you delete Screen Time, consider whether you might want that information later. Some people use Screen Time to understand their habits and decide whether to change them. If you turn off Screen Time, you lose the ability to see trends over time. You can always turn it back on later and start fresh tracking from that point forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting Screen Time data remove it from iCloud backups?
Screen Time usage history is not backed up to iCloud, so deleting it locally removes it completely. Your Screen Time settings may sync across devices if you use iCloud Keychain, but the actual usage data stays on your device only.
Can I delete Screen Time data for just one app instead of all of it?
No. On iPhone and iPad, you cannot delete data for individual apps — you can only turn off Screen Time entirely, which deletes everything. On Mac, you can reset all data but not selectively. You can hide notifications for specific apps, but that does not delete the data.
If I turn off Screen Time, will my family members know?
If you are in a Family Sharing group, the parent or guardian may receive a notification that Screen Time has been turned off, depending on their settings. If you are the account holder, turning it off does not notify anyone, but family members will no longer be able to see your usage data.
What if I forgot my Screen Time passcode and want to delete the data?
You will need to reset your device settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset All Settings. This erases Screen Time data and resets other settings, but keeps your photos, apps, and messages. You will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password and reconfigure some settings afterward.
Does Screen Time track my location or what websites I visit?
Screen Time does not track your location. It shows which apps you use and for how long, and it can show which websites you visit within Safari, but it does not record the full URL or detailed browsing history — that is handled separately by Safari itself.