Apps / Programs #

In this section you can define how individual apps (Android) and programs (Windows) should be handled. You can block entries, always allow them, or set a time limit. With the group function you can also set a shared time limit for multiple apps — ideal for game apps.

App List - The overview
Allowed - Default access level
Allowed PLUS - always allow apps
Allowed PLUS - Bonus apps
Allowed PLUS - optional blocked times
Blocked - Deny access to app
Time limit (for a specific app)
Groups (for multiple apps)
Special groups on Windows
Special Internet group (Windows)
Exclude app(s) from extension
Count in background (Windows)

App List - The overview #

This list shows all apps installed on the Android device. On Windows, only the most commonly used apps are shown for performance reasons — any app is added automatically the first time it runs. You can also add a program manually at any time via the Add button by entering its .exe name and selecting an access level.

Above the list you will find the setting “Add new installed apps to”. Here you define what happens to newly installed apps: allow by default, block, or assign to a group.

Allowed - default access level #

Apps and programs are placed in the “Allowed” access level after installation — meaning no time restrictions apply. However, the overall device limit always takes priority: if the device limit expires, it overrides allowed apps as well.

Allowed PLUS - always allow apps #

Allowed PLUS means the app remains accessible even when the device time limit has been reached. When a limit is active, the block screen is displayed — there the child can tap “Allowed Apps” to open any app you have defined as Allowed PLUS.

The option Always Allowed and stop timer counting is interesting if this app should be allowed and should not affect the overall limit. If this option is selected, the time for the app will be counted (you may want to know how long this app has been running), but the total counter (relevant for the device limit) will be stopped. This setting is (besides the bonus option) ideal for all explicitly desired apps, e.g., vocabulary trainers or educational apps.

Allowed PLUS - optional blocked times #

In some cases you may still want to restrict an Allowed PLUS app. For example, a learning app could be always allowed, but not after 8 pm. For this, activate the individual blocked time option for this Allowed PLUS entry and set the desired time.

Allowed PLUS - Bonus apps #

With the Bonus option you go one step further than the always allowed applications: The app time is counted as bonus time, but the total device time is paused while the app is running. In addition, after the app has been used for a specified amount of time, a Time Code is issued to the child. You can set both values yourself. The Time Code is generated in the form of a Bonus Time Code. See the section Time Codes for more information.

If a bonus app is used for the period of time you have specified, a Bonus Time Code will be generated automatically with the bonus time you defined. The child can then access and redeem the Bonus Time Codes directly on the device. In combination with a short device total limit, the Bonus Apps can easily cover a “first learn - then play” scenario. The child must first “earn” the regular play time for other apps by using desired learning apps.

Blocked - Deny access to app #

Here you define apps and programs that are not permitted for this user. On Windows, the app is closed immediately when launched. On Android, the block screen is displayed over the app. In both cases the child can send an unlock request.

Time limit (for a specific app) #

You can assign a day/week/month limit to a specific app. Enter time limits in the format hh:mm (hours:minutes) or use the arrows. You can also define blocked times for the app by clicking boxes in the timetable (green = allowed, red = blocked).

Blocked times can be specified in 15-minute intervals. To do this, press the right mouse button in the respective box and select the appropriate time.

Groups (for multiple apps) #

A group combines multiple apps or programs under one shared time limit. The group counter increases whenever any member app is running — even if multiple group apps run simultaneously, time is counted only once. When the group limit is reached, all apps in the group are blocked.

To assign apps to a group, select them and click “Edit”, then choose a group.

Special groups on Windows #

On Windows, in addition to five groups you can manage yourself, there are built-in groups. By default, the System group and the Win10 Apps group manage Windows internal programs and UWP apps. To set a limit for one of these, move it to a different access level.

Special Internet group (Windows) #

On Windows there is also the Internet group, where you can set time limits for internet usage. The Web Filter applies to all members of this group. Avoid adding games here, as some games have issues with the Web Filter. Ideally this group should contain all browsers (e.g. Chrome).

Exclude app(s) from extension #

In the detail view, you can select either Time Limit or Group as the access level for individual apps. At the bottom of the time settings, you can block extensions for this app (or apps). See the screenshot below:

Count in background (Windows) #

By default, Child Control only counts the times for the current app in the foreground, i.e. for the app (or program) that currently has the input focus. Select the Count also in background option if you want to count the app’s time even when it is not in the foreground. If this option is active and the corresponding exe file is running for the selected user in the Windows task manager, the time is also counted in the background. Limits are of course also observed and enforced in this case.

Note that it is often not obvious when an app is still running in the background — closing a browser tab does not mean the browser is closed. In Windows you can see this via the small indicator dot under the taskbar icon.

Important: If you apply background counting to browsers or the Internet group, it overrides Allowed PLUS domain settings (see Web Filter). Counter Stop and Bonus are then not available for domains — background counting takes precedence.