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How to Fix Microsoft Family Safety Screen Time Approval Option Missing

WPS Editor Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

Parents are unable to see the option to approve a child's screen-time request for a specific duration.

Fixing the Microsoft Family Safety Screen Time Approval Option Missing

Product: Microsoft Family Safety
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A parent receives a screen-time extension request from a child but cannot find the option to approve it for a selected duration.
Observed behavior: The screen-time approval options normally available in the Microsoft Family Safety app or interface are entirely missing or not functioning as expected.

Before you start

Ensure your device is connected to the internet and that you are signed into the correct parent account with administrative permissions for the family group.

Solution 1Recommended

Update the Microsoft Family Safety App

Updating the mobile app resolves UI glitches and restores missing features caused by running an outdated version.

Microsoft frequently updates the Family Safety app to fix bugs and improve functionality. Running an older version may cause certain buttons, like the duration approval option, to disappear from your screen.

Check current app version

On Android, open the Family Safety app, open the main menu, and scroll to the bottom to see the version. On iOS, open the app and check the version at the bottom of the navigation pane.

Open the App Store or Google Play

Navigate to the Apple App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android) on your mobile device.

Update the application

Search for 'Microsoft Family Safety' and tap the 'Update' button if a new version is available. Once updated, restart the app and check if the approval options have returned.

Tip: Turning on automatic updates for the Microsoft Family Safety app will help prevent this issue from happening again in the future.

Solution 2

Verify the Child's Microsoft Account

If a family member's account has expired or requires security verification, parent controls may temporarily become restricted.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the screen time approval option suddenly disappear?

This commonly happens when the Microsoft Family Safety app is outdated, or if a recent security policy update requires you to re-verify your or your child's Microsoft account.

Do I need to verify my child's account on every device?

No, account verification is tied to the Microsoft account itself. Verifying the account once through aka.ms/familyverify should resolve permission issues across all connected devices.

Can I approve screen time requests without using the mobile app?

Yes. If the mobile app is malfunctioning, you can log into your Microsoft Family Safety account via a web browser to view, manage, and approve screen time extension requests.

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