TimeOne screen time budget for all of your child's devices
TimeProtect is screen time limits for families. You decide how long your child can play and watch each day, and the time adds up across phone, tablet and computer.
- Free
- No ads
- Open source
- Server in the EU
Beta · Android 8+ and Linux · for now the parent panel, e-mails and the Linux client are in Polish only
Who it is for
For parents who want one simple rule instead of separate limits on every device. One hour a day means one hour, whether your child plays on the tablet or watches videos on the computer.
How it works
Create a family
Install the TimeProtect app on your Android phone and choose “Create family”. The other parent joins the same family.
Add your child's devices
In the app or the parent panel choose ➕ Add device. On the child's device open the invite link or enter the device code: a few short words (for now Polish ones, e.g. “abazur adres”).
Set the limits
Screen time per day, categories (games, videos, learning) and allowed hours. Change them in the app or in the parent panel in your browser.
What it looks like
Illustrations in the app's colours, with sample data. When time runs out, your child sees a calm “done for today”, not an error message.
What makes TimeProtect different
One shared budget
One screen time budget for all of your child's devices, plus category limits and allowed hours.
Open source
The app and the server are free software (GPL and AGPL). Read the code or run your own server.
Server in the EU
Your family's data is on a server in the European Union (OVH, France).
No ads, no telemetry
No ads and no analytics. We do not sell data and do not build profiles of children.
Works on Linux too
A Linux computer counts time together with the phone and tablet, with an overlay showing the time left.
Parent panel in the browser
Add time, block and check your devices from any computer or phone.
Family vault
Shared family passwords in a KeePass file. The server keeps only the encrypted file and does not know the password.
Which devices it works on
Honestly: not everywhere. Here is where things stand today.
Android
worksPhones and tablets with Android 8 or newer, one app for parent and child. APK file from the “Add device” page (not from the Play Store).
Linux
worksComputers with an X11 session and the apt package manager: Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Debian. Wayland sessions and other distributions not yet.
Browsers
with the Linux clientThe extension for Firefox, Chrome and Brave counts and blocks websites, but only on a Linux computer with TimeProtect. It does not work on its own.
Windows
betaWindows 10 and 11 (64-bit), installer from the “Add device” page. Beta: the installer is not signed yet, so Windows warns on first launch.
iPhone, iPad, Mac
not supportedTimeProtect does not run on Apple devices. Use the built-in Screen Time (Family Sharing).
Free. If it helps, support it
TimeProtect is free and has no ads. Running the server costs money, so if it helps your family, buy us a coffee.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child get around the limit?
No lock is unbreakable, but TimeProtect makes it hard. On Android the app is a device administrator (it cannot be uninstalled without turning that off first), and turning off permissions or the administrator shows up as a warning for the parent. On Linux the service runs as administrator, so a child without sudo cannot stop it.
What if the device is offline?
Limits keep working with the last known state and time is counted on the device. When the connection is back, the device sends the time used and picks up the parent's changes.
I lost my phone or forgot the parent password. What now?
Limits on your child's devices keep working, and you can change settings in the parent panel. Reset the password in the TimeProtect app: choose “Forgot password” when signing in (the reset comes by e-mail if the parent account has an e-mail address). On a new phone install the app and join the family as a parent.
Is it stable? Which Android do I need?
No, TimeProtect is in beta (in testing): we use it every day in our own family, but it may have bugs. It may fail to block or block too much, lose settings, and an update may require reinstalling. It is not a child safety tool and does not replace a parent's care. Details: terms of service. You need Android 8 or newer, and on a computer Linux with X11 (Mint, Ubuntu, Debian) or Windows 10 or 11.
What happens to my children's data?
We collect only what the limits need: the parent's account, children's names as entered by the parent, devices, settings and time counters. Children do not create accounts. No ads or analytics, server in the EU. Details: privacy policy.
How is TimeProtect different from Family Link?
Family Link is a Google service: it needs a Google account for the child and works on Android and Chromebooks. TimeProtect needs no Google account, counts one shared budget across phone, tablet and Linux computer, is open source and runs on a server in the EU. Family Link has more features beyond time limits, such as Play Store approvals or location.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. No ads, no premium version. If you want to help pay for the server, you can buy us a coffee on Ko-fi.
Can I run my own server?
Yes. The server is free software (AGPL), and the app and the Linux client let you enter its address. On your own server you are responsible for the data.