Oliver Haslam·

iOS 13.3’s New Communication Limits Feature Can Be Bypassed

Apple recently released iOS 13.3 to the public along with a new Communication Limits feature. Part of Screen Time, that feature is supposed to give parents more control over how their children use things like Messages. But it doesn’t quite work properly.

However, as CNBC notes, the communications limit prevents communication with a person that is not in the child’s iCloud contacts. So, if an unknown person tries to contact them, it will be blocked.

However, things don’t work as they should if iCloud isn’t being used.  When using the feature in its current form, the child is given the option of of adding the number to a contact, allowing the calls or messages through.

What should happen is similar, but with a passcode preventing the child from adding anyone they want. CNBC also found that Siri can be used to get around the limits, too.

Apple says that it knows about that bug but claims that it only happens in a “non-standard configuration,” which doesn’t seem quite right to us.

“This issue only occurs on devices set up with a non-standard configuration, and a workaround is available. We’re working on a complete fix and will release it in an upcoming software update.”

That workaround is to make sure iCloud is being used, although that isn’t ideal if your family runs on Google rather than iCloud. Thankfully, Apple says that its fix is in the works. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before it arrives.

(Source: CNBC)

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