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brandoncampbell's avatar
May 01, 2024

Re: Overnight device activity consuming allowed time

Same issue. I noticed there is an option to put sites in Site Manager and set to unlimited. Unfortunately, if they are IP addresses you cannot. I have an Apple IP address (17.57.144.39) that keeps pinging from the iPad and apparently absorbing the time. Guess there isn't a way to resolve this as it seems like it is a cat and mouse game. Anyone resolve the problem?

17 Replies

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  • I'm sure they could think of something.. otherwise, whats the point of have this paid solution?

    • StephenB's avatar
      StephenB
      Guru - Experienced User
      brandoncampbell wrote:

      I'm sure they could think of something.. otherwise, whats the point of have this paid solution?

      I think it's more useful for laptops (including chromebooks) and gaming devices.

       

      I don't see much benefit for iOS devices, since the build-in screen controls are pretty good.

  • Never did hear back from them on if this was fix. It appears the long-standing issue with Smart Parental Controls remains unresolved. Two years after canceling for this exact reason, I was enticed back by a discount, only to find the same flaw: background activity is being counted as active "Time Limit" usage. For example, I set a 1-hour daily limit for my daughter’s devices. Even when the devices are asleep or she is away at school, background processes (updates, "phoning home") exhaust the entire time limit within an hour. I regret paying for a service that is currently unusable. Is there a fix for this, or can I request a refund?

    • StephenB's avatar
      StephenB
      Guru - Experienced User
      brandoncampbell wrote:

      Never did hear back from them on if this was fix. It appears the long-standing issue with Smart Parental Controls remains unresolved. Two years after canceling for this exact reason, I was enticed back by a discount, only to find the same flaw: background activity is being counted as active "Time Limit" usage.

      Hard to see how Netgear could sort out background activity from other usage.

       

      Have you looked into the screen time management controls in the devices?  Not sure on Android, but iOS does have controls to schedule downtime and also manage communications during downtimes.  You could use these as well as the parental controls.

      • WSJevons's avatar
        WSJevons
        Tutor

        They sort background activity for every other ip. It is specific this one for Apple.

         

        For some reason it isn’t able to be converted to unlimited access like other IP and apps. 

        iOS and NG Parental have to match perfectly. Practically, you have to use one or the other. 

        I’ve chosen iOS. 

    • FURRYe38's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru - Experienced User

      Something to contact NG support about.

  • I have the same problem. It is very frustrating. Completely negates time controls.
  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User

    Disconnect the iPad from WiFi or put it in Airplane mode? 

    Something to contact Apple or the Mfr of that Site Manager app. 


    Good Luck.