Feature guide

Lock, unlock and extra time

The Lock / Unlock card has five actions — Lock, Unlock, Reset to default, Add more time and the emergency password. This guide explains what each one does and how long it stays in effect.

On the device dashboard, in the “Lock / Unlock” card

Read this first

The one thing to understand

Lock and Unlock here are emergency overrides. While one is active it beats your schedule and the daily time limit — the PC ignores the normal rules and stays locked (or stays open) until you clear it with Reset to default. A coloured banner shows while an override is on:

Emergency Locked

Reset to default

Emergency Unlocked

Reset to default

Button by button

What each button does

Lock screen

Emergency

What it does: Locks the PC now and keeps it locked — this beats the schedule and the daily time limit.
How long: Until you undo it. It does not unlock by itself — not even at midnight.
How to undo: Tap Reset to default (or Unlock).

Unlock

Emergency

What it does: Unlocks the PC now and keeps it usable — even outside allowed hours or after the time limit runs out.
How long: Until you undo it, or it clears on its own at midnight.
How to undo: Tap Reset to default (or wait for midnight).

Reset to default

Back to normal

What it does: Cancels an emergency Lock or Unlock and puts the PC back to following your normal schedule and time limit.
When you see it: It only appears while the PC is in an emergency Lock/Unlock state. This is the “undo”.

Add more time

Temporary

What it does: Grants extra minutes now — the PC unlocks and today's allowance is extended. Pick +15 / +30 or a custom amount. (Or tap Approve when your child requests more time.)
How long: Temporary. When the added minutes run out, the PC locks again on its own.
Note: It does not put the PC in emergency mode — no banner, and it stays inside your rules.

When to use which

“Unlock” vs “Add more time”

Unlock (emergency)

Indefinite. Overrides the schedule and time limit until you Reset (or midnight). Use it when you want the PC freely usable right now, no limits.

Add more time

Time-boxed. Adds a set number of minutes, then the PC re-locks itself. Use it to give a little extra while keeping the rules.

At the PC

Emergency password

What it's for

A code your child can type on the locked PC to unlock it themselves — for moments your phone isn't reachable (e.g. the PC is offline). In the app it's read-only: tap the eye to reveal it for a few seconds.

Not the Parent password

Different from the Parent password (which opens Parent Mode on the PC and can be changed). The emergency password can't be changed from the app.

The emergency password is meant for schedule / time-limit locks. It won't clear an Emergency Lock you set from the app — for that, use Reset to default.

Q & A

Frequently asked

The PC won't unlock even though it's within allowed hours?+

It's probably in Emergency Lock (red banner). Tap Reset to default — or Unlock — on the Lock / Unlock card.

I unlocked it, but it locked again later?+

Emergency Unlock clears at midnight, so the next day the normal schedule applies again. Add more time is temporary too. For a lasting change, adjust the schedule or time limit.

Do these ask for a password or confirmation?+

Lock, Unlock and Reset each show a quick confirm dialog. Add more time (+15 / +30) applies right away. None re-ask for your parent password — you're already signed in.