Hello,
we have been using the new Screen Time APIs for a long time. While the API is simple to work with, we have persistent issues with the FamilyActivityPicker component. I have filled many feedbacks but have yet to notice any changes/fixes in the point releases.
One issue we see frequently is that expanding categories does not work. Instead, the picker shows just a single row, and you need to scroll up or down to “refresh” it and make it expand correctly.
Another problem is that some apps are “hidden” in the “Other” category, and our users have trouble discovering them. I have been part of a few user interviews we did recently, and basically, every user had some issue with the FamilyActivityPicker.
For one user, it just disappeared, and they needed to re-open the app screen, which contains the picker, to fix it. Sometimes the picker shows apps that have already been uninstalled from the device.
The system picker from Screen Time works much better. For one, websites have dedicated category, which makes it much easier to navigate. I have seen instances where you would open the “Productivity” category and see like 50 websites - making it super hard to find apps.
The system picker also allows users to manually enter a website that FamilyActivityPicker does not provide.
Also, the system picker offers a search bar which is not possible with FamilyActivityPicker. Some users get frustrated with finding the specific apps in the picker if they have many apps installed.
Since FamilyActivityPicker is critical to user experience in our app, we would appreciate it if the FamilyActivityPicker would be on par with the Screen Time built-in picker.
Thanks 🙏
