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Question

Can I, as a jamf parent user, disable specific apps without time limit?

  • September 14, 2026
  • 0 replies
  • 16 views
jph

Hi Jamf Community,

I’m reaching out as a frustrated parent dealing with managed iPads at my son's school, trying to permanently block specific apps like Instagram and Snapchat via Jamf Parent.

Unfortunately, I've run into a wall with several limitations and confusing UX choices in the current implementation:

  1. Incorrect App Store Categorization: Blocking the "Social Media" category in Jamf Parent does not affect Snapchat or Instagram, as Apple/developers categorize them under "Photo & Video" or "Entertainment". However, Jamf Parent doesn't offer a dedicated "Photo & Video" category filter to toggle off, nor does it allow parents to manually recategorize or target individual apps for permanent restriction.

  2. No Permanent Single-App Blocking: In Jamf Parent, restricting individual apps seems strictly tied to a timer mechanism.

  3. UX / Translation Issues ("Clear after..."): The option labeled "Clear after [X] hours" is extremely misleading. In the German localized version, it translates to "Löschen nach...", leading parents to believe the app will be deleted after the timer runs out. Instead, it clears the restriction rule, effectively unlocking the app again.

  4. MDM Re-installation Loop: Manually deleting these apps directly from the iPad screen doesn't work either. The school's Jamf MDM server automatically detects the missing apps and pushes a fresh installation back onto the device shortly after.

Since Apple's native iOS Screen Time is disabled by the school's MDM profile, parents are left with zero native or Jamf-provided tools to permanently ban specific problematic apps on their child's school device.

My questions to the community and Jamf admins:

  • Is there any way for parents to permanently block a specific app via Jamf Parent without relying on temporary timers or broad/missing category locks?

  • For school admins: What is the recommended workflow when parents request a permanent ban of non-educational apps (like Snapchat) for their child's device? Do you handle this via custom Jamf Pro/School restriction profiles, or is Jamf Parent planning any updates to support permanent app-level controls?

Thanks for any insights!

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