It’s 9 a.m., math just started, and your kid’s wrist buzzes with a new game alert. Cue the teacher’s glare. If you’re a parent, you’ve probably already heard about school policies around devices: distractions during lessons, worries about sneaky photos, or too much screen time. At the same time, you want your child to stay safe and reachable. That’s where school mode on a kids smartwatch comes in. Think of it as the best of both worlds: your kid focuses on class, while you still get peace of mind knowing that emergency calling and location tracking remain active. Finding the right smartwatch for your child and setting up school mode will make mornings, and days, easier.
What exactly is school-mode?
School-mode is a setting on many kids smartwatches that blocks games, social apps, and distracting notifications during class hours, while still keeping essential safety features like SOS calling and GPS location live. It’s different from simply muting or turning on “Do Not Disturb” because it’s parent-locked and schedule-based. This means your child can’t just switch it off in the middle of math.
And schools are paying attention: recent surveys suggest that more than half of Canadian schools restrict smartwatch use unless they’re muted or in a designated learning mode. That’s why having schooltime mode pre-set makes your child’s smartwatch school-friendly.
For more context, check out this guide on how to choose a kids smartwatch.
Do all smartwatches have school-mode?
Not quite. Here’s the quick breakdown:
- Kids models (like Apple Watch with Family Setup, Xplora, Spacetalk, Garmin Bounce) → Yes. They include a built-in kids smartwatch school mode that’s parental-locked.
- Adult smartwatches (Apple Watch without Family Setup, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch) → No schooltime mode, but you can replicate it using Focus schedules or custom modes.
- Fitness trackers/bands (Fitbit, Amazfit) → Usually only offer manual Do Not Disturb.
Pro tip: Always double-check in the watch’s app settings before you purchase, since schooltime features can vary by model.
If your watch has built-in school-mode
Activating school mode smartwatch settings is usually quick and takes less than a minute. While the exact app interface varies by brand, the steps look something like this:
- Open the parent app linked to your child’s smartwatch.
- Look for “School Mode” or “Class Time” in the settings. Icons often look like a mortarboard (graduation cap), padlock, or crescent moon.
- Tap to enable.
- Set the schedule (e.g., 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. weekdays).
- Choose restrictions. Most models block games, disable messaging, and mute notifications by default.
- Save your changes.
- Hand the watch back to your child.
- Test it: try launching a game at 10 a.m.; you should see “Restricted by School-Mode.”
On most devices, you’ll also notice a small school hat icon on the watch face so your child knows it’s active.
Note: NFC payments like Apple Pay are automatically disabled in Apple’s Schooltime mode for added peace of mind.
If your watch doesn’t have school-mode
If the smartwatch you have doesn’t include a school mode, or if you have gotten a fitness band for your child instead, no worries! You can create a DIY version with built-in Focus or DND tools. Here’s how:
- Apple Watch (without Family Setup):
Go to Settings › Focus › Schooltime. Set a recurring schedule for weekdays and lock changes with your Screen Time passcode. - Wear OS watches (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, etc.):
Open Settings › Modes & Routines › Add routine. Set triggers for weekday mornings to mute notifications and block apps. - Fitbit/Amazfit bands:
Swipe down and toggle Do Not Disturb. Some firmware allows you to set a timed DND window.
Tip: Rename the routine “Class hours” so your child instantly recognizes when it’s meant to be on.
At-a-glance: school-mode features by model
| Model | Built-in school-mode | SOS active? | Payment disabled? | Parental lock? | App to manage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch (Family Setup) | Yes | Yes | Yes (Apple Pay off) | Yes | Watch app + Screen Time |
| Xplora X6 Play | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes | Xplora app |
| Spacetalk Adventurer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Spacetalk app |
| Garmin Bounce | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes | Garmin Jr. app |
| Any Wear OS watch | DIY Focus mode | Yes | Optional | Limited | Google Home app |
| Fitbit/Amazfit | Manual DND only | Limited | N/A | No | Fitbit/Amazfit app |
Pro tips for parents
- Battery boost: Schooltime mode can stretch battery life by 5–10% since it silences background activity.
- Revisit each term: Update the schedule whenever your child’s class timings change.
- Homework focus: Create a second “Homework Mode” in the evenings for distraction-free study time.
- Durability counts: Kids aren’t always careful, so add a smartwatch screen protector for peace of mind.
- Upgrade from an old tracker? Trade it in for credit with the Best Buy smartwatch trade-in program.
FAQs about school mode on smartwatch
Will alarms still ring in school-mode?
Yes. Most kids watches keep vibration timers or alarms active since they’re considered study aids. Apple honours existing alarms, while Garmin, Xplora, and Spacetalk allow silent reminders.
Does schooltime mode save battery?
Definitely. Silencing notifications and dimming screens can extend battery life by 5–10%. On simpler kids models, that might mean a whole extra day between charges.
Can my child bypass the lock?
Not on kids models. Apple requires your Screen Time passcode, and Garmin, Xplora, and Spacetalk only allow changes from the guardian app. For DIY Focus modes, make sure you also set a device passcode.
What about the camera?
Schooltime mode disables the camera shortcut on most kids models. For DIY setups, add the camera app to your blocked list.
Is school-mode the same as airplane mode?
No. Airplane mode shuts off all radios, including GPS and SOS calls. Schooltime mode mutes distractions but keeps your child safe and reachable.
Can my kid swim with school-mode on?
Yes, if the watch itself is waterproof. Check out the best waterproof smartwatch options for models that can handle pool days.
Final takeaway: smarter school days ahead
Whether your child’s watch has a one-tap kids smartwatch school mode or you create a DIY version, the outcome is the same: fewer classroom distractions and more peace of mind for you.
Need a watch first? Check out the best smartwatches for students, and read more to understand the best choice for school between a smartwatch or fitness band. If you decide a kids smartwatch is the way to go, you can shop kids smartwatches at Best Buy.
