Podcast: Play in new window | Embed
Dan asked: “What kind of apps can you install on an iPhone that would limit a teenager driver from using the phone while driving?”
Dan, you don’t have too many options. Within the Apple ecosystem, an app cannot block another one from doing something, and it cannot interfere with system-level options like ringing when a phone call comes in.
The new iOS 11 came with a “DND while driving” feature, but it has to be turned on by the user, it is not mandatory. The feature also allows the user to access their phone if they insist after being warned that they’re on do not disturb mode because they’re driving.
The new iOS 11 came with a “DND while driving” feature
The only solution we’ve seen that may actually work is the Cellcontrol. It pairs the phone to a device that will lock the screen if someone unlocks it or tries to use the phone while driving.
The company compares it to an external keyboard, and like most external keyboards for iPhone it uses bluetooth. That does mean that it can be bypassed simply by turning off bluetooth on the phone, but if your teenager did that you’d get a message warning you that they’re not being tracked because the device could not connect to their phone.
It’s not ideal, but it’s the only semi-realistic solution we’ve found so far to fully block a phone from being used while driving, even if the driver wants to use the phone. There are plenty of solutions that assume the driver wants to cooperate, but since that’s not likely to be the case, the Cellcontrol may be worth a shot in your situation.