Family Timer

The Family Timer, part of Xbox 360 Family Settings, lets you manage your family's console use on a daily or weekly basis.

For example, you can set the console to allow 2 hours of play per day. After those 2 hours of play, the console can't be used again within that 24-hour period, unless you grant additional time. A daily timer resets at midnight, and a weekly timer resets Sunday at midnight.

If you're the console administrator, you can override Family Timer settings if you (or those with whom you share the console) want to continue playing games or watching DVD movies after the set time limit is reached. Add more time or suspend the timer altogether until the next time the console is shut down.

Here you can learn how to use the Family Timer:

• Set the Family Timer
• Manage the Family Timer During a Console Session

Set the Family Timer

The first time any Xbox 360 Console Family Settings feature is set whether it is the Family Timer feature or any other the console administrator is required to set a four-button pass code. If a pass code has already been set, the system will ask for it before you can edit Family Settings.

Remember, console settings apply to everyone who uses your Xbox 360 console. You can't have different settings for different players.

To set the Family Timer

1. From the System area of the Xbox Dashboard, select Family Settings, Console Controls. Enter your pass code, if one is set.
2. From the Console Controls screen, select Family Timer.
3. Select a period for the time limit Daily or Weekly.
   • The Daily option allows you to set limits on console use per day in 15-minute increments.
   • The Weekly option lets you set limits on console use per week in 1-hour increments.
   
   
   To turn off the Family Timer, select Off.
4. Move the left stick to increase or decrease the time limit for the selected time period.
5. Select Continue on your controller to return to Console Controls.
6. Select Done. You will be prompted to set a pass code if you don't have one.
7. Select Save Changes.

Manage the Family Timer During a Console Session

To see the status of the Family Timer while the console is being used, press the Xbox Guide button. A real-time countdown appears in the upper right corner of the Guide.

During gameplay or while watching a DVD, notifications will appear 1 hour, 30 minutes, 15 minutes, and 5 minutes before the time runs out. This gives players sufficient warning so they can save their games.

To override the Family Timer settings, use your pass code. You can add time in increments of 5 minutes and then 15 minutes.

You also can suspend the timer to continue console play until you're done. If you suspend the timer, you will have to shut down the console manually to reset the timer. It resets when you start the console again.

To add time or suspend the timer

Anytime a Family Timer notification appears on the screen, press the Xbox Guide button (the center round button on your controller) to bring up the Guide with Family Timer options. Enter your pass code.To extend play time, select Add More Time. To turn off Family Timer restrictions, select Suspend Timer. The timer will reset next time you start your console.To turn off the console immediately, select Shut Down Console.