Your kids see how much time is left, and you change it from your phone
Five More Minutes is a game timer for the family. Give time from your phone, your child sees the countdown in the game, and when time is up the screen is covered or the internet is cut — just as you agreed. We are putting the finishing touches on it.
Questions already? Write to us. [email protected]
What is Five More Minutes?
Five More Minutes helps families agree on game time and then keep to it. The parent gives time from a phone, the child sees a countdown in the corner of the game, and when time is up the screen is covered, the internet is cut, or both. It lifts by itself after a while, or when the parent says so.
It is made for the evenings when one more round turns into an argument: your child can ask for five more minutes with one button, and you answer yes, half or no. It works on Windows 10 and 11 and on Macs with macOS 12 or later, in Swedish and English.
Give time
Choose the computer, how long, and what happens afterwards. Straight from the app or from the notification on your lock screen.
Your child sees the time
The countdown shows in the corner of the game and gets clearer towards the end. No surprise when time runs out.
Time is up
The internet is cut, the screen is covered, or both. It all lifts by itself after a while — or when you say so.
Built for how evenings actually look
Five more minutes is often the right answer. The app makes it easy to say yes, and just as easy to say no.
Requests
Your child can ask for more time with one button. You answer yes, half or no.
Schedule & daily limit
Different limits for weekdays and weekends, and a time after which nothing new starts.
Several children, several computers
All timers on one screen. Each computer has its own state.
Parent code
Changes need a code, so the app can be left lying around.
Guides for parents
Practical advice on screen time, game time and parental controls — whichever tool you use.
How to set screen time limits on your child’s PC
How to set screen time limits on a child’s Windows PC or Mac: built-in tools, router rules and timers, and how to end sessions without arguments.
Read the guide →How to end game time without the fight: 7 tips for parents
Seven practical ways to end gaming sessions without arguments: agree the rules in advance, show the time, warn early and handle “five more minutes”.
Read the guide →How much screen time is OK for kids? A practical guide
What health organisations say about children’s screen time, why what and when matters as much as how long, and how to set a sensible limit for your family.
Read the guide →Choosing a screen time app for your child’s PC: 8 things to check
A checklist for choosing parental-control and screen time software for a child’s PC: warnings, remote control, requests, bypass resistance, privacy and more.
Read the guide →The benefits of limited gaming time and less time behind screens
Why limits on gaming and screen time help children: better sleep, more movement, calmer evenings and more time together. What research says, and does not say.
Read the guide →Questions and answers
What is Five More Minutes?
A game timer for the family. You give your child time from your phone, your child sees a countdown in the corner of the game, and when time is up the screen is covered, the internet is cut, or both. It is built to end game time without an argument.
Which computers does it work on?
Windows 10 or 11, and Macs with macOS 12 or later. Installing asks for an administrator’s password, so it has to be done from a parent’s account.
How does my child see how much time is left?
A countdown sits in the corner of the game and gets clearer towards the end, with a reminder when five minutes remain. There are no surprises when time runs out.
What happens when time is up?
The screen is covered, the internet is cut, or both, as you choose for each computer. It lifts by itself after a while, or when you say so. Cutting the internet needs a router that can do it; until then the screen is covered.
Can my child ask for more time?
Yes. They can ask from the countdown, you get a notification, and you can give all of it, half of it, or say no. You can turn requests on or off for each child.
Can I set a daily limit or a schedule?
Yes. Set one daily limit for weekdays and one for weekends, and a time after which no timer can be started or extended. You can always give more than the limit on purpose.
What does the program on my child’s computer store about me?
Nothing about your account. It stores only a key it created itself, which you can revoke from your account at any time.
Can I connect my smart home?
Yes, through plugins. Each plugin gets its own key that opens one computer, and you choose what it may do. Browse the marketplace, or build your own plugin with the open API.
Build a plugin
Connect your smart home or network to Five More Minutes. The API is open, the starter projects are free, and listing a plugin is a pull request.