Create an Apple Account for your child

Creating an Apple Account for your child helps make sure that they can use their device and Apple services safely with age-appropriate settings in place. It allows you to easily set age-based parental controls.

How to create an Apple Account for your child

Parents or guardians have to create an Apple Account for children under 13 (age requirements vary by country or region). Creating a Child Account allows you to manage your child’s Screen Time and parental controls.

If you haven’t yet, first set up Family Sharing. If you’re the Family Sharing organizer or a Family Sharing parent or guardian, you can create an Apple Account for your child with age-appropriate settings in place.

On your iPhone or iPad

  1. If you haven’t yet, set up Family Sharing.

  2. On the Family Sharing organizer’s device, go to Settings, then tap Family.

  3. Tap the Add Member buttonNo alt supplied for Image.

    iPhone Settings showing Family settings, with the Add Member button highlighted.
  4. Tap Create Child Account, then tap Continue.

    iPhone showing a Family Sharing invitation, including the option to Create Child Account.
  5. Enter the child’s name and birthday. Be sure to enter the correct birthday.

  6. You might be asked to confirm that you’re an adult.

  7. For your child’s Apple Account, you can use the suggested @icloud.com address. You can also tap “Already have an email address for [child’s name]?” to use their existing email.

  8. Create a strong Apple Account password that your child can remember.

  9. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up the account. If you need help, learn more about the parental controls and options you can set up.

On your Mac

  1. If you haven’t yet, set up Family Sharing.

  2. On the Family Sharing organizer’s device, go to the Apple menu , click System Settings, then click Family.

  3. Click Add Member.

    Mac System Settings showing Family settings, including the button to Add Member.
  4. Click Create Child Account.

    Mac System Settings showing Family Sharing invitation, and the Create Child Account button.
  5. Enter the child’s name and birthday. Be sure to enter the correct birthday.

  6. You might be asked to confirm that you’re an adult.

  7. For your child’s Apple Account, you can use the suggested @icloud.com address. You can also click “Already have an email address for [child’s name]?” to use their existing email.

  8. Create a strong Apple Account password that your child can remember.

  9. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up the account. If you need help, learn more about the parental controls and options you can set up.

Get help finishing set up for an Apple Account for your child

Settings for kids by country and region

Some Apple Account settings and features have varying requirements for children and teens. Age requirements can vary by country or region.

Learn more about region-specific rules for managing an Apple Account

Need more help?

Tell us more about what’s happening, and we’ll suggest what you can do next.

Get suggestions

Published Date: