Create an Apple ID for your child

Instead of sharing an account with your child, which can give them unwanted access to your personal data, create an Apple ID for them. Then you can easily set age-based parental controls, and they can use Family Sharing, Messages, the App Store, and other Apple services. 

How to create an Apple ID for your child

Children under the age of 13 can't create an Apple ID on their own. (This age varies by region.) But if you're the family organiser or a guardian, you can create an Apple ID for your child.

On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

To verify that you're an adult, you need a credit card.

In iOS 16 or later

  1. Go to Settings > Family. 
  2. Tap the Add Member button .
    The Add Member button is in the upper right-hand corner of your screen.
  3. Tap Create Child Account, then tap Continue.
    Create Child Account is just below Invite Others.
  4. Enter the child's name and date of birth. Make sure you enter the correct date of birth — you can't change it later.
  5. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up the account. For your child's Apple ID, you can use their email address, the suggested @icloud.com address or their Game Centre nickname. 

In iOS 15 or earlier

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap your name, then tap Family Sharing. 
  3. Tap Add Member.
  4. Tap Create an Account for a Child, then tap Continue.
  5. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up the account. You can use the child's email address for their Apple ID, or their Game Centre nickname. Make sure you enter the correct date of birth — you can't change it later.

On your Mac

To verify that you're an adult, you need a credit card.

In macOS Ventura or later

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Family. 
  2. Click Add Member.
    The Add Member button is just below the list of people in your family group.
  3. Click Create Child Account.
    The Create Child Account button is on the left, alongside the Not Now and Invite People buttons.
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up the account. Make sure you enter the correct date of birth — you can't change it later. For your child's Apple ID, you can use their email address or their Game Centre nickname. 

In macOS Monterey or earlier

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Family Sharing.
  2. Click the Add button .
  3. Click Create Child Account.
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up the account. You can use the child's email address for their Apple ID, or their Game Centre nickname. Make sure you enter the correct date of birth — you can't change it later.

Reset a child's Apple ID password

If you are the family organiser or guardian, you can help reset your child's Apple ID password using your iPhone with iOS 16 or later or iPad with iPadOS 16 or later and two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID.

Find out how to reset your child's Apple ID password

About settings and features for kids under 13

Some Apple ID settings and features work differently for children under the age of 13. For example, a child under the age of 13 can't create an Apple ID without permission and consent from a parent or guardian. The minimum age for account creation may vary across countries and regions as follows: under 14 in Austria, Bulgaria, China mainland, Cyprus, Italy, Lithuania and Spain. Under 15 in Czech Republic, France and Greece. Under 16 in Brazil, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia and Slovenia. Under 13 in all other countries and regions.

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