Set up parental controls with Family Sharing on iPhone
With Family Sharing, the organizer can set up parental controls for children in the Family Sharing group. You can use Screen Time to manage how your children use their Apple devices. You can also turn on Ask to Buy, so children must receive approval for purchases or free downloads.
Learn about types of Family Sharing members.
Customize parental controls during setup
When you add a child to your Family Sharing group or set up a device for a child, you can customize parental controls from the start. You can change those settings at any time.
Follow the onscreen instructions during setup to add any of the following:
Age-related restrictions for content in apps, books, TV shows, and movies
Downtime and limits for specific apps
Restrictions for who your child can communicate with
Approvals for purchases or free downloads
See the Apple Support article Use parental controls on your child’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Set up Screen Time for a child later
Screen Time allows you to manage settings for downtime, app use, contacts, content ratings, and more. To use Screen Time, your child must be using an eligible device. See the Screen Time section in the Apple Support article System Requirements for iCloud.
Go to Settings
> [your name] > Family Sharing > Screen Time.
Tap the child you want to set up Screen Time for.
Tap Screen Time, then follow the onscreen instructions.
For information about Screen Time settings, see Set up Screen Time for a family member on iPhone.
To learn more about the different content & privacy restrictions, see the Apple Support article Use parental controls on your child’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
If your child requests more screen time, you can approve or decline the request in Settings > Screen Time or in Messages
.
Turn on Ask to Buy for a child later
When you set up Ask to Buy, a child’s purchases must be approved by the family organizer or a parent or guardian in the family group.
Go to Settings
> [your name] > Family Sharing.
Tap the child you want to set up Ask to Buy for.
Tap Ask To Buy, then follow the onscreen instructions.
See the Apple Support article Approve what kids buy with Ask to Buy.
Note: Age restrictions for Ask to Buy vary by region. In the United States, the family organizer can turn on Ask to Buy for any family member under age 18; for children under age 13, it’s on by default.
You can also set up an Apple Cash Family account for a child. See Use Apple Cash and Apple Card with Family Sharing on iPhone (U.S. only).