Create an Apple Account for your child
Instead of sharing an account with your child, which can give them unwanted access to your personal data, create an Apple Account 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 Account for your child
Children under 13 can’t create an Apple Account on their own1. But if you’re the Family Sharing organiser or a Family Sharing parent or guardian, you can create an Apple Account for your child.
To verify that you’re an adult, you may need a credit card. On your iPhone, you can also verify with an ID card added to Wallet where available.
On your iPhone or iPad
Go to Settings > Family.
Tap
.Tap Create Child Account, then tap Continue.
Enter the child’s name and date of birth. Make sure that you enter the correct date of birth.
Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up the account. For your child’s Apple Account, you can use their email address, the suggested @icloud.com address or their Game Center nickname.
On your Mac
Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Family.
Click Add Member.
Click Create Child Account.
Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up the account. For your child’s Apple Account, you can use their email address or their Game Center nickname. Make sure that you enter the correct date of birth.
If you need to connect your child’s device to your family group
If you set up a new iPhone or iPad and choose a child or teen age range, you can choose to connect that account to a Family Sharing group later.
Reset a child’s Apple Account password
If you are the Family Sharing organiser or a Family Sharing parent or guardian, you can help reset a child account’s Apple Account password using your iPhone.
Find out how to reset your child’s Apple Account password
About settings and features for children under the age of 13
Some Apple Account settings and features work differently for children under 13. For example, a child under 13 can’t create an Apple Account without permission and consent from a parent or guardian. Learn about updating the date of birth on a child account.
The minimum age for account creation may vary across countries and regions:
Under 14 in Austria, Bulgaria, China mainland, Cyprus, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, South Korea and Spain.
Under 15 in Czechia, France, Greece, Peru and Slovenia.
Under 16 in Brazil, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore and Slovakia.
Under 13 in all other countries and regions.
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