Explore parental controls on your kid’s device
Your child’s Apple devices come with parental controls* that help you decide when they use them, what they can see and download, and who they can communicate with through supported apps and services. You can set up and manage parental controls from your own iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Your supported parental control settings sync automatically to all your child’s devices, depending on the feature availability on each device.
Note: Before you begin, your child needs their own Child Account in your Family Sharing group so you can manage their device settings from your own device. Some parental controls are turned on by default, based on your child’s age. If you’re setting up an iPhone or iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch for your child or setting up parental controls for the first time, you’ll be walked through the setup process.
Choose when they use their device
Schedules let you set when apps are available, and Time Allowances let you set how long your child can use them. You can set allowances for categories like Entertainment, Games, and Social Media. Age-based guidance from child development experts helps you decide. Apps and contacts you always allow stay available at all times.
Choose what they can access
You can start your child off with a focused set of apps and websites, then add more as they’re ready. With Ask to Buy and Ask to Browse, your child asks before buying or downloading anything new or before visiting a new website in Safari. Either request comes to you in Messages, where you can review it before approving. You can also set age-based restrictions for movies, music, books, and more in Apple Media Services.
Block or allow access to apps and websites on your child’s device
Choose age-appropriate content for movies, music, and more on your child’s device
Choose who they can communicate with on supported apps
Decide who your child can call, message, and FaceTime with, and have them ask before connecting with anyone new. Communication Safety blurs detected nudity or gore in shared photos and videos before your child views or sends them, and points them to ways to get help.
Choose who your child can communicate with on their device
Check for sensitive images and videos on your child’s device
Check in on their activity and make adjustments
See a weekly summary of how your child is using their device and which apps they use most. If your family’s needs change you can quickly pause device use, allow unlimited device use, or adjust their schedule.
Even more parental controls
Block features and changes Choose which built-in features your child can use, like Siri and Apple Intelligence or AirDrop, and keep them from changing settings such as their account details. Block or allow access and changes to features and apps on your kid’s device | Set up a Screen Time passcode Set a passcode that keeps your child from changing their parental controls, and reset it if you forget it. Set, change, and manage a Screen Time passcode on your child’s device |
Set up Apple Cash and Apple Card Family Send your child money with Apple Cash and set spending limits as they learn to manage it. Add older children to your Apple Card, then check their balance and recent charges. Set up Apple Cash Family and Apple Card Family for your child | Share your child’s age range with apps Share your child’s age ranges with participating third-party apps to help them get age-appropriate experiences. |
Set up Schooltime on an Apple Watch Limit what your child can do on their Apple Watch during school or other times you choose to help them stay focused. You can also Change your child’s Apple Watch settings. | Check your kid’s Apple Watch health reports With your child’s permission, see their health activity like hearing, time in daylight, and heart rate. You can also add their health details and set up a Medical ID with emergency contacts. |