Manage your child's access to apps and app requests on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Screen Time comes with parental controls — like Ask to Buy — which requires your child to request access to apps they want to download. You also get a notification whenever your child tries to download an app rated above the age rating you've set for them. Each approved app gets added to an allowed list, which you can adjust at any time.
In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27, Screen Time introduces new parental controls to help parents manage what kids access, when they use their devices, and how they stay safe while communicating with others. To access these updated parental controls, make sure every device in your Family Sharing group is using these software versions. The Family Sharing organiser or a parent/guardian also needs to update the parental controls for the family group.
If you can't update every device in your Family Sharing group, you can continue to use the previous version of Screen Time and parental controls.
Before you get started
Create a Child Account for your child, if they don't have one already. Then make sure your child's account is part of your Family Sharing group. It's important that your child has their own Apple Account, and isn't sharing an account with anyone else, like another family member.
Update all devices in your Family Sharing group to the latest software version to ensure that your Screen Time settings sync across all the devices in your Family Sharing group. Then update your parental controls to access the new Screen Time and parental controls.
Make sure the Family Sharing organiser or a parent/guardian is added to the child's contacts list so their requests can be sent for approval.
How to allow or block apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
In Screen Time, you can see a list of the apps you've allowed. You can block your child's access to an app at any time. When you block an app, your child can't use it. The app appears dimmed on the Home Screen, but not deleted.
On iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app. On Mac, choose Apple menu , then click System Settings.
Tap or click Screen Time.
Tap or click Family, then select your child's name.
Tap or click Apps & Websites.
Tap or click Allowed to show a list of approved apps. Tap or click Blocked to show a list of blocked apps.
To block an app, tap or click the app from the Approved list, then tap or click Block App.
How to respond to an app exception request
If your child tries to download an app with an age rating higher than the age restriction you set for them, they'll see a message that says content restrictions are enabled and they need to ask their parent or guardian for permission. If they ask for an exception, you’ll receive a message in the Messages app. You can approve or decline the request directly from the message notification or in the Messages app. If you don't approve the request within 24 hours, your child will have to send another request.
Ask to Buy is on by default for children under 13.* Depending on your state, country, or region, your child might have to request permission to access all apps, regardless of the age rating. If you approved an app, you might have to approve the app again if the app made a significant change (for example, it implemented a higher age rating or introduced a new feature).
Respond on your device
When you tap or click Review the request, the app's page opens. You can approve or decline the exception, or view the app's Age Rating Details.
Respond on your child's device
Open the App Store (or where they made the request) and find the app.
You should see a message that a request has been sent and is awaiting approval. In that message, tap or click "approve in person" then sign in with your Apple Account.
If you can’t respond to your child’s exception request
When your child sends a request for you to approve, you will get a message in the Messages app. If you don’t get a message, check the following:
Update your iPhone or iPad to the latest software. You need the latest software version to respond to some requests from your child. To make sure Screen Time settings and other parental controls work as intended, keep all of the devices in your Family Sharing group updated.
Add your Apple Account email address to iMessage. Make sure you can send and receive messages using iMessage from your Apple Account email address.
Use iMessage regularly. To get these requests via Messages, you need to have sent and received messages using iMessage in the last 30 days.
Turn on notifications for Messages. To get a notification when you receive a request, turn on notifications for the Messages app.
Sync your iCloud contacts to your device. Make sure your iCloud contacts sync to the device where you want to receive these requests.
* Age varies by state, country or region. Find out more about settings and features for kids by country or region.