How to set up parental controls on a child's iPhone

2 min read · 8 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Apple's parental controls are part of Screen Time and are managed from the parent's phone, so you do not need the child's iPhone in your hand each time. They work properly only when the child has their own Apple Account with the right birth date, in your family group.

Menu names are from recent versions of iOS. On older versions some entries sit one level higher or lower.

Step by step

1. Put the child in your family group

   The child needs an Apple Account of their own, created by a parent for children under the age limit. See how to set up Family Sharing on an iPhone.

   Done

2. Open Settings, Family, the child's name

   Do this on your own iPhone. Tap Screen Time for the child and switch it on if asked. Choose a Screen Time passcode that the child does not know.

   Done

3. Set age ratings

   Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter the passcode if asked. Under Content Restrictions, pick each kind of content, such as apps, films, TV programmes, books and music, and choose a rating for the child's age, or Don't Allow.

   Done

4. Limit web content

   In the same section, choose to limit adult websites or to allow only a list of websites you approve. The second is suited to young children.

   Done

5. Block purchases

   Under Apps & Websites, App Store, set In-app Purchases to Blocked and decide whether the child may install and delete apps. With Ask to Buy, every download, even a free one, needs your approval.

   Done

6. Decide on Siri and Game Center

   Under Content & Privacy Restrictions you can block features such as writing assistance and image creation. Under Apps & Websites, Restrictions, the Game Center section controls adding friends and private messages.

   Done

7. Lock the privacy settings

   Scroll to Privacy Restrictions. For categories such as Accounts, Location or Contacts, choose Don't Allow, so the child cannot change them or sign in with another account.

   Done

8. Add time limits

   Back on the child's Screen Time page, Downtime blocks the phone at night, and App Limits set a daily time for groups of apps.

   Done

Good to know

Screen Distance is switched on automatically for child accounts. It reminds the child to hold the phone further from their eyes.

No filter is complete. Talk with your child about what the limits are for, and look at the weekly Screen Time report together.

Children ask for more time through a request that arrives on your phone. Approving it for 15 minutes, an hour or the day is one tap.

For a watch without a phone: how to set up an Apple Watch for a child without an iPhone. Time limits in detail: how to set a daily time limit for apps on iPhone.

In short: Child in the family group, Settings, Family, child's name, Screen Time passcode, content ratings, web limits, purchases blocked or Ask to Buy, privacy locked, Downtime and App Limits.