How to Set Up Parental Controls on iPhone

Set up the family structure

1. Create or add the child’s Apple Account to Family Sharing.
2. Confirm the child’s age and device.
3. Open Screen Time for the child from the family settings.
4. Set a Screen Time passcode that the child does not know.

Choose controls

• Downtime and app limits
• Communication limits
• Content and privacy restrictions
• Web-content settings
• Purchase approval with Ask to Buy
• Location sharing only where agreed and appropriate

Test the restrictions

Try an app installation, in-app purchase, blocked website and limit expiry. Confirm that emergency calling and essential school or medical apps still work.

Avoid overblocking

Controls can fail, sync late or block legitimate content. Keep regular conversations and review exceptions rather than treating Screen Time as complete supervision.

After a system update

Check Screen Time, Ask to Buy, communication limits and content restrictions after major iOS changes or a replacement device. A restored backup may not reproduce every control exactly.

Configure the child through Family Sharing, then test the restrictions

Screen Time settings are easier to manage and recover when the child has a proper child Apple Account in the family group.

• Set a separate Screen Time passcode the child does not know.
• Review Content & Privacy Restrictions, communication limits, downtime and purchases.
• Test installing an app, opening restricted content and requesting more time.
• Keep emergency contacts and agreed essential apps available.

Do not rely on category labels alone. Review the actual apps and websites the child uses, because content classifications and browser behaviour can vary.