Apple’s iPhones come with strong built-in parental controls. You may filter applications and online searches, limit screen time, and restrict material, for instance. Although it takes some effort to figure out how to activate and set them up, they are rather straightforward.
Without having to spend too much time sifting through your child’s iPhone, I made this guide to assist you complete the stages as quickly as possible. I have created a list of some usual methods children circumvent Apple’s built-in parental control tool and advice on how to stop it.
Since Apple’s parental control software is really rudimentary and lacks the handy elements that come with third-party parental control programs, I also came up with my own suggestions for a nice one. You may also have more precise control with these parental control applications. Qustodio is my favorite.
In 2025, will Apple’s integrated parental controls be sufficient for iPhones?
Not if you wish to have greater authority over your child’s iPhone. Although they are quite simple, Apple’s built-in parental controls are respectable. They enable you to control privacy settings, schedule device downtime, limit access to explicit material, and set time limitations for particular applications. However, they don’t have location tracking or call monitoring, and you can’t filter apps on browsers other than Siri.
Step 1: Configure Apple Family Sharing
You may join up to six children to a Family Sharing group in order to utilize the built-in parental control. You may also share your location, previous purchases, and Apple Music subscriptions with your family members by using Family Sharing.
Open Settings on your iPad or iPhone.
Press the “Family” button.
Then, to create the group, select Family Sharing and adhere to the on-screen directions.
Go back to Family Sharing and choose Create an Account for a Child to add your child to the group. As you add them to your Family Sharing group, establish an Apple ID for them if they don’t already have one.
Step 1: Turn on screen time
Limiting your child’s screen time on their iOS device is possible using Screen Time. In order to ensure that your child is concentrating on their homework or isn’t using their phone just before bed, you can specify when they may and cannot use their device by inputting start and finish hours.
Go to Settings.
- Tap on Screen Time after scrolling down. To activate it, adhere to the on-screen directions.
- If and when your youngster requests extra time, you may grant their request here as well.
- To preserve the modifications, create a Screen Time passcode. Your child cannot alter your screen time limits thanks to the Screen Time password, which encrypts the Screen Time settings on an iOS device.
Step 2: Plan Screen Time Intervals Considering Downtime
You may plan times when certain functions are limited by using downtime. It is intended to assist kids in taking a vacation from their gadgets and cutting back on screen time at certain times, including before bed, when studying, or during family get-togethers.
- Select “Downtime” from Screen Time.
- Enter your passcode for Screen Time.
- Press the Scheduled switch. The Downtime function will then be activated.
- To set the same time limitations for each day, choose Every Day and choose the start and finish timings.
- If you wish to create various time limitations for particular days, such as the weekends, choose Customize Days and enter precise timings for each day.
Step 3: Establish App Limits
Setting daily time allotments for particular applications or app categories is made possible by app limitations. When a certain app or category’s time limit expires, your child won’t be able to use it until the following day.
- Click on App Limits from Screen Time.
- Press “Add Limit.”
- Decide which categories you wish to limit.
- To limit certain applications, touch the name of the category. This will show you all of the apps in that category. Choose whatever applications you wish to restrict from there.
- To restrict access to every app and category on the smartphone, you can also tap on All Apps & Categories.
- Select the time limit by tapping Next. To choose the length of time on each day, tap Customize Days. Next, establish restrictions for particular days.
- To save the modifications, tap Add.
Step 4: Establish Communication Boundaries
You may manage who your child can talk to on their iOS device by setting Communication Limits. You may choose whether to impose these limitations at specified times of the day or at all times, and you can block incoming and outgoing phone and FaceTime conversations, as well as messages from particular contacts.
In iCloud, enable contacts. Turn on Contacts by going to Settings > [child’s name] > iCloud. Keep in mind that if your child isn’t utilizing Contacts in iCloud, you won’t be able to control their correspondence.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Select “Communication Limits.”
- Select During Screen Time and select Contacts Only, Contacts & Groups with at Least One Contact, or Everyone to limit communication.
- Choose During Downtime to restrict interaction during downtime. Here, the selection you make for During Screen Time will be used automatically. If you’d like, you may also change this to Specific Contacts. To decide who can interact during downtime when selecting Specific Contacts, tap on either Add New Contact or Choose From My Contacts.
- Choose Manage [child’s name] Contacts to control your child’s contacts. You may see, edit, or delete your child’s contacts thanks to this.
Step 5: Establish Privacy and Content Limitations
With Content & Privacy Restrictions, you may limit access to applications, content, and other features on your child’s iOS device. For example, you can limit explicit material, purchases, downloads, and privacy settings.
Go to Screen Time under Settings.
- After making your selection, turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions. Include a passcode that has to be entered before changing any settings for further protection.
- Establish content limits for purchases made through the App Store and iTunes Store. These guidelines can be further tailored based on content ratings.
- To limit certain applications or functions, pick the ones you wish to permit by tapping on Allowed Apps. An application or feature will be taken off your Home Screen when you disable it, but it won’t be erased.
- Choose the desired settings for each feature or parameter under Allowed Store Content from Content Restrictions to stop the playback of explicit music and films or TV series with particular ratings. Music, podcasts, fitness, news, music videos, music profiles, movies, TV series, books, applications, and app clips are among the content that might be restricted.
- In the Safari browser, select Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites after tapping on Web material to limit web material. Additionally, you may restrict access to just allowed websites or add certain websites to a list of websites that are either prohibited or permitted.
- To configure Siri, hit Content Restrictions, then scroll down to Siri and choose your preferences. With this function, you may stop Siri from searching the web and displaying sexual information when your child asks a query.
- Tap on Content Restrictions to limit access to the Game Center. Choose which material to prohibit after selecting Game Center. Multiplayer games, adding friends, connecting with friends, screen recording, nearby multiplayer, private messaging, changing the privacy of your profile, and changing your avatar and nickname are among your possibilities.
- You may adjust privacy settings by tapping on Privacy and choosing the desired option. From there, you can also control access and modify privacy settings, such as preventing certain apps—like calendar, contacts, reminders, and photos—from using location services.
- Tap on Allow Changes to permit modifications to additional features and settings. Next, decide which features or settings you wish to permit modifications to, then click Allow or Don’t Allow. Passcode changes, account changes, cellular data changes, reducing loud sounds, driving focus, TV provider, and background app activities are just a few of the features and options that you may permit or prohibit.
Install a third-party iOS parental control app in step six.
Get a decent iOS parental control app. I suggest the Qustodio because it offers a location-tracking function, allows you to keep an eye on your child’s calls and texts, and has great site and app blocking.
- Install the app on your gadget. Go to the Qustodio website or look for the app in the app store on your smartphone. To configure it, adhere to the on-screen directions. It should take no more than two minutes to complete the entire process.
- Make an account and give your child a profile.
- Install the app on your child’s gadget. On your child’s phone, download the app from the App Store. Then, set it up by following the on-screen directions. In order to track your child’s iOS device, you must provide the required permission.
- From the parent app, set rules. That’s it! Now, your child can only use their phone and access applications and information if you have given them permission to do so.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The steps and features described are based on the latest iOS version available as of 2025. Apple may update or change parental control settings at any time. Always refer to the official Apple support resources for the most accurate information.
While we do recommend third-party parental control apps like Qustodio based on personal experience and research, we are not affiliated with Apple or any specific app mentioned. Please do your own research before installing any third-party software and ensure it meets your needs and privacy standards.
We do not collect any personal data from users or their children. This guide does not substitute for professional legal or parental advice.