How to Set Up Parental Controls on iPhone

For mature parenting, enhanced parental controls with smart activity tracking are inevitable. With whom your child interacts, what sort of content they watch and listen to, and to whom they contact when faced with personal issues play a vital role in shaping the little world of your kid. Unless you know what the child is fond of and how they spend their time while being away from your eyes, you will never know which way they are going. When it comes to mastering the art of parenting, striking a fine balance is key. This is where a robust parental control tool like Screen Time can make your task quite simple thanks to intuitive insights and better command. So, if you are ready to unlock the full potential of this parenting tool, let me show you how to set up parental controls on your iPhone and iPad.

Set Up Parental Controls on iPhone and iPad (2022)

Set Up Parental Controls on iPhone and iPad (2022)

Fortunately for parents, Apple provides a plethora of parental control features on iPhone and iPad. However, that also means that this thorough guide is pretty long. If you’re just looking for help on a particular aspect of parental control, we’d recommend you use the table of contents below to skip ahead to the relevant section.

What Makes Screen Time Stand Out As a Parental Control Tool?

Probably the best part about Apple Screen Time is the deep integration with iDevices such as iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With theseamless iCloud syncing, it lets you keep a track of the activity of your child from any linked device. What’s more, you can set up downtime to allow only selected apps during a specific time and set daily time limits for different app categories to ward off overkilling and alsoget rid of smartphone addiction.

If you want to further enhance parental controls, you can set up communication limits to stop your child from communicating with unknown people and also put a blanket ban on obscene images through the kid’s Messages safety feature. Couple these efficient features with the ability to block explicit movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, books, and evendisable bad language for Siri, and Screen Time seems to have checked off all the essential boxes.

Create a Child Account for Enhanced Parental Control on iOS/iPadOS

To get started, create a child account so that you can manage Screen Time for your child with the desired flexibility.

  1. OpenSettings appon your device-> Apple ID banner(aka your profile)-> Family Sharing.

  2. Now, tapScreen Timeand then tapCreate a Child Account. After that, follow the instructions to create an account for your child.

Set Up Screen Time for Kids on iPhone and iPad

Screen Time for a child’s iPhone allows you to set up additional parental controls. So, be sure toset up and customize Screen Time for your kid.

  1. On your child’s iOS/iPadOS device, navigate to theSettings app -> Screen Time > Turn on Screen Time.

  2. Now, tapContinueand then choose“This is My Child’s iPhone/iPad.

  3. On the downtime screen, you canset a schedulefor time away from the screen. Based on your needs, you can allow access to essential apps along with calls and messages on your iPhone. Note that your child will require your permission to have more screen time. Customize the start and end time and then hitSet Downtime.

  4. Next up,set daily time limits for app categoriessuch as games, social, entertainment, creativity, and more. After a time limit has been reached, it will require your permission to allow more time. TapShow All Categoriesto reveal all the categories and then choose the desired categories. After that, tapTime Amountand set the time limit. Then, tapSet App Limit.

  5. Now,customize content and privacy settingsas per your liking. For example, you can block shady websites, restrict explicit content in App Store, iTunes, andApple Music. Even better, Screen Time also allows you to make it mandatory to require your permission to make changes to the privacy settings. HitContinueto proceed.

  6. Up next,create a Screen Time passcodewhich is required to allow for more time, and also make changes to the Screen Time settings. Enter a Screen Time passcode andApple ID passwordso that you will be able toreset/recover your Screen Time passcode. Then, hitOKto finish.

That’s pretty much done! You have set up and customized Screen Time for your child. Depending on your needs, you can make the necessary changes by going to theSettings app -> Screen Time.

Customize Downtime on iPhone and iPad

Screen Time features a dedicated section for Downtime which lets you allow only the selected apps and phone calls to be available on the device during a specific time. A downtime reminder shows up five minutes before the downtime comes into effect. Do note that it will apply to all the devices signed in to iCloud with Share Across Devices enabled.

  1. Open theSettings appon your iPhone-> Screen Time -> Downtime.

  2. Now, turn on the toggle next toSchedule. After that, customize the days and time duration for downtime. Besides, you also have the option to block the device at downtime.

Set Up and Customize App Limits on iOS and iPadOS

For enhanced flexibility, Screen Time allows you to separately set up and customizedaily time limits for appcategories on your iPhone and iPad. Bear in mind that app limits will apply to all your devices synced with the same iCloud account with Share Across Devices enabled. An alert will show up on the screen five minutes before the limit is reached.

  1. Open theSettings app -> Screen Time -> App Limitsand then tapAdd Limit.

  2. When you select an category, you will get access to all the apps belonging to that specific category. Then, choose all the apps that you want to limit. Notably, it lets you limit website usage as well. To do so, tapWebsites -> Add Websiteand thenenter the URL of the sitefor which you want to limit usage. Then, tapNext.

  3. Next up,set the time duration. You can tap Customize Days and then tweak the time duration based on days. After that,block the app when the limit expires.

Manage Apps Available During Downtime on iPhone

To ensure you are able to restrict contacts (limits apply to Phone, FaceTime, Messages, and iCloud Contacts) and manage apps available during downtime with ease, Screen Time has a separate section named Always Allowed. So, if you ever want to disallow any app or limit who can contact your child during downtime, you can make the needed changes without any hassle.

  1. LaunchSettings appon your device-> Screen Time -> Always Allowed.

  2. Now, tapContactsand then either allow everyone to communicate with your child or let only specific contacts communicate.

  3. To allow any app to be available during downtime, tapthe “+” buttonto the left of it. If you want to disallow an app, tapthe “-” buttonto the left of a specific app and hit Remove.

Block Websites in Safari and Chrome on iPhone and iPad

If you no longer want your child to visit certain websites or just wish to put all the malicious websites on a black list to ensure your kid do not visit them, Screen Time can live up to your task. The restriction will apply to not only the stock browser “Safari” but alsothird-party browserssuch as Chrome and Firefox.

  1. Head into theSettings appon your iPhone/iPad-> Screen Time ->Content & Privacy Restrictions. Turn on the switch next toContent & Privacy Restrictionsand tapContent Restrictions. After that, enter your Screen Time passcode.

  2. Now, tapWeb Contentand selectLimit Adult Websites. Under theNever Allowsection, tapAdd Website. Then, enter the address of the website that you want to block and hitDone.

We have created a detailed guide about how toblock websites in Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. So, do not forget to check out the guide, if you need more help.

Disable Explicit Language for Siri on iPhone and iPad

Interestingly, you can also restrict Siri from using band language while communicating with your child.

  1. Go to theSettings app -> Screen Time ->Content & Privacy Restrictions. Enable the toggle forContent & Privacy Restrictionsand tapContent Restrictions. Then, enter your Screen Time passcode.

  2. Under theSirisection, tapExplicit Languageand chooseDon’t Allow.

Set Up Communication Limits to Prevent Your Child from Communicating with Strangers

To prevent your child from communicating with unknown people, you should set communication limits on your iPhone. This restriction will apply to Phone, FaceTime, Messages, and iCloud Contacts.

  1. LaunchSettings appon your iOS device-> Screen Time. Under theFamilysection, tap yourchild’s nameand chooseCommunication Limits.

  2. Now, tapDuring Screen Timeandenter your Screen Time passcode.

  3. Up next, you have three options to choose from:

To prevent your child from communicating with unknown numbers, choose Contacts Only or Contacts & Groups with at least one contact. Once you have selected the desired option, tap theback buttonat the top left corner of the screen.

Note:

  1. TapDuring Downtimeand thenenter your Screen Time passcode. After that, you canallow communication with only specific contacts or contacts & groups with at least one contact. Then, tap the back button.

  2. In the end, you canallow/disallow contact editingandmanage your child’s contacts remotely.

Enable Communication Safety Feature for Messages App

If you want to protect your child from being exposed to explicit/nude photos, you should enable the Communication Safety feature for theMessages app. When this feature is enabled, the messaging app keeps a track of the images that are sent/received. And if the app ever detects that the child receives or is attempting to send obscene photos, it automatically blurs the images to safeguard your child.

Additionally, the kid’s communication safety feature provides the needed guidance and age-appropriate resources to help your child make a safer choice. Moreover, it also enables them to contact a person they trust for advice.

In the wake of privacy concerns related to the communication safety feature, Apple has stressed that it doesn’t have access to any of the photos in the Messages app. Furthermore, the tech giant has also stated that theentire photo scanning is done on-device to verify if a photo has nudity.To ensure the privacy of your child doesn’t get compromised, the messaging app retains end-to-end encryption.

Note:

  1. Head into theSettings app -> Screen Time. Under theFamilysection, tap your child’s name.

  2. Now, tapCommunication Safetyand then turn on the toggle next toCheck for Sensitive Photos.

Hide Built-In Apps on Your iPhone and iPad Using Screen Time

Screen Time offers a straightforward way to hide some built-in apps like camera and App Store on your iPhone. Better still, you can also use this feature to coneal certain features like AirDrop,Siri & Dictation, andCarPlay.

  1. Open theSettings appon your iOS device-> Screen Time. Now, scroll down to the bottom and tapContent & Privacy Restrictions. Make sure that the toggle next toContent & Privacy Restrictionsis turned on.

  2. TapAllowed Apps. Now, you should see a list of built-in apps including Podcasts, Wallet, News, Camera, Safari, Mail, FaceTime, Health, Fitness, and iTunes Store.

Besides, the list also includes Siri & Dictation, AirDrop, SharePlay, and CarPlay.Turn off the togglesnext to the apps and features you want to hide and then close out of the setting.

Hide Apps Based on Ratings on iPhone and iPad

If you looking for abetter way to hide apps on your iPhone, make the most of the rating-based method to keep certain apps under wraps.

  1. Launch theSettings appon your iOS device-> Screen Time-> Content & Privacy Restrictions. Now turn on the toggle forContent & Privacy Restrictions. After that, tapContent Restrictions.

  2. Next, tap the“Apps”option and thenselect the ratingfor which you want to hide apps on your iOS device. If you want to hide all the apps except a few essential apps, chooseDon’t Allow.

Restrict iTunes & App Store Purchases on iPhone and iPad

To stop your kid from installing, deleting and making in-app purchases without your permission, you can restrict iTunes and App Store purchases.

  1. Head over toSettings app -> Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictionsand turn on the toggle. Then, tapiTunes & App Store Purchases.

  2. Under theStore Purchases & Redownloadssection, you have three options:

  3. Under theRequired Passwordsection, chooseAlways Requireto make it mandatory to enter the password for additional purchases.

Restrict Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, Books, and App Clips on iOS

To keep obscene movies, TV shows, books, podcasts, and app clips away, you can restrict store content and allow only ‘Clean’ content on your child’s iPhone/iPad.

  1. Navigate to theSettings app -> Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictions-> turn on the toggle forContent & Privacy Restrictionsand then tapContent Restrictions.

  2. Under theAllowed Store Contentsection, you should see several options including Music, Podcasts, TV Shows, Books, App Clips, and more. Now, head into each category and then customize the setting as per your need.

Restrict Game Center on Your iPhone and iPad

Screen Time lets you restrict Game Center so that you can stop your kid from taking part in multiplayer games, adding friends or even indulging inprivate messaging.

  1. Head over to the Settings app -> Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictions -> turn on the toggle for Content & Privacy Restrictions and then tap Content Restrictions.

  2. Scroll down to theGame Centersection and thencustomize the settingto your heart’s liking.

Customize Privacy Settings

Whether you are a privacy-centric person or want to boost the privacy of your kid, you would appreciate having the flexibility to customize privacy settings right from one spot.

  1. LaunchSettings app -> Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictions.

  2. Now, scroll down to thePrivacysection and then tap the specific categories likeLocation Services, Contacts, Calendars, Photos, Share My Location, Bluetooth Sharing, etc. Then, make the necessary changes.

Disallow Passcode and Account Changes on iPhone and iPad

No longer want your child to change passcode/account or tweak the background app activities without your permission? Don’t worry, Screen Time has got you covered.

  1. Open theSettings app -> Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictions.

  2. Now, scroll down to theAllow Changessection. After that, go to the specific section like Passcode Changes, Account Changes, Mobile Data Changes, Driving Focus, etc, and then disallow changes.

Use Parental Controls on iPhone and iPad

Use Parental Controls on iPhone and iPad

There you have it! So, that’s how you can take advantage of Screen Time to set up and use parental control on your iOS or iPadOS device. Slowly but steadily, Apple has built a power parental control tool. Hence, you no longer need to rely on third-party parental control apps to keep an eye on your kid and also restrict his/her device usage. That said, what do you have to say about Screen Time and recent improvements it has got. As always, we would appreciate your valuable thoughts in the comments section below.

Rajesh Mishra

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.

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