How to Set Up Parental Controls on an iPhone

Set up a child’s iPhone with Family Sharing, Screen Time, content restrictions and a Screen Time passcode without overcomplicating the process.

Set up Family Sharing first

Apple’s current parental-control flow starts with Family Sharing. Add the child’s Apple Account to the family group, then manage Screen Time from the parent or guardian device. Keeping each child on the correct Apple Account helps settings and activity stay associated with the right person.

Turn on Screen Time for the child

From the parent iPhone, open Settings, choose Family, select the child and open Screen Time. From there you can configure downtime, app limits, communication settings and content restrictions.

Choose only the restrictions you need

Start with the boundaries that solve a real problem: purchases, age-rated content, certain apps, late-night use or communication. Too many restrictions at once make problems harder to diagnose and can create unnecessary family friction.

Protect the settings with a Screen Time passcode

Use a Screen Time passcode that the child does not know. Apple treats this separately from the device unlock passcode, so changes to Screen Time can require parental approval.

Useful official sources

• Apple Support: Use parental controls to manage your child’s iPhone or iPad
• Apple Support: Set up parental controls with Family Sharing
• Apple Support: Set a Screen Time passcode