Parental controls on iPhone: the complete setup guide

Apple builds parental controls into every iPhone and iPad, free. They are called Screen Time, and they let you set daily limits, schedule quiet hours, choose which apps and websites are allowed, and approve purchases. This guide sets them up in a sensible order. Menu names move slightly between iOS versions, so if a screen looks different, look for the same words nearby.

Step 1: Create a child account with Family Sharing

Family Sharing lets you manage your child's iPhone from your own. On your iPhone open Settings, tap your name, then Family, then add a member. Choose to create an account for a child and follow the steps. Children under 13 need a child account in most places, and it keeps everything under your Apple account.

Step 2: Turn on Screen Time for your child

On your iPhone go to Settings, Screen Time, and select your child's name under Family. Tap Turn On Screen Time. Apple walks you through Downtime, App Limits and Content & Privacy, which are the next three steps.

Step 3: Set a Screen Time passcode

This is the lock on everything else. Choose a four-digit code your child will not guess, and do not use a birthday. See Screen Time passcode: set it, change it, reset it for what to do if you forget it.

Step 4: Downtime

Downtime blocks most apps during hours you pick, such as bedtime and school. Calls and apps you choose to always allow still work. The full guide is Downtime on iPhone.

Step 5: App limits

App limits cap time per app or per category, for example games or social. When the limit is reached the app is blocked until the next day, unless you approve more time. See App limits on iPhone.

Step 6: Content and privacy restrictions

Under Content & Privacy Restrictions you can limit explicit content, set age ratings for apps and shows, block in-app purchases and control who your child can communicate with. Turn on Ask to Buy in Family Sharing so that you approve every purchase.

Popular apps beyond the phone settings

Games and video apps have their own controls on top of Apple's:

• Roblox parental controls cover chat, spending and content.
• YouTube parental controls and daily time limits cover what your child watches and for how long.

Settings are not enough

No setting replaces a conversation. Explain the rules, agree on them, and let your child earn more freedom as they show they can manage it. If you want to go beyond blocking, look at screen time apps that make kids earn their time, and our honest comparison of parental control apps.