iPhone for a child — full setup with Family Sharing & Screen Time

Create a Child Apple Account inside Family Sharing, then use Screen Time and Communication Safety to lock down content, time and contacts.

Apple's parental controls live in two places: Family Sharing (which links your accounts) and Screen Time (which sets the rules). You configure most things from your own iPhone once the child's Apple Account is linked. Apple’s September 2026 documentation uses new iOS 27 menus after the family’s devices and parental controls are updated. Older software uses the earlier Screen Time menus. Follow the linked Apple guide for your version.

Official Apple Support walkthrough (2:37) for creating the child's Apple Account. Then follow the detailed steps below to lock down Screen Time.

Step-by-step

1 · Create the Child Apple Account

On YOUR iPhone, open Settings → tap your name at the top → Family.

Official video · Apple Support
Create a Child Apple Account
Publisher’s overview video. Use the written guidance and current official support links for settings; the video may show older menus.
Open official source

1Tap 'Add Member' → 'Create Child Account' → Continue.
2Enter the child's name and birthday (this sets the right default restrictions).
3Agree to the Parent Privacy Disclosure and verify yourself (Face ID / Touch ID / CVV on your Apple-ID payment card).
4Create the child's Apple ID (an @icloud.com email) and a password YOU keep.
5Enable Ask to Buy for eligible downloads and purchases. Redownloading the child’s own purchases, updates and redemption codes have exceptions.

2 · Sign the child in on their iPhone

Official video · Apple Support
Connect the child to Family Sharing
Publisher’s overview video. Use the written guidance and current official support links for settings; the video may show older menus.
Open official source

1If the iPhone is new: at the 'Hello' screen choose 'Set Up for a Child in My Family' (iOS 16+).
2If the phone already has an account, check whether it should be added to the family rather than replaced. Back up data and follow Apple’s account-transfer instructions before signing out or erasing anything.
3Accept the prompts to enable iCloud Backup, Find My iPhone and Screen Time.

3 · Screen Time and time limits

Open Settings → Family → the child. New iOS 27 controls use Time Allowances and Screen Time Schedule; older versions use App Limits and Downtime.

Official video · Apple Support
Set up Screen Time
Publisher’s overview video. Use the written guidance and current official support links for settings; the video may show older menus.
Open official source

1Set a separate Screen Time passcode and protect the parent account.
2Choose a daily allowance and a schedule that fit school, sleep and family needs.
3Review apps and contacts allowed during restricted periods.
4On older versions, check Block at End of Limit where offered.
5Check an ordinary call to a trusted adult while limits are active.

4 · Content & Privacy Restrictions

Open the child’s family settings. iOS 27 separates Apps & Websites from Content & Privacy Restrictions; older versions group more options inside Screen Time.

Official video · Apple Support
Set up parental controls
Publisher’s overview video. Use the written guidance and current official support links for settings; the video may show older menus.
Open official source

1Review app installation and purchase controls; the current Apple guide gives the menus for your version.
2Choose content ratings appropriate to the child. App Store ratings describe content, not the service’s account eligibility.
3Review website filtering or approved websites, and check the browsers the child actually uses.
4Review Siri, privacy permissions and whether the child can change account settings.

5 · Communication, contacts & Messages

Official video · Apple Support
Review communication controls
Publisher’s overview video. Use the written guidance and current official support links for settings; the video may show older menus.
Open official source

1Review allowed contacts for Phone, Messages and FaceTime; other messaging apps need their own controls.
2Check Communication Safety is enabled. Features vary by software version; follow Apple’s current guide.
3Review who can edit contacts and check trusted adults remain reachable during restricted periods.

6 · Safety & device security

Official video · Apple Support
Review device safety settings
Publisher’s overview video. Use the written guidance and current official support links for settings; the video may show older menus.
Open official source

1Settings → Family → child → Location Sharing → On. The child's iPhone appears in Find My.
2On the child phone: Settings → [name] → Find My → 'Find My iPhone' On, 'Send Last Location' On.
3On the child phone: Settings → Face ID & Passcode → 'Stolen Device Protection' On (iOS 17.3+).
4In Health → Medical ID, add emergency contacts and decide whether to enable Show When Locked. Without that setting, Medical ID is not available from the lock screen.

What you can control

Time controls

Schedules and allowances on the new software; Downtime and App Limits on earlier versions.

Purchase approvals

Ask to Buy covers eligible requests, with exceptions.

Communication controls

Review Apple’s supported apps and manage other messaging apps separately.

Content and privacy

Review ratings, website access and permissions.

Device security

Set up Find My and appropriate device security; location is not guaranteed.

Plan how to call for help

Learn how to reach the Emergency option on this iPhone. Medical ID is available from the lock screen only when Show When Locked is enabled. Keep the phone charged and check ordinary calls to a trusted adult during restrictions. Do not call 999 or 112 as a test.

Official tutorials & videos

Everything below links directly to Apple, Google, Meta, TikTok, Snap or Discord — no third-party blogs.

Things to keep in mind

Keep the Screen Time passcode and parent-account recovery details secure. Recheck settings after major software updates.
Apple updated its App Store age ratings in July 2025 (iOS 26+) to 4+, 9+, 13+, 16+ and 18+ — more granular than the old 4+/9+/12+/17+ tiers still shown on devices below iOS 26. In Screen Time → Content Restrictions you can cap which ratings the child may install, so set it deliberately rather than leaving it at the default. Source: developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/reference/app-information/age-ratings-values-and-definitions/