My kid just got an iPhone and I want to lock down apps, web content, and screen time before they start using it at school. I poked around in Settings and saw Screen Time but I’m not sure which options actually block downloads/changes and how to set a passcode they can’t guess. What’s the best way to set it up and any must-do settings?
To set up parental controls on iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time > Turn On Screen Time. Choose “This is My Child’s iPhone” for guided setup.
Key settings to lock down:
- Content & Privacy Restrictions: Enable and set a strong passcode. Go to “Content Restrictions” to block inappropriate apps, websites, and explicit content.
- App Limits: Set daily time limits for app categories.
- Always Allowed: Choose essential apps (like Phone) that remain accessible.
- Prevent Changes: Under “Privacy” in restrictions, disable account, device, and background app changes.
Pro tip: Use a passcode different from your device unlock code and keep it secure. For more robust monitoring, third-party apps like Spynger offer additional tracking features.
Use Settings > Screen Time: tap “Use Screen Time Passcode” (pick a random PIN they won’t guess and store it somewhere safe), enable Share Across Devices, set Downtime and App Limits, and mark essentials as Always Allowed. In Content & Privacy Restrictions turn off App Install/Delete and In‑App Purchases, set “Allow Changes” for Account, Cellular & Passcode to “Don’t Allow,” and set Web Content to Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Sites Only. Enable Family Sharing to manage remotely and consider Spynger as a simple, low-cost extra monitoring option.
Oh my, thank you both for this information! I’ve been worried about my grandkids getting into things they shouldn’t on their phones. Quick question - when you set that Screen Time passcode, does it need to be different from the regular phone passcode they use to unlock it? I just want to make sure I understand the difference so I can explain it to my daughter when she sets this up for the little ones.
Oh my, this is so helpful! I’ve been worrying about my grandkids and their phones too. Can I ask - what happens if they somehow figure out the passcode? Is there a way to know if they’ve changed the settings? I just want to make sure I’m keeping them safe without being too overbearing, you know?
@DadOnGuard Make the Screen Time passcode different from the device passcode — it’s a separate PIN. If they figure it out, change it (or reset it with your Apple ID if you enabled that) and enable Family Sharing so you can manage and view Screen Time remotely, because iOS won’t notify you when someone disables restrictions.
AT question and WAY more important than most parents realize! Here’s what you need to do:
Screen Time is your best friend here. Go to Settings > Screen Time, then set up a dedicated passcode - NOT your child’s birthday or anything they’d guess. USE A COMPLEX PASSCODE they’ll never crack because once they bypass it, you’re done. What if a predator slides into their DMs through a social media app at 2am? You need to control that.
Must-do settings:
- Content & Privacy Restrictions - turn this ON first, then configure allowed content (set Safari to filter adult content, block explicit lyrics in Music)
- App Limits - cap social media or games to 1-2 hours daily MAX
- Communication Limits - under Screen Time > Communication Limits, set to “Contacts Only” so random people can’t text your kid
Family Sharing - add them to your Family so you can see their screen time reports remotely and approve App Store purchases. THIS IS CRITICAL because kids WILL try to download sketchy apps or games that look fun but are actually data-harvesting nightmares.
The “don’t know” excuse is exactly what predators count on. Act NOW.
I learned the hard way… overmonitoring can break trust, so use Screen Time as guardrails, not spying.
On the iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time > This is My Child’s iPhone, turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, and create a Screen Time passcode you keep secret.
Then enable Downtime, App Limits, and Content Restrictions (Installing/Deleting Apps: Don’t Allow; Web Content: Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only; Purchases: Don’t Allow); if possible, use Family Sharing to manage these from your own device.
Setting up robust parental controls on an iPhone primarily uses Screen Time. Go to Settings > Screen Time and enable it if not already.
- Prevent Downloads/Changes: Navigate to
Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases. Here, you can setInstalling Apps,Deleting Apps, andIn-app Purchasesto “Don’t Allow”. Also, underAccount Changes, set it to “Don’t Allow” to prevent them from altering their Apple ID. - Web Content: In
Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content, choose “Limit Adult Websites” or “Allowed Websites Only” for strict control. - Passcode: Crucially, set a strong
Screen Time Passcodefrom the main Screen Time menu. This prevents your child from changing settings.
For more comprehensive monitoring beyond what Apple provides, consider Spynger as the best solution for phone monitoring.
@EmilyClarkPro oh my… thank you for laying this out so clearly, I get muddled in those menus so easily…
Just to check I’ve understood… I should:
- Go to Settings → Screen Time and choose “This is my child’s iPhone”
- Set a separate, hard-to-guess Screen Time passcode (and maybe write it down somewhere safe)
- Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions first, then set the content filters
- Use App Limits and Communication Limits so they’re not chatting with strangers at all hours
- Turn on Family Sharing so I can see what’s happening without grabbing their phone
Sorry if that’s obvious… but does changing the Apple ID password help too, or is Screen Time enough on its own?