How to use iPhone parental controls [in-built settings and third-party apps]

Apple offers a range of settings that allow adults to control the amount and quality of content their children consume, as well as ensure their safety when they are away from home. These settings include Screen Time, which offers various sections for in-depth control, Restrictions, and Family Sharing.

There are also multiple apps and third-party options that serve the same purpose professionally.

Ensuring children’s digital safety is a top priority for parents today. The recent studies have indicated that the statistics of modern cyberbullying are highly concerning. One in 6 teenagers reports facing harassment online. 59% of US teens experience online hatred, body shaming, and mental issues as a result. This alarming data highlights the importance of being in control and aware.

We have designed a full guide to make sure you and your close ones learn more about iPhone’s full security capacity in order to stay informed, safe, and connected.

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. We encourage parents and guardians to use parental controls and monitoring tools responsibly and transparently, with respect for their children’s privacy and personal development. These tools are meant to support safety, encourage healthy digital habits, and promote open communication, not to impose excessive control or surveillance. Always use such features in accordance with local laws and regulations regarding privacy and consent.

Method 1: Put Parental Controls on iPhone

The first method that should be considered is the parental control settings embedded in iPhones by default. You can use Screen Time to regulate these settings on your child’s phone and Family Sharing to unite the devices and handle them remotely. Let’s have a look at each of them:

Set Up Screen Time

The Screen Time feature focuses on time, communication, and content limits and restrictions for kids’ iPhones.

Limit Usage:

1. On your child’s iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time.
   
2. Tap App and Website Activity, then select Turn On App & Website Activity.
   
3. Thereafter, I saw new settings available:
   • Downtime: Schedule hours when apps and notifications are blocked.
   • App Limits: Set daily time limits for app categories like games or social media.
   • Always Allowed: Choose apps that will be allowed at all times and contacts allowed even during downtime.
   • Screen Distance: Apple will alert your child when they’re holding the phone too close and will allow usage only when the distance is safe for the eyes.

Note: Communication to known emergency numbers identified by your network provider is always allowed. Additionally, you can choose Specific Contacts or Everyone to be allowed for communication during downtime.

Manage Communication:

In the same Screen Time tab, choose Communication Limits or Communication Safety and make appropriate settings.

The first feature controls who your child can communicate with (Contacts Only, Contacts & Groups with at Least One Contact, or Everyone) via Messages, FaceTime, etc.

The other one detects nude photos and videos before they’re sent or viewed on your child’s device.

Note: Restrictions during allowed screen time and downtime are separated.

Set Restrictions:

Content & Privacy Restrictions block explicit content, in-app purchases, and changes to privacy settings.

Family Sharing Feature:

Note: Available only on iOS 17 or later.

Family Sharing allows you, as a parent, to remotely manage your child’s phone settings using your own device. To set it up, follow these steps on your device:

1. Open Settings, tap your name, and select Family. Press Continue.
   
   Note: Additionally, you can go to Screen Time, scroll down until you see Set Up Screen Time for Family, and proceed from there.
   
2. Next, select Create Child Account and enter their iCloud data.
   

Note: the same settings can be applied on a Mac. Open System Settings, tap your name, and continue in the Family tab.

After you’re done, you’ll be able to do all of the above-mentioned controls from your gadget, just within the Family tab.

Apart from the Screen Time feature, the Ask to Buy setting will be available to you, allowing you to turn on Require Purchase Approval.

From then on, you will be notified each time your child wants to install an app, and you will have to either approve or decline the request (upon your decision).

Furthermore, you’ll see kids’ Subscriptions and Purchases if Purchase Sharing is set.

Under Purchases, tap Apple Account & Password. Here, you can view and change the password for your child’s Apple account.

Still, in my opinion, the location sharing here is the most useful. Once set up, you can always see your child’s location through the Find My app. Enable Block Changes, and they won’t be able to stop sharing it.

Read our full Family Sharing review in the HeyLocate blog.  If you’re interested in more case-based help, visit Apple’s official website or contact Apple support.

Method 2: Use Third-Party Parental Control Apps for iPhone

If you’re looking for more advanced monitoring features, such as real-time GPS tracking, call and SMS monitoring, social media monitoring, or web filtering, third-party apps may be a good choice. While each app has its unique interface, the setup process is generally similar.

1. Choose and open your service, create an account, and choose the subscription plan.
   Note: We recognize that the parental control apps market is vast, and it’s easy to get lost in the options. It’s really difficult to select the right tool, especially when you have to pay for it. That’s why we made a list of the tested services to track kids’ iPhones. Check it to find the one that suits you. For example, we’ve chosen mSpy to show the process.
   
2. After subscribing, you will receive instructions for downloading and installing the app on your child’s device.
   
3. Grant necessary permissions, give required data, and set up monitoring rules.
4. Now you can monitor activity from your online dashboard and receive alerts via your email.
   

Try mSpy

! HeyLocate strongly recommends that you have an open discussion with your child about why you’re using the parental control app and adjust settings as your kid matures.

Method 3: Track the Child’s Location via SMS

If you just want to keep an eye on your child’s location or check in occasionally, you don’t need any complicated apps. There are 3 straightforward options that you can use:

Through iMessages:

1. Open the Messages app and select or start a chat with your child.
   
   Note: to start a chat, press the button in the top right corner and put your contact name in the To line or press “+” to select from your contact list.
   
2. Tap their name icon and select Request Location (with the new iOS update – just click the plus sign in the chat). The child will receive your request and must confirm it, then send their geoposition to you.
   

Here’s how it looks on an iPhone 13 Pro Max with iOS 26.0.1.

Now you will have access to the location of your child in your chat, anywhere, anytime.

Note: Make sure that Location Services are enabled on your kid’s phone. Get the device, open Settings, look for Privacy and Security, then view Location Services and check if it’s enabled.

Through Apple Maps:

Note: Both Google and Apple Maps don’t allow requesting location, only sharing. If you want to use these apps to track your child, teach them how to use this feature or enable it each time they leave the house.

1. Open the Maps app on your child’s device and scroll down to the Share My Location option.
2. Press it and choose your contact among the provided suggestions.

Again, from now on, you will see the place your child is currently at in your iMessage conversation or any messaging app you decide to share it in.

Through Google Maps:

1. Open Google Maps on your kid’s phone and press their profile icon.
2. Choose the Location sharing option, then press Share location.
   
3. Decide for how long you want to see the location, click More Options, go to Messages, and put your name in the To bar. Done!
   

Conclusion

Parental controls on the iPhone are essential for keeping your children safe while they use their devices. Thus, you can make sure that your children only access age-appropriate content and avoid unwanted activities.

Built-in iOS settings are only the first step, as they do not have all the features that third-party apps provide. These have additional features, such as social media and SMS monitoring, browsing history, call logs, and more. In addition to this, they offer a more precise location to be sure your child is out of harm’s way.

With these settings and services in place, you can give yourself peace of mind knowing that your child is using their device responsibly and is in a secure place.

“From personal experience, I would say that savvy kids can often find ways to bypass these controls. Thus, it is important to use these apps with other monitoring methods while talking to your child directly about their phone usage.”