Apple Screen Time: Parental Controls

Last verified: April 2026. Platform settings may change — visit this page for the latest version.

Recommended for: All ages with Apple devices

What is Screen Time?

Screen Time is Apple's built-in tool for managing screen usage, limiting apps, and controlling content on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It lets you set daily time limits, block specific apps, filter web content, and manage who your child can communicate with — all from your own device.

What's new in 2025–2026

Apple expanded parental controls significantly with iOS 18 and iOS 26. Age ratings now cover five categories (4+, 9+, 13+, 16+, and 18+) instead of the previous three. Protections that previously applied only to children under 13 now extend to teens aged 13–17. Parents receive notifications when their Screen Time passcode is entered on a child's device. A new PermissionKit framework lets parents approve chat, follow, and friend requests in third-party apps. The child account setup process has been streamlined with safe defaults enabled from the start.

Initial setup

On your child's device, go to Settings > Screen Time.
Tap "Turn On Screen Time" and select "This is My Child's Device".
Set a Screen Time passcode that only you know (do not use the same code as the device unlock).
Enable Family Sharing so you can manage everything from your own device.
Set up Communication Limits to control who your child can call, text, and FaceTime.

Essential settings checklist

Downtime: Set screen-free hours (e.g., 9 PM to 7 AM)
App Limits: Set daily limits by category (social media, games, entertainment)
Content & Privacy Restrictions: Filter web content, apps, and purchases
Privacy: Control which apps can access location, camera, and microphone
App Blocking: With iOS 26, you can block apps entirely (not just limit time)
Contact Approval: Remotely approve new contacts for your child
Communication Limits: Restrict who can call, text, and FaceTime your child during allowed and downtime hours

Warning signs to watch for

Your child always has the Screen Time passcode — they may have guessed it
Time limits are constantly being overridden
You get no passcode entry notifications — check that they are enabled
New apps appear that you did not approve

Tip: Set up Screen Time from YOUR device using Family Sharing. This way you can manage everything without touching your child's phone.

Important: If your child knows the Screen Time passcode, they can disable all restrictions. Use a different code than the device unlock and enable passcode-entry notifications.

Apple's official Screen Time guide →

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