How to set up an iPhone for a child
Set up Family Sharing first — it lets you create a child account with automatic approval for app downloads, screen time limits, and location sharing. Then turn on Screen Time to set daily time limits by app category. This protects them without turning off the phone completely.
An iPhone for a child needs layers of protection: a dedicated child Apple ID, parental controls through Family Sharing, daily screen time limits, and blocked access to adult content. Setting this up before handing over the phone takes 20 minutes and gives you full visibility into what your child can download, how long they use it, and where they are. You stay in control, and your child gets a phone that's safe and age-appropriate.
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Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to create a child account directly on the iPhone settings instead of using Family Sharing — this doesn't set up parental controls
- Setting too many restrictions too quickly — start with Downtime and app limits, add more if you need to
- Forgetting to set a Screen Time passcode — the child can change all your settings without it
- Not turning on purchase approval — the child can download expensive games and make in-app purchases
Signs you need professional help
- Family Sharing won't let you create a child account — you probably need to update iOS first
- You forgot the Screen Time passcode and need to reset it
- The approval request for app downloads isn't working
- You set up parental controls but the child found a way around them
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