How to set up parental controls on iPhone?

When a child gets an iPhone, parents are generally worried about the screen time, inappropriate content, and unauthorised purchases. To set up the paternal control, Apple offers the built-in Screen Time features, it helps you control your child's app usage and website access.

In this guide, I will explain the methods to set up parental control on an iPhone. For those using other Apple ecosystem devices, you might also want to learn how to setup eSIM on Apple Watch to keep your child connected safely. Moreover, you can restrict the child's iPhone and block unwanted apps.

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What Screen Time Controls Can Do for Your Child's iPhone?

Apple offers the free Screen Control with robust parental features. These features let you manage the screen of your child’s phone. Similarly, you can set the schedule downtime, set app limits, restrict content, and limit communication.

The latest iPhone lets you set up alerts for inappropriate content in photos and videos.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Parental Controls on iPhone?

The following are the steps you can follow to enable parental control on your child's iPhone.

Step 1: Turn On Screen Time

Here is how you can restrict your kid’s iPhone.

Open your child’s iPhone settings.
Scroll down to tap Screen Time.
Enable the Screen Time and click to Continue.
Here, select the option This is my child’s iPhone, not mine.

Selecting your child’s phone will unlock the parental features in the settings.

Step 2: Create Your Screen Time Passcode

Setting the passcode prevents your kid from changing the restriction on the phone.

Click the Use Screen Time Passcode.
Set the secret 4-digit passcode.
Add your Apple ID and password for recovery.

Step 3: Set Downtime to Block Apps During Specific Hours

Setting downtime blocks the apps during set times like bedtime, homework and dinner. Here is how you can set the downtime to block apps.

Open the Settings in iPhone and scroll to Screen Time.
Click the Downtime to enable it and set the schedule.
Choose Every Day or Customise Days for weekends.

During downtime, only Phone and messages will remain accessible. All other apps, like social media and gaming apps, will require your passcode to use.

Step 4: Configure App Limits to Control Daily Usage

You can set app limits on how long your kid can use a single app each day. Here are the steps you can follow to do that.

In the Screen Time section, tap App Limits.
Select categories (Social, Games, Entertainment).
You can choose the specific apps to set the time limit.
Now click the Next button and set the daily time allowance.
Click Add to confirm it.

While using the iPhone, your child receives a warning before the time ends. If the time exceeds, the app greys out.

Step 5: Manage Communication Limits

For parental control, you can manage the communication of your kid, whether using the Phone app, Facetime or Messages.

Open the Screen Time in Settings.
Click the Communication Limits.
In Screen Time, select Contacts Only.
During Downtime, select the Specific Contacts.
Add family members to the allowed contacts.

Whether you set the phone usage control, emergency calls always work.

Step 6: Block Inappropriate Content and Websites

Apple generally blocks known adult sites. But you can set the age-appropriate content and filter the websites.

Open the Settings app on iPhone and click the ScreenTime.
Tap to enable the Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Set the four-digit ScreenTime Passcode.
Click the Content Restrictions, then Web Content.
Now choose the Restriction Level for the websites to filter content.

Stop the eSIM Workaround: Prevent Cellular Plan Changes

eSIM technology is the most significant vulnerability in iPhone parental controls. Tech-savvy teens try to bypass the Screen Time restriction by adding the new eSIM cellular plan. This method creates a fresh profile that has no parental restrictions.

An eSIM card is a digital SIM integrated into the latest iPhones. The iPhone XS and newer models allow adding digital cellular plans without a physical SIM.

It is a travel-friendly SIM that helps users enjoy a flexible network connection without data roaming charges. Selecting a reliable eSIM carrier like eSIMCard lets you enjoy the connectivity seamlessly.

When a teens add the new eSIM in an iPhone from the other carrier, it removes the app limitations, Downtime schedules, and content restrictions. The perfect solution to avoid this situation is to block the eSIM workaround.

Block eSIM workaround

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Screen Time.
Enter the Screen Time passcode.
Click to enable the Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Scroll to look for the Cellular Plan Changes.
Tap it and select Don't Allow.

These settings prevent your child from adding new eSIM plans. It will prevent removing existing plans or switching between carriers.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While setting up the parental control on an iPhone, you may encounter issues, like forget passcode, or the restriction failed. In such a case, you can go through the given troubleshooting. In some cases, if you notice your cellular data or eSIM not working properly after setting restrictions, you should verify your network settings.

Forgot Screen Time Passcode: Open Settings and navigate to Screen Time. Click Change Screen Time Passcode and then Forgot Passcode. Now Enter your Apple ID to get the new passcode. If all recovery methods fail, you might need to factory reset your iPhone, but ensure you have a backup first.
Restrictions not working: Go to Settings and tap Screen Time. Select Always Allowed and remove apps that shouldn't be accessible in Downtime.
Family Sharing not syncing: Sign out and back into iCloud on both of your iPhones. Ensure internet connection for syncing.

Best Practices for iPhone Parental Controls

Here are the practices you should follow for iPhone parental control.

Have the conversation with your kid and explain the reason for setting the control.
Tell the kids it's a safety, not a punishment.
Set the restriction according to the age limit.
- 6-10 years: 1-2 hours daily
- 11-13 years: 2-3 hours daily
- 14-17 years: Flexible limits

Conclusion

Setting up parental control on an iPhone helps to restrict screen time, inappropriate content, and unauthorised purchases. It just takes 10 to 15 minutes to set this layer of protection. In the article, I have discussed the different methods to monitor your kid’s phone activity remotely.

You can use the iPhone in-build features such as enabling screen time, setting the passcode, setting downtime to block apps and limiting communication. If you encounter any issues, follow the troubleshooting steps.

FAQs

Can you set parental controls on an iPhone without your child knowing?

Yes, you can set the Screen Time or the Family Sharing to manage restrictions remotely. However, the ideal way is to have a conversation with your kid about the device rules for trust building.

How do I stop my child from deleting apps on their iPhone?

Open the Settings app and navigate to ScreenTime. Enter your Passcode and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. Now move to iTunes & App Store Purchases and Deleting Apps. Select the Don't Allow option to stop the app from deleting.

How do I monitor my child's iPhone activity remotely?

You can use the Family Sharing feature to monitor your kid’s phone activity. Open Settings, click your name and then Family Sharing. Now add the family member and enable the ScreenTime.