Apple and Google both include real parental controls without extra software. They can manage screen time, app downloads, purchases, content filters, and location sharing when set up through the child’s account.
Does this affect you?
Use this for a child’s iPhone or Android phone when you want built-in controls through Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link.
Set up Screen Time on iPhone
This works best through Family Sharing from your own iPhone.
- On your iPhone, open Settings > your name > Family Sharing and add your child if needed.
- Open Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap your child’s name.
- Choose Turn On Screen Time and follow the prompts.
- Open Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it on.
- Use iTunes & App Store Purchases to require approval for downloads and in-app purchases.
- Use Content Restrictions to limit web content, apps, movies, music, and other media by age rating.
- Use App Limits and Downtime for daily category limits and bedtime-style lockouts.
- Use Communication Limits to control who your child can call or message.
- Set a Screen Time passcode that is different from the child’s device passcode.
Set up Google Family Link on Android
This uses a parent app and a child account.
- Install Google Family Link on your phone and choose the parent setup path.
- On the child’s Android phone, sign in with the child Google Account during setup or install the child Family Link app if needed.
- In the parent app, open Controls for the child.
- Use App activity to see installed apps and set restrictions.
- Use Screen time and Bedtime to set daily limits and lock schedules.
- Use Content restrictions for Google Search, Chrome, YouTube, and Google Play maturity settings.
- Require approval for new app downloads.
- Use Location if you want device location sharing.
More control
Explain the controls
Controls work better when children understand why they exist. Silent restrictions are more likely to become a fight or workaround.
Expect age changes
A 7-year-old and a 15-year-old need different limits. Revisit settings every few months.
Controls are not the whole plan
A determined teen can find another device or workaround. Pair settings with ongoing conversations about safety, privacy, and what to do when something feels wrong.
Sources
- Apple Support – Set up Screen Time for a family member (2025)
- Google Family Link Help Center – Set up Family Link for your child (2025)
- FTC Consumer Advice – Parental controls and kids online safety (2025)