iOS Child Device
Setup Guide
1
Before you start, make sure you have:
Your own iPhone or iPad with the latest iOS version.
Your child’s device (reset or new).
An Apple ID for you and one for your child (created through Family Sharing in Step 1).
Your Apple ID password handy for approvals.
Family Sharing connects your family’s Apple IDs so you can manage your child’s device remotely.
How to set up:
Go to Settings → [your name] → Family Sharing.
Tap Add Member → Create Child Account and follow the prompts.
Choose your child’s age.
Agree to Apple Family Privacy Disclosure and Terms & Conditions
Once set up, you can manage Screen Time, app purchases, and permissions from your phone.
Create Child Account
Before you start, make sure you have:
Your own iPhone or iPad with the latest iOS version.
Your child’s device (reset or new).
An Apple ID for you and one for your child (created through Family Sharing in Step 1).
Your Apple ID password handy for approvals.
Family Sharing connects your family’s Apple IDs so you can manage your child’s device remotely.
How to set up:
Go to Settings → [your name] → Family Sharing.
Tap Add Member → Create Child Account and follow the prompts.
Choose your child’s age.
Agree to Apple Family Privacy Disclosure and Terms & Conditions
Once set up, you can manage Screen Time, app purchases, and permissions from your phone.
Mark as done
2
This introductory screen explains what Apple’s parental controls will manage:
• Communication
• App usage
• Web browsing
• Purchases
• Privacy & safety features
Tap Continue to begin configuring protections.
Parental Controls Introduction
This introductory screen explains what Apple’s parental controls will manage:
• Communication
• App usage
• Web browsing
• Purchases
• Privacy & safety features
Tap Continue to begin configuring protections.
Mark as done
3
This screen allows you to set automatic age-appropriate restrictions for:
• Apps
• Websites
• Movies & TV ratings
• Music/Books (explicit content)
Recommended for ages 6–10:
• Apps: 9+ or 12+
• Web Content: Limit Adult Websites
• Movies: PG or PG-13
• TV: PG
• Music/Books: Explicit Off
Tap Continue.
Content Restrictions & Age Settings
This screen allows you to set automatic age-appropriate restrictions for:
• Apps
• Websites
• Movies & TV ratings
• Music/Books (explicit content)
Recommended for ages 6–10:
• Apps: 9+ or 12+
• Web Content: Limit Adult Websites
• Movies: PG or PG-13
• TV: PG
• Music/Books: Explicit Off
Tap Continue.
Mark as done
4
iOS can automatically detect when your child tries to send or receive content containing nudity.
If detected, the device will:
Blur the image
Show a warning
Offer supportive guidance for safer choices
Turn Check for Sensitive Photos ON.
Apple does not see or store these images — analysis happens on-device only.
Tap Continue to enable Communication Safety.
Communication Safety (Sensitive Photos & Videos)
iOS can automatically detect when your child tries to send or receive content containing nudity.
If detected, the device will:
Blur the image
Show a warning
Offer supportive guidance for safer choices
Turn Check for Sensitive Photos ON.
Apple does not see or store these images — analysis happens on-device only.
Tap Continue to enable Communication Safety.
Mark as done
5
Choose who your child can talk to in Messages, FaceTime, and compatible apps.
Recommended:
Manage Contacts
• Only allow communication with contacts you approve
• Child may request to message a new contact, but you must approve
Avoid choosing Any Contact unless the child is older and ready.
Tap Turn On Communication Limits.
Communication Limits
Choose who your child can talk to in Messages, FaceTime, and compatible apps.
Recommended:
Manage Contacts
• Only allow communication with contacts you approve
• Child may request to message a new contact, but you must approve
Avoid choosing Any Contact unless the child is older and ready.
Tap Turn On Communication Limits.
Mark as done
6
This screen explains the three core features of Screen Time:
Screen Time Insights – weekly reports on activity
Scheduled Downtime – enforced “off-screen” periods
Downtime helps create healthy routines. During Downtime, only apps you allow (e.g., Phone, Messages, Liaura) will work.
For ages 6–10, a common starting schedule might be:
Start: 21:00
End: 08:00
Adjust as needed, then tap Turn On Downtime.
App Limits – set daily limits for apps or app categories
Set your Screen Time preferences. Tap Continue to proceed. (you can view live usage data and update these any time later in:
Settings → Family → Child Name → Screen Time
Screen Time Overview
This screen explains the three core features of Screen Time:
Screen Time Insights – weekly reports on activity
Scheduled Downtime – enforced “off-screen” periods
Downtime helps create healthy routines. During Downtime, only apps you allow (e.g., Phone, Messages, Liaura) will work.
For ages 6–10, a common starting schedule might be:
Start: 21:00
End: 08:00
Adjust as needed, then tap Turn On Downtime.
App Limits – set daily limits for apps or app categories
Set your Screen Time preferences. Tap Continue to proceed. (you can view live usage data and update these any time later in:
Settings → Family → Child Name → Screen Time
Mark as done
7
Apple’s “Screen Distance” uses the TrueDepth camera to remind children not to hold the device too close.
Steps:
Go to:
Settings → Screen Time → Screen Distance → On
This improves posture, prevents eye strain, and builds healthy habits.
Enable Screen Distance (Prevent Eye Strain)
Apple’s “Screen Distance” uses the TrueDepth camera to remind children not to hold the device too close.
Steps:
Go to:
Settings → Screen Time → Screen Distance → On
This improves posture, prevents eye strain, and builds healthy habits.
Mark as done
8
This ensures every app download or purchase requires your approval.
Steps:
Go to:
Settings → Family → [Child’s Name] → Ask to Buy → On
You will receive prompts on your device to approve or deny app downloads or in-app purchases.
Enable “Ask to Buy” (App Download Approvals)
This ensures every app download or purchase requires your approval.
Steps:
Go to:
Settings → Family → [Child’s Name] → Ask to Buy → On
You will receive prompts on your device to approve or deny app downloads or in-app purchases.
Mark as done
9
Set a Parental Controls Passcode — this is essential.
It prevents your child from turning off restrictions or changing settings.
Tips:
Choose a passcode different from the device PIN
Do not share this code with your child
Store it in a password manager or write it somewhere safe
Lock Parental Controls (Create Passcode)
Set a Parental Controls Passcode — this is essential.
It prevents your child from turning off restrictions or changing settings.
Tips:
Choose a passcode different from the device PIN
Do not share this code with your child
Store it in a password manager or write it somewhere safe
Mark as done
10
This final setup step ensures your child’s device participates in Find My Family.
Enabling location sharing allows you to:
See where your child’s device is
Help locate a lost or stolen device
Automatically apply Family Sharing safety tools
Tap Share with Family or Skip (you can enable it later).
Share Location with Family
This final setup step ensures your child’s device participates in Find My Family.
Enabling location sharing allows you to:
See where your child’s device is
Help locate a lost or stolen device
Automatically apply Family Sharing safety tools
Tap Share with Family or Skip (you can enable it later).
Mark as done
11
Only complete this step if the child's device is new or has been reset.
When turning on the device:
Bring your iPhone and the child’s iPhone/iPad close together.
A “Set Up New Device” prompt should appear on your device—follow it.
When asked who the device is for, select “For a Child” (if shown).
Sign in using the child’s Apple ID created via Family Sharing.
Agree to the setup prompts, including Location Services, Siri and App Store setup.
This ensures the device is correctly linked to your Family Sharing group and will apply your safety settings to the new device.
(Optional) Set Up Device
Only complete this step if the child's device is new or has been reset.
When turning on the device:
Bring your iPhone and the child’s iPhone/iPad close together.
A “Set Up New Device” prompt should appear on your device—follow it.
When asked who the device is for, select “For a Child” (if shown).
Sign in using the child’s Apple ID created via Family Sharing.
Agree to the setup prompts, including Location Services, Siri and App Store setup.
This ensures the device is correctly linked to your Family Sharing group and will apply your safety settings to the new device.
Mark as done
