Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 5
    Safety & Privacy
    Beginner
    2 min read 5 stepsApril 17, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Set Up Screen Time on iPhone for Kids

    Limit your child's daily app usage, block inappropriate content, and see exactly what they do on their iPhone — all free from Apple.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Set up Family Sharing first
    2. 2.Open Screen Time on the parent phone
    3. 3.Set Downtime and App Limits
    4. 4.Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions
    5. 5.Set a Screen Time passcode
    1

    Set up Family Sharing first

    ~15s
    Screen Time for kids only works if the child is part of your Apple Family Sharing group. If you have not set that up, do that before continuing — see the Family Sharing guide.
    2

    Open Screen Time on the parent phone

    ~15s
    Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then scroll down and tap your child's name under Family. Tap Turn On Screen Time.
    3

    Set Downtime and App Limits

    ~15s
    Tap Downtime to block all apps during specific hours (for example, 9 PM to 7 AM). Tap App Limits to set daily minutes for categories like Games or Social.
    4

    Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions

    ~15s
    Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and flip it on. Pick Content Restrictions to block adult websites, mature movies, and explicit music.
    5

    Set a Screen Time passcode

    ~15s
    Tap Change Screen Time Passcode and pick a four-digit code that your child does not know. Without it, they cannot change the limits you set.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Set Up Screen Time on iPhone for Kids

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Screen Time is Apple's free parental-control system. On a family-shared iPhone, you can see how much time your child spends in each app, block apps during homework or bedtime, and stop them from buying apps without your permission.

    You set it up through Family Sharing — the parent sends a request from their own phone to the child's phone. A four-digit passcode (different from the phone passcode) protects the settings so the child cannot change them.

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    Screen Time
    iPhone
    parental controls
    kids
    Apple

    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Use the Windows Magnifier

    Next →

    How to Set Up Parental Controls on Android

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    Our verified technicians can fix this issue for you — remotely or in person.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Related Guides

    How to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network

    Simple steps to lock down your home router, keep strangers off your network, and protect every device in your house.

    3 min read

    Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on Any Account

    Add a second layer of security to your most important accounts. This one change stops most account takeovers cold.

    3 min read

    Staying Safe on Social Media

    How to protect your privacy on Facebook and Instagram, spot fake accounts, and avoid the most common social media traps.

    3 min read

    How to Set Up Screen Time on iPhone for Kids — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure