Full Guide: How Parents Put Parental Controls on iPhone to Monitor Kids?

If you're a parent and your child owns an iPhone, you're probably familiar with the constant anxiety that comes with it. Who are they talking to? What are they browsing online? Are they spending too much time on their device?

However, by learning how to put parental control on iPhone, you can limit their access to certain apps, websites, and content, and even monitor their device usage and screen time. It may seem daunting, but we've got your back!

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of setting up parental controls on an iPhone in a friendly, easy-to-follow way. So let's get started!

Part 1. Monitor Child's iPhone without Them Knowing

In this method, we will show you a tool which helps you monitor your child's iPhone without knowing, protecting them behind. It is FoneWatcher Parental Control, an app that allows parents to gain control of iPhone activities of kids without jailbreak.

Implement parental controls invisibly

This app works anonymously without letting your children know. Once the app is installed, you will successfully monitor the target device, and all this work will be done secretly.

Sync data in real-time and check remotely

This app doesn't require the user to refresh it after moments as it's automatically syncing the data from kid's devices. You can remotely monitor and control all the data and activities on the target iPhone.

Access call logs, messages, and contacts

This tool will get you to access all the dialed numbers, received calls, send and receive messages on child's iPhone/iPad, including those deleted. Also, you will be able to get more information regarding a person by searching their contact in the contact list.

Monitor social media apps data such as WhatsApp, LINE, Viber, Kik, etc.

Kids are addicted to social media apps, and that's why it's essential to keep an eye on all their social media usage. This tool allows parents to monitor all the WhatsApp, Line, Viber, Kik and many other social media apps, including all the sent/received media and messages.

Check photos, videos, and voice memos

If you are worried about where your kid is and what kind of photos and videos they take, you can directly access their photos and videos from your computer, and this also includes voice memos.

See Safari history and bookmarks

Kids widely use the Internet for entertainment and educational purposes, but there are some drawbacks. This is why parents should monitor the browsing history of their kid's iPhone, and using this tool, browsing history and bookmarks of the Safari browser can easily be monitored.

How to Use FoneWatcher to Monitor Child's iPhone?

Step 1. Sign up for an account

First, you can register yourself using a working email and create an account. Once registered on the official website, now it's time to choose a plan according to your needs.

Step 2. Download the app on computer

Now it's time to get it into working by installing it on your computer where the target iPhone is often connected. Following the instructions provided on the screen.

Step 3. Start iPhone Parental Monitoring

Once all the setting is done, it's time to start iPhone parental monitoring using the FoneWatcher. Parents can even view the deleted files as well, and also the chat history for all apps and the internet browser history can be monitored.

Part 2. How to Turn on Screen Time on iPhone?

Screen Time is a feature (for iOS 12 or later) on the iPhone that allows you to monitor and control the amount of time you or your child spends on their device. With Screen Time, you can set limits on specific apps, schedule downtime, and even block inappropriate content.

To turn on Screen Time with parental controls on your iPhone, follow these simple steps:

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Tap "Turn On Screen Time."

Step 3. Choose "This is My iPhone" or "This is My Child's iPhone," depending on whose device it is.

Once you've completed these steps, you'll have successfully turned on Screen Time with parental controls on your iPhone. You can now monitor your child's device usage time and ensure that they're staying safe while using their device.

Part 3. How to Add A Screen Time Passcode?

Once you've turned on the screen time feature on your child's iPhone, there is a high chance that they may try to turn it off or make changes to the settings. That's where adding a Screen Time passcode comes in handy. By doing so, you'll prevent your child from disabling or changing the settings without your permission. To add a Screen Time passcode follow these steps:

Step 1. On your target iPhone, Go to "Settings" > "Screen Time". Tap to turn it on.

Step 2. Here you'll find the option "Use Screen Time Passcode". Tap on it.

Step 3. Choose a passcode that only you can remember and re-enter it to confirm.

Once you've done this, your child won't be able to make any changes to the Screen Time settings without your permission.

Part 4. How to Set Parental Controls on iPhone with Screen Time?

Setting up parental controls on an iPhone using Screen Time allows you to monitor your child's device usage, set limits and protect them from inappropriate content. There are two ways to do this: without family sharing, which requires physical access to the child's iPhone, and with family sharing, which can be done remotely from your own iPhone or iPad.

Set Up iPhone Parental Controls Not Using Family Sharing:

Step 1. Open "Settings" on your child's iPhone and tap "Screen Time".

Step 2. Turn on Screen Time and set a passcode.

Step 3. Customize settings such as Downtime and App Limits to suit your child's needs.

Using Family Sharing to Set Parental Controls on iPhone Remotely

When physical access to your child's iPhone isn't possible, setting up parental controls through family sharing is an excellent option. It enables parents to remotely monitor their child's device usage and screen time, all from their own iPhone or iPad. Plus, family sharing lets you establish shared payment methods and iCloud storage for the whole family, providing a handy means of managing family devices and accounts.

Step 1. Set up Family Sharing on your Apple devices.

Step 2. Add your child's Apple ID to your family group.

Step 3. On your own iPhone, go to "Settings" and tap on your name.

Step 4. Tap on "Family Sharing" and "Add Family Member."

Step 5. Enter your child's Apple ID email and send an invitation to join the family group.

Step 6. Once your child joins, use Screen Time to remotely set up parental controls, customize settings, and track device usage.

How to Set Up Downtime and App Limits for Kids on iPhone?

In addition, to set screen time limits, you can also control your child's access to apps and set up downtime on their iPhone. Here's how:

Step 1. Open Settings on your child's iPhone.

Step 2. Tap "Screen Time" and then "Downtime."

Step 3. Turn on the "Downtime" switch and set a schedule for when your child can use the device.

Step 4. To limit specific apps, tap "App Limits" and select "Add Limit."

Step 5. Choose the category of apps you want to limit or select "All Apps & Categories." Set a time limit for the apps and tap "Add."

How to Allow Communication Limits on Children's iPhones?

Setting limits on communication on your child's phone can help you prevent your child from dangerous people as they can communicate with trusted people only.

Step 1. To set up communication limits on your kid's iPhone, go to "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Contacts" and select "Add Contact".

Step 2. Choose the contacts you want to allow communication with.

Step 3. Toggle on "Allowed Communication" and choose the type of communication you want to allow, such as phone, FaceTime, or Messages.

Now your child will only be able to communicate with the contacts you've allowed. Any attempts to communicate with people outside of those contacts will be blocked.

How to Set Content & Privacy Restrictions?

Setting content and privacy restrictions on an iPhone is a useful way to protect your child from inappropriate content and limit their access to certain apps and features. To set up content and privacy restrictions, go to "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and? Toggle to turn it on. You can also set a passcode to restrict the settings, it'll be different from the screen time passcode.

• Read text messages, track location history, see searching history, view photos and videos, and check call history without knowing.
• Run in background, 100% hidden and undetectable.
• Remotely control target phone for capturing phone screenshots, recording phone calls and surroundings and phone screens, taking photos by their phone camera, and so on.
• Secretly monitor 10+ social media such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat to know all their activities online.
• Export and sync all data to your own device to keep them.

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How to Prevent iTunes and App Store Purchases?

If you want to prevent your child from making unauthorized purchases from the iTunes Store or App Store, you can use the content and privacy restrictions feature on your iPhone.

Step 1. To do so, open "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and tap on "iTunes & App Store Purchases".

Step 2. Here you will see four options: "Installing Apps", "Deleting Apps", "In-app Purchases", and "iTunes Store".

Step 3. Toggle off the options you want to disable.

This will prevent your child from downloading, purchasing, deleting any apps, making in-app purchases, or purchases from the iTunes Store without your permission. You can also choose to set a passcode for this feature so that only you can turn it off or modify the settings.

How to Turn on Ask to Buy?

Restricting your child from making purchases on the App Store may make them more prone to finding other ways to access the content they want, including engaging in illegal activities. However, turning on the "Ask to Buy" feature can allow them to make important purchases while still keeping control of their spending and online activity. To turn on Ask to Buy on parental control, Open "Settings" >?"Family Sharing" and tap on your child's name. Toggle?"Ask to Buy" to turn it on.

How to Approve or Decline An Ask to Buy Request?

Once you've turned on the Ask to Buy feature, you'll receive a notification when your child wants to make a purchase. This notification will give you the option to approve or decline the request.

Step 1. To approve or decline an Ask to Buy request on your iPhone, go to "Settings" > "Family Sharing" and click on your child's name.

Step 2. Under the "Ask to Buy" section, you'll see a list of pending requests. Tap on the request you want to approve or decline.

Step 3. Review the details of the purchase and click on "Approve" or “Decline” to complete the request.

If you approve the request, the purchase will be charged to your payment method, and your child will receive a notification that the purchase has been approved.

How to Restrict Web Content?

Restricting web content is an essential part of setting up parental controls on an iPhone. By doing so, you can prevent your child from accessing inappropriate websites and content. To do so open "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Content & Privacy Restrictions" > "Content Restrictions" > "Web Content".

Choose from the following options:

Limit Adult Websites: block all websites that are considered to be adult content.

Allowed Websites Only: provide access to websites that you have added to the "Only Allow These Websites" section.

Specific Websites Only: manually enter the URLs of specific websites that you want to allow access to.

You can also choose to add websites to the "Never Allow" section to ensure that your child never has access to them.

How to Restrict Game Center?

If your child is spending too much time on games instead of studying or engaging in other productive activities, you can limit their access to Game Center, Apple's social gaming network.

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and click on "Game Center".

Step 2. Choose "Don't Allow Apps" to disable Game Center altogether, or select "Allowed Apps Only" to limit access to specific games.

Step 3. If you chose "Allowed Apps Only," select which games your child is allowed to play.

Part 5. How to See Screen Time Report?

Now that you have set up parental controls on your child's iPhone, it's important to check their activity and make sure they are using their device safely and responsibly. To do so, open your child's iPhone and go to "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "See All Activity".

Here, you can see a detailed report of your child's iPhone activity, including app usage, app categories, pickups, and notifications. You can also tap on any of the categories to see more information and adjust the settings accordingly.

However, if you have Family Sharing set up, you can see your child's Screen Time report from your own iPhone. For this open the Settings app on your iPhone and click on your Apple ID >? "Family Sharing" > your child's name > "Screen Time" and tap on "See All Activity".

Conclusion

Setting up parental controls on an iPhone is an effective way to monitor and control your child's device usage, keeping them safe and protected from inappropriate content. Adding a Screen Time passcode further ensures that children cannot disable or change settings without permission. Above is a complete guide on how to set up parental controls on iPhone, so parental controls for iPhone to keep your child's cellular use in control.