How to Set Up Parental Controls on iPhone and Android

Slug: parental-controls-iphone-androidPillar: Technology > Online SafetyKeyword: parental controls iPhone AndroidExcerpt: Set up parental controls on iPhone and Android in minutes. Covers Screen Time, Family Link, content filters, app restrictions, and more for 2026.

Setting up parental controls on your child's phone takes less than 10 minutes and gives you meaningful control over what they can access, how long they can spend on it, and what they spend on apps. Both iPhone Screen Time and Android Google Family Link offer robust built-in tools — here is exactly how to use them.

Parental Controls on iPhone: Using Screen Time

Apple's Screen Time is built into every iPhone and iPad running iOS 12 and above. It lets you set content restrictions, app limits, communication limits, and downtime schedules — all protected by a separate passcode your child does not know.

How to Set Up Screen Time

Go to Settings, then Screen Time, then Turn On Screen Time. Tap "This is My Child's Device". Set a Screen Time passcode that is different from the device unlock passcode — this is crucial, otherwise your child can simply turn it off. Once enabled, explore Content and Privacy Restrictions to block adult websites and restrict app purchases; App Limits to set daily time limits per app category; Downtime to schedule periods when only certain apps are available; and Communication Limits to control who your child can call or text.

Family Sharing on iPhone

To manage your child's Screen Time from your own device, set up Family Sharing via Settings and your Apple ID. Once linked, you can view their usage reports, approve app download requests, and adjust limits remotely from your own phone.

Parental Controls on Android: Google Family Link

For Android devices, Google Family Link is the primary parental control tool. It works across most Android phones and offers similar features to Screen Time.

How to Set Up Family Link

Download the Google Family Link app on your own phone. On your child's Android phone, sign in with a Google account — you can create one during setup. Once linked, you manage their account from the Family Link app on your phone.

Key Family Link Features

Family Link offers app approvals for every download request, daily limits for device use, bedtime to remotely lock the device, SafeSearch to filter explicit results, location tracking to see their device's position in real time, and weekly activity reports showing which apps they used most.

Additional Safety Steps for Both Platforms

Parental controls are a safety net, not a substitute for conversation. Consider setting up YouTube Kids instead of standard YouTube for younger children, enabling SafeSearch on any browser, turning off in-app purchases, and reviewing privacy settings on any social media your child uses. Most platforms require users to be 13 to comply with data protection law.

What Parental Controls Cannot Do

No parental control blocks everything. Controls can be worked around with a second device or a friend's phone. Ongoing conversations about online safety are essential alongside any technical measures. The NSPCC and Internet Matters both offer free, age-specific online safety guidance for parents.

FAQ

At what age should I set up parental controls?

As soon as a child has any device. Controls are most critical for primary school age 5 to 11 and remain valuable through early secondary school.

Can my child turn off Screen Time or Family Link?

Not without the passcode. On iPhone, use a Screen Time passcode different from the unlock code. On Android, Family Link manages the child's entire Google account until they reach 13.