Setting up Apple Family Controls involves leveraging Apple's Family Sharing feature to manage various aspects of your family members' Apple devices and services, especially for children. This includes parental controls like Screen Time, Ask to Buy for purchases, shared subscriptions, and location sharing.
Step 1: Set Up Apple Family Sharing (The Foundation)
Apple Family Controls are built upon Family Sharing. If you haven't already, you'll need to set up a Family Group. One adult, the "family organizer," invites up to five other family members to join.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on your name at the top.
- Tap Family Sharing.
- Tap Set Up Your Family.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your family group and invite members. You can invite family members from your contacts or create an Apple ID for a child.
On Mac:
- Open System Settings (macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (macOS Monterey or earlier).
- Click Family (or Family Sharing in older macOS versions).
- Click Set Up Family and follow the prompts to create your family group and invite members.
Step 2: Add Family Members and Configure Roles
Once Family Sharing is set up, you can add members and assign roles:
- Organizer: The adult who sets up the Family Group. Can invite/remove members, manage settings, and receives bills.
- Parent/Guardian: Adults in the family group who can manage parental controls (like Screen Time) for children.
- Adult: Other adult family members who can share purchases and subscriptions.
- Child: Members under 13 (age may vary by region) who require parental consent for purchases and content restrictions.
To add a family member:
- From the Family section in Settings (iOS/iPadOS) or System Settings (macOS), tap Add Member.
- You can either:
- Invite People: Send an invitation to an existing Apple ID.
- Create an Account for a Child: Set up a new Apple ID specifically for a child. This automatically enables features like Ask to Buy and Screen Time.
Step 3: Configure Parental Controls with Screen Time
Screen Time is the primary tool for setting up comprehensive family controls for children or even other family members.
- Open the Settings app (or System Settings on Mac).
- Tap Family.
- Tap on the name of the family member for whom you want to set controls.
- Tap Screen Time. If it's not already enabled for this family member, you may need to tap "Turn on Screen Time."
Within Screen Time, you can set various controls:
- Downtime: Schedule time away from the screen, with only essential apps and phone calls allowed.
- App Limits: Set daily time limits for specific app categories (e.g., social networking, games) or individual apps.
- Communication Limits: Manage who your child can communicate with during Screen Time and Downtime.
- Content & Privacy Restrictions:
- iTunes & App Store Purchases: Control new app installs, app deletions, and in-app purchases.
- Allowed Apps: Restrict access to built-in apps (e.g., Mail, Safari, Camera).
- Content Restrictions: Filter web content, restrict music, movies, TV shows, and apps based on age ratings.
- Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content: Control explicit content, web search content, and multiplayer games.
- Privacy: Manage privacy settings for location services, contacts, photos, and more.
- Allow Changes: Prevent changes to Passcode, Account, Cellular Data, and Volume Limit settings.
- Always Allowed: Select apps that are always available, even during Downtime.
- Block at Downtime: Choose to block or allow during scheduled Downtime.
Step 4: Enable Ask to Buy
Ask to Buy ensures that children (and often teens, if enabled) get parental approval before making purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple Books, including in-app purchases and free downloads.
- Open the Settings app (or System Settings on Mac).
- Tap Family.
- Tap on the child's name.
- Tap Ask to Buy.
- Toggle Ask to Buy to the "On" position.
When Ask to Buy is enabled, an alert will be sent to the family organizer (or another parent/guardian) for approval before any purchase or download is completed.
Understanding Family Roles and Permissions
Within your Family Group, different roles have different permissions. The organizer can always manage settings for all family members. Parents/Guardians can also manage Screen Time and Ask to Buy requests for children.
To see the adults who can set parental controls for you and who get your Screen Time and Ask To Buy requests, open the Settings app (or System Settings on Mac), tap Family, then tap your name, and then tap Parent/Guardian. This view shows you which family members have the authority to manage these critical controls.
Key Features of Apple Family Controls
| Feature | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Family Sharing | Shares Apple subscriptions (iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, etc.) and App Store purchases with up to five other family members. | Cost savings, easy access to content for all. |
| Screen Time | Manages device usage, sets app limits, restricts content, and controls communication for individual family members. | Promotes healthy digital habits, protects children from inappropriate content. |
| Ask to Buy | Requires parental approval for App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple Books purchases (including free downloads and in-app purchases). | Prevents unauthorized spending, teaches financial responsibility. |
| Location Sharing | Allows family members to automatically share their location with each other in Find My. | Enhances safety and peace of mind, helps locate lost devices. |
| Shared Photo Library | A single shared photo library that all family members can contribute to and view. | Organizes family memories in one central place. |
By setting up Apple Family Controls, you gain powerful tools to manage your family's digital experience, promote healthy device habits, and ensure a safer online environment for everyone.
