How to Set Up Parental Controls on iPhone (2025 Guide)
The iPhone includes one of the most powerful built-in parental control systems available today. Apple’s Screen Time tools (available on all iPhones and iPads) allow parents to limit screen time, block inappropriate content, manage app usage, restrict communication, and monitor location.
This 2025 guide walks you through step-by-step how to activate and configure parental controls on any iPhone — plus how to enhance these tools using third-party apps such as Eyezy and mSpy.
📱 What You Need Before Setting Up Parental Controls
- The child’s iPhone (iOS 14–17 supported)
- Your own iPhone or iPad (optional but recommended)
- Your Apple ID
- Family Sharing enabled (optional but useful)
Optional: If you want deeper monitoring, install Eyezy or mSpy after activating Screen Time.
🛠 Step 1: Open Screen Time
On the child’s iPhone:
- Open Settings
- Tap Screen Time
- Tap Turn On Screen Time
You will now see the main dashboard for all parental restrictions.
🛠 Step 2: Set a Screen Time Passcode
This prevents your child from bypassing restrictions.
Inside Screen Time:
- Tap Use Screen Time Passcode
- Create a 4-digit code
- Enter your Apple ID for recovery
Never share this passcode with your child.
🛠 Step 3: Set “Downtime” (Bedtime Phone Schedule)
Downtime blocks apps during your chosen schedule (e.g., 21:00–07:00).
- Go to Settings → Screen Time → Downtime
- Enable Downtime
- Select start & end time
Your child will only be able to use allowed apps during this period.
🛠 Step 4: Set App Limits
You can limit categories like:
- Social Networking
- Games
- Entertainment
- Messaging apps
- Go to Screen Time → App Limits
- Tap Add Limit
- Select app categories
- Choose daily time limits
Perfect for reducing social media addiction.
🛠 Step 5: Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions
This is the most important safety section for blocking inappropriate or harmful content.
- Go to Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Turn ON Content & Privacy Restrictions
Recommended Restrictions
- iTunes & App Store Purchases → Don’t Allow
- Content Restrictions → Limit Adult Websites
- Music, Books, Podcasts → Clean Only
- Movies → Set age rating
- Apps → 12+ or 9+
- Location Services → Allowed, but limited changes
This blocks pornography, explicit content, adult apps, unsafe websites, and purchases.
🛠 Step 6: Restrict Communication
You can choose who your child is allowed to communicate with during:
- Screen Time
- Downtime
- Go to Screen Time → Communication Limits
- Choose Contacts Only or Specific Contacts
This prevents unsafe calls, texts, or FaceTime conversations.
🛠 Step 7: Enable Location Sharing
For safety, it’s important to know where your child is at all times.
- Go to Settings → Family → Your Child → Share Location
- Select Share My Location
You can now see the child’s location in the Find My app.
🛠 Step 8: Hide Explicit Content in Safari
- Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Tap Content Restrictions
- Tap Web Content → Limit Adult Websites
You can also add specific blocked websites here.
🛠 Step 9: Prevent App Deletion
Children often delete apps to bypass limits. Block this here:
- Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases
- Select Deleting Apps → Don’t Allow
🛠 Step 10: Use Third-Party Parental Monitoring Apps (For Extra Safety)
Apple’s parental controls are strong, but limited. They do NOT show:
- Social media messages
- Deleted messages
- Detailed browsing history
- Screenshots of activity
- Keyword alerts
For deeper monitoring, use one of these:
⭐ Eyezy (Best for Non-Tech Parents)
Eyezy offers:
- App activity reports
- Screen recording
- Keyword alerts
- Web filtering
- Location tracking
⭐ mSpy (Best for Social Media Monitoring)
mSpy can monitor:
- Snapchat
- Telegram
- SMS & deleted messages
Both apps work with iPhone via iCloud (no jailbreak required).
Related Articles
- Safest Parental Apps for Kids Under 13
- Best Parental Apps for YouTube & TikTok
- Top Parental Control Apps 2025
- Eyezy for iPhone – Full Review
- How to Limit Screen Time Automatically
Conclusion
Setting up parental controls on an iPhone is easier than most parents think — and Apple’s Screen Time system already blocks most dangerous content. However, if you want deeper visibility into your child’s social media activity or online behavior, third-party tools like Eyezy or mSpy fill the gaps Apple doesn’t cover.
For deeper parental monitoring, try:
FAQ: Parental Controls on iPhone (2025)
Can I set up parental controls without Apple Family Sharing?
Yes. You can set restrictions directly on the child’s device using Screen Time.
Do I need my child’s Apple ID / password?
No for basic Screen Time. Yes for remote monitoring via iCloud (Eyezy/mSpy).
Can I block social media apps on iPhone?
Yes. You can block apps by age rating, schedule, or time limits.
Will parental controls work on iPads too?
Yes. Screen Time works exactly the same on iPads.
Can I monitor messages on iPhone?
Apple does not allow message monitoring through Screen Time. You need a third-party tool like mSpy for message tracking.