Apple is preparing a major child safety update that gives parents more control over what children can access, who they can contact, and when they can use apps across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
TL;DR
- Apple’s new child safety features will arrive this fall through iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 updates.
- Parents will get easier child account setup, Ask to Browse for Safari, Time Allowances, daily app schedules, and a redesigned Screen Time dashboard.
- Communication Safety will expand beyond nudity detection to intervene when gore or violent content appears in shared images or videos.
- Developers will get privacy-focused tools to build more age-appropriate app experiences without exposing a child’s birthday.
Apple Makes Child Accounts The Starting Point For Safer Digital Experiences
Apple is giving parents a more guided way to build age-appropriate digital spaces for children, beginning with child accounts.
The company says setting up a child account is the first major step for parents who want systemwide safeguards tailored to a child’s age. These accounts can limit adult websites, restrict media to age-appropriate content, and apply age-based controls in the App Store.
Parents are guided through creating a child account when setting up a new device for a child. Apple says the account is required for children under 13 and available for children up to 18.
The aim is simple: give families a safer foundation before children start using apps, browsing the web, or communicating online.
“At Apple, our mission has always been to create technology that empowers people and enriches their lives, while helping keep them safe,” said Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s VP of Health and Fitness. “Our approach to helping families create safer digital experiences is grounded in the belief that every child is unique.”
Apple Adds Ask To Browse And More App Control For Parents
Once a child account is active, parents can choose exactly which apps their children can access. Apple will let parents begin with only essential apps, use a curated set, or select apps they personally approve.
This gives parents a gradual path instead of opening the full app ecosystem at once. Over time, they can add more apps while still staying in control.
Apple’s existing Ask to Buy feature already lets parents approve App Store downloads and in-app purchases. The new Ask to Browse feature expands that idea to Safari, allowing parents to require permission before a child visits a new website.
The feature will work across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, making web access easier to manage across the Apple ecosystem.
Apple Expands Communication Safety Across Messages And FaceTime
Apple is also strengthening communication controls. Parents can manage who children connect with through Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, while children can be required to ask permission before adding a new contact.
Communication Safety, which already blurs nudity detected in Messages and FaceTime calls, remains turned on by default for users under 18. Apple says the feature will now also intervene when gore or violent content is detected in shared images or videos.
This positions Apple’s update as more than an app-limit tool. It also adds safeguards around the people and content children may encounter while using Apple services.
Apple Gives Parents Flexible Screen Time And App Scheduling Tools
Apple is introducing Time Allowances to give parents more flexible control over app usage across categories such as Entertainment, Games, and Social Media.
The company says parents will receive expert-research-based guidance tailored to a child’s age when setting these allowances. However, parents can adjust the settings based on what they decide is right for their child.
Daily Schedules will also let parents manage which apps children can access at different times of the day and week. This could help families limit distractions during school hours or protect focused time during meals, outdoor play, and other family moments.
The redesigned Screen Time experience will give parents an at-a-glance view of average device use and most-used apps. Parents can quickly limit or extend access when needed, including when a child needs a little extra time to finish something.
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Apple Leans On Expert Guidance And Developer Support
Apple says it has built these tools using guidance from clinical, child development, and online safety experts. It is also working with the American Academy of Pediatrics to adapt its Family Media Plan into a guide for parents using Apple products.
The company has also launched a dedicated website for parents featuring tools, resources, and answers to common questions.
Developers are being pulled into the effort too. Apple is offering tools such as SensitiveContentAnalysis and PermissionKit to help developers limit inappropriate content and enable parental approval for new in-app contacts.
Developers can also use the Declared Age Range API to request a child’s age range and tailor app experiences without sharing the child’s birthday.
Apple says the new child safety features will be available after installing the Screen Time update in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. Features are subject to change.
