iOS 27 Adds More Screen Time and Parental Controls for Kids

Apple is giving parents more control over their children's digital habits with the release of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27.

The latest updates introduce a broader set of parental controls covering everything from websites and apps to communication, screen time, and potentially sensitive content. Most of these features are built around Apple's Child Accounts, which are designed for children under 13, or the applicable minimum age in their region, and can be used for children up to 18.

More Control Over Apps, Websites, and Content

Apple has made setting up a Child Account simpler in iOS 27. Parents can choose a basic selection of essential apps, use Apple's recommended starter setup, or decide exactly which Apple apps their child can access.

Once the account is configured, parents can control access to individual apps and websites and apply age restrictions to movies, TV shows, music, books, and other content.

One of the more useful additions is Ask to Browse. Children can request access to a website that has been blocked in Safari, while parents can approve or deny the request directly through Messages. It works in a similar way to Apple's existing Ask to Buy system for app downloads and purchases.

Parents can also require approval before children communicate with new contacts.

Screen Time Gets More Flexible

Screen Time is getting a broader redesign as part of the update.

Parents can establish daily limits for categories such as Games, Entertainment, and Social Media, either individually or with shared limits. They can also create schedules that determine when certain apps are available, with different schedules for different days of the week.

The redesigned Screen Time experience also makes it easier to view weekly usage information and identify a child's most-used apps. Parents can temporarily pause device access, restore it for a limited period, and switch between schedules more easily.

Apple says the new architecture is designed to make parental control changes synchronize more quickly across devices belonging to the same Family Sharing group.

Communication Safety Expands to Violent Content

Apple is also expanding Communication Safety beyond its existing protections around nudity.

The feature can now detect potentially graphic or violent content in shared images and videos. When detected, the content can be blocked while the child receives a warning and additional resources.

Time Allowances are becoming more customizable as well. Parents can create their own app categories, move apps between categories, and assign an allowance when approving a new application through Ask to Buy. Websites associated with an app can also follow the same time limit.

Apple says its suggested allowances are informed by a child's age and expert research and that it is working with the American Academy of Pediatrics on guidance based on its Family Media Plan.

Moving Data Between Family Devices

Managing a family's devices often involves more than screen time settings. Parents may also need to move photos, contacts, messages, and other files when children receive a new phone or switch between devices.

Smart Transfer can help simplify that process by letting users copy my phone data between compatible devices. Its tools are designed for situations where you need to move selected content without manually handling every file.

It can also be useful when sharing files between devices in different locations. An anywhere file transfer option can make moving important content more convenient, while users dealing with specific apps and data can use Smart Transfer for tasks such as WhatsApp backup transfer when setting up another device.

iOS 27 Puts More Controls in Parents' Hands

The latest Apple updates give parents more ways to shape how children use their devices without relying on a single screen time limit.

From website approvals and contact requests to custom schedules, app allowances, and expanded safety protections, the new tools cover several parts of a child's digital experience.

Apple notes that devices in a Family Sharing group need to be updated to the relevant version 27 software releases to take full advantage of the new Screen Time experience.