How to Set Up iPhone for Your Child in 2025: Complete Parental Guide

Giving your child their first iPhone is a big milestone. In 2025, kids are getting smartphones earlier than ever, with studies showing that over 50% of children in the US now own a smartphone by age 11.

Even though iPhones open doors to learning, and creativity, they also come with risks like screen addiction, inappropriate content, and online strangers. As a parent, your top priority is making sure your child stays safe while still enjoying the benefits of technology.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to set up an iPhone for kids the right way.

Part 1. Initial Preparation Before Giving Your Child an iPhone

Before you hand over that shiny new iPhone to your child, there are a few important things you should do first. It’s never a good idea to just give them the phone without setting some ground rules and protections in place.

You should first make sure you set up Family Sharing, which gives you control over things like screen time, app downloads, and more. You’ll also want to turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions to block inappropriate content and limit who your child can communicate with.

Don’t forget to enable Find My iPhone so you can keep track of their location—it adds peace of mind for both of you. You can also use third-party monitoring apps like Msafely to keep track of your kid’s phone activities.

In the next sections, we’ll walk you through exactly how to do all this step-by-step.

Part 2. How to Set Up iPhone for Your Child – Step-by-Step

Now that you’ve done the initial prep, it’s time to actually set up your child’s iPhone. Don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Just follow these simple steps to make sure everything is secure, age-appropriate, and tailored to your child’s needs.

Step 1: Create a child Apple ID and set up Family Sharing

Before anything else, you’ll need to create an Apple ID for your child. This is essential for using services like iCloud, iMessage, and the App Store—and it also allows you to manage their device through Family Sharing.

To create a Child Apple ID, follow these steps;

• Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
• Tap your name at the top, then tap Family.
• Tap Set Up Your Family and follow the instructions.
• Choose Create Child Account and enter their name and birth date (this helps apply age-appropriate controls).
• Choose a username (Apple ID email) and create a secure password.
• Verify with your payment card and accept Apple’s terms to finish the setup.

Do you already have an Apple ID for your child?

If your child already has an Apple ID (maybe from using a shared device or an old iPad), you don’t need to create a new one. Instead, you can simply add their existing Apple ID to your Family Sharing group. Here’s how to do it:

• On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your Apple ID at the top, then select Family Sharing.
• Tap Add Member > Invite People.
• Enter your child’s Apple ID email address (the one they currently use).
• Once they receive the invite on their device, they’ll need to accept it and enter their Apple ID password.
• After they’re added, you’ll be able to manage their screen time, app purchases, and other parental settings from your own device.

Step 2: Turn on Screen Time

Screen Time helps you manage how your child uses their iPhone. It helps you see what they’re doing and set limits where needed.

Follow these steps to to turn on screen time;

• Go to Settings > Screen Time.
• Tap Turn On Screen Time.
• Choose This is My Child’s Device and follow the prompts.

Step 3: Enable Downtime and App Limits

When Screen Time is turned on, you can take advantage of its features to build healthier habits. You can either enable downtime or set app limits.

Enable Downtime

Choose a schedule to limit access to apps during certain hours—perfect for bedtime or homework time. To turn on Downtime:

• Go to Settings > Screen Time > Downtime.
• Toggle Downtime on.
• Set a start and end time (e.g., 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM) when only allowed apps will be accessible.

Set App Limits

You can set daily time limits for specific app categories (e.g., 1 hour of games per day).

Here is how to set App Limits:

• Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.
• Tap Add Limit.
• Choose app categories (like Games, Social Media, or Entertainment).
• Set daily time limits—for example, 1 hour per day for games.
• Tap Add to save.

Step 4: Block Inappropriate Content with Content & Privacy Restrictions

it’s important to make sure your child isn’t exposed to content that’s too mature for their age. This is where Content & Privacy Restrictions come in handy.

To turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings > Screen Time.
• Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle it On.
• After turning it on, here’s what you can do:

Limit mature content: Restrict movies, apps, music, books, and websites based on age ratings.

Block adult websites: You can either automatically filter content or add specific sites to block.

Disable in-app purchases and auto-downloads: Stop surprise charges and unwanted app installs.

Step 5: Restrict Communication & Contacts

Managing who your child can talk to is just as important as managing what they can see. iPhones let you set communication limits using Screen Time, so your child can only interact with trusted contacts—especially during Downtime or School Time.

To set up Communication Limits, follow these steps;

• Go to Settings > Screen Time.
• Tap Communication Limits.

Choose any of the following settings for;

• During Screen Time – decide who they can talk to (e.g., Contacts Only).
• During Downtime – limit communication to specific people like parents or guardians.

This feature works across calls, messages, FaceTime, and even iCloud contacts—giving you more control over who gets through and when.

You can also control which apps are allowed to access your child’s contact list. Here is how manage contact access:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
• Tap Contacts.
• Select any app (e.g., social media, messaging) and toggle off access if you don’t want it interacting with contacts.

This added step gives you even more control—ensuring apps can’t use or share your child’s contact list without your knowledge.

Step 6: Use Location Tracking and “Find My”

One of the smartest things you can do before handing your child an iPhone is to set up Find My. This built-in Apple feature helps you keep tabs on your child’s device in case it’s lost—or if you just want to check that they made it to school safely.

When Find My iPhone is enabled and the device is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, you can do the following:

• Track its location in real-time
• Play a sound to help find it nearby
• Remotely lock or erase the device if it's lost or stolen

Even if the iPhone is turned off, you’ll still be able to see its last known location before the battery died. It’s a simple but powerful way to stay connected and protect your child’s device.

Here is how to turn on Find My iPhone :

• Go to Settings > [your child’s name] > Find My.
• Tap Find My iPhone and make sure it’s toggled On.

Step 7: Set up Guided Access (for younger kids)

If your child is younger and only needs access to one app at a time—like an educational game or YouTube Kids, then Guided Access is highly recommended. It locks the iPhone to a single app and lets you control what features are available.

Here’s how to Enable Guided Access on iPhones:

• Open Settings > Accessibility.
• Scroll down and tap Guided Access.
• Toggle it On.

Next, you need to set a Passcode:

• Tap Passcode Settings.
• Choose Set Guided Access Passcode.
• Enter a passcode (or use Face ID / Touch ID to end sessions easily).

Start a Guided Access Session:

• Open the app you want your child to use.
• Triple-click the Side Button (or Home Button on older models).
• Tap Guided Access on the screen.
• Tap Start to lock them into that app.
• You can even disable screen touches or set a time limit—perfect for playtime or homework sessions without distractions.

Part 3. Add Extra Protection with Third-Party Parental Control Apps

As a parent it is important you go above and beyond to ensure that your kids' iPhones are safe online. If you want an extra layer of protection for your child’s iPhone, a third-party parental control app like Msafely can give you peace of mind without being overly invasive.

What is Msafely

Msafely is a monitoring app designed for parents who want to stay informed about their child’s digital activity—without needing to physically access their device all the time. The app works completely in the background using stealth mode, so it won’t appear on the device or send notifications—your child won’t even know it’s running. Msafely works on both iPhones and Androids.

To use Msafely, you don’t need to install anything on your child’s iPhone. As long as you have access to their iCloud credentials, you can start monitoring their activity right from your own phone or computer.

Key features of Msafely for monitoring your child’s iPhone

These are the standout features that help parents stay informed and protect their children online:

•  Text message monitoring

If you want to know who your child is texting, Msafely can show you sent, received, and deleted messages, complete with timestamps, contact names, and full chat history.

•  Social media message tracking

Kids chat more on social platforms than through regular texts. Msafely tracks messages, shared media, voice notes, and more from apps like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, TikTok, and WhatsApp.

•  Call log monitoring

With Msafely, you can keep track of who’s calling your child. Msafely logs all incoming, outgoing, and missed calls, with details like call length, contact names, and timestamps. Some plans even support call recording.

•  GPS tracking & Geofencing

With Msafely, you can always know where your child is. Msafely has real-time GPS tracking and customizable geofences, you’ll get alerts when your child arrives at or leaves set locations like school, home, or a friend’s house.

•  Photos and videos monitoring

You can review all photos, videos, and audio files stored or shared on your child’s iPhone—great for preventing exposure to harmful or inappropriate content.

•  Keyword alerts & instant notifications

You can set up custom alerts for keywords like “bully,” “drugs,” or any risky term. Msafely sends real-time notifications if those words pop up in messages—so you can act fast if something’s wrong.

How to set up Msafely on your child’s iPhone

Step 1. Sign up on the official Msafely website with your email address.

Step 2. Choose iPhone as the target device.

Step 3. Pick a Subscription Plan that suits your needs.

Step 4. Start Monitoring—text messages, location, social media activity, and more—from your Msafely dashboard on any phone or computer.

Part 4. Summary Table: iPhone Setup Tools at a Glance

We’ve walked through how to set up an iPhone for a child—from built-in features to third-party apps. Here’s a quick look at the tools we covered and what they do:

Amongst the four, Msafely provides the most comprehensive features to monitor children's phones by tracking texts, emails, real-time location, social media apps, and more—all without needing to install anything on your child’s iPhone.

Part 5. Common Mistakes Parents Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Setting up an iPhone for your child can be exciting—but it’s also a big responsibility. While the device offers tons of educational and communication benefits, it also opens the door to online risks. Many parents unintentionally make mistakes during the setup process, which can leave their child’s privacy and safety exposed.

Below are five common mistakes parents make—and tips to help you avoid them:

#1. Giving your child an iPhone without setting up parental controls

One of the biggest mistakes is handing over the device without taking a moment to configure parental controls. Without them, your child can access inappropriate content, make unauthorized purchases, or spend excessive time on their screen.

How to avoid this mistake: Use Apple’s built-in Screen Time, Family Sharing, and content restriction settings to limit what your child can do. For even more control, pair those tools with an app like Msafely.

#2. Not using a shared Apple ID or Family Sharing

Letting your child use a separate Apple ID without linking it to yours through Family Sharing means you won’t be able to monitor their activity or approve purchases.

How to avoid this mistake: Set up Family Sharing so you stay in control of downloads, app approvals, and purchases—plus, you’ll be able to locate their device if it goes missing.

#3. Overlooking social media and chat app activity

Many parents focus on browser history and forget that most communication happens through apps like Snapchat, WhatsApp, and TikTok. These platforms can expose kids to bullying, peer pressure, or strangers.

How to avoid this mistake: Install a parental monitoring tool like Msafely to track messages, posts, and shared media on social apps—something Apple’s default settings don’t fully cover.

#4. Failing to set clear usage rules

Even with controls in place, not setting expectations around screen time, bedtime usage, or phone-free zones can lead to overuse and sleep issues.

How to avoid this mistake: Create a phone usage agreement with your child. Set clear boundaries for screen time, device-free dinners, and nightly shutdown times—then reinforce them consistently.

#5. Assuming one-time setup is enough

Some parents set up controls once and never revisit them. But as your child grows and their habits change, your settings need updates too.

How to avoid this mistake: Regularly review your child’s device settings and activity. Use tools like Msafely that offer real-time updates and alerts so you can stay informed and adapt as needed.

Part 6. Conclusion

Giving your child an iPhone is a big step—and making sure it’s set up safely is just as important.

With the right tools—like Screen Time, Family Sharing, and Msafely—you can create a safe, age-appropriate digital environment that gives your child freedom while keeping you in the loop.

Among all the tools, Msafely gives you the most control, letting you monitor texts, social apps, location, and more—all remotely. With these steps, you can feel confident your child is both connected and protected.

Part 7. FAQs