How to Block Apps on Your Child’s iOS Device Today
This article is part of our Mobile Phones & Smartphones resource section.
Every child is different, so there’s no one perfect solution for keeping them safe online. However, one thing you can do to help protect your child is to block certain apps on their iOS device.
Whether your child uses an iPhone or another type of smartphone, setting appropriate boundaries can help create safer digital habits. Parents choosing an Apple device can also compare the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16, explore useful facts about the iPhone 12, or review the differences between the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
If you’re concerned about the amount of time your child is spending on their iOS device or which apps they’re using, you can use restrictions to block certain apps and features. This can help you control how your child uses their device and ensure they’re only using age-appropriate apps.
Parental controls are only one part of managing a child’s iPhone safely. Parents can also explore apps that can track an iPhone online and learn about different ways to track a child’s iPhone. Any monitoring or location features should be configured appropriately for your family’s needs and with consideration for privacy.
Table of Contents
How to Block Apps on iPhone with Screen Time?
With the release of iOS 12, Apple introduced Screen Time, a feature that allows you to see how much time you and your family spend on your devices, as well as set limits for specific apps. If you have kids, you can use Screen Time to block certain apps on their iPhones or iPads.
Before changing restrictions or installing additional parental-control tools, make sure the device and important information are protected. Using reliable iPhone backup software can help preserve photos, contacts, messages, and other files, while regularly checking for signs that an iPhone might be at risk can help parents recognize unusual device behavior.
This can be done by opening the Settings app and tapping on Screen Time. From here, you can tap on “App Limits” and then “Add Limit.” Here, you can select which apps you want to block and for how long. You can also set a bedtime for your child, which will limit their device usage during certain hours.
When managing apps through Screen Time, keeping installed applications updated is another useful maintenance step because updates may contain compatibility, security, and performance improvements. For an example of the app-update process across mobile platforms, see these steps to update the Crazy Time app on Android and iOS.
As a parent, you can also use Screen Time to see which apps your child is using the most and set limits for them. This can be done by opening the “Reports” section and tapping on “See All Activity.” From here, you can tap on “Add Limit” and select which apps you want to limit.
If app limits are being configured on an iPhone with very little available storage, it may also be useful to review unnecessary apps, downloads, photos, and other files. Our guide explains practical ways to free up space on your iPhone and keep more storage available for important apps and system updates.
A lower screen time can help improve focus, increase productivity and protect your child’s eyesight. Spending more time on outdoor activities can also be beneficial for your child’s physical and mental health.
Not all screen time has to be passive entertainment. With appropriate limits and supervision, children can also use mobile technology for educational purposes, and there are many ways to learn new skills using an iPhone. Balancing educational use with offline activities can make device rules more practical for families.
iPhone Monitoring with Family Orbit
Family Orbit is another great option for parents who want to monitor their child’s iPhone usage. With this app, you can see which apps your child is using, how much time they’re spending on their device, and set limits for certain app.
You can also use Family Orbit to track your child’s location, see their call history, and view their photos and videos. This can be a great way to make sure your child is staying safe online and not sharing any personal information with strangers.
Location tools can be useful for family device management when they are used appropriately. Parents who want to understand additional options can read about methods to track an iPhone location by number. Location monitoring should always be configured responsibly and with appropriate consideration for the device user’s privacy and safety.
To get started with Family Orbit, you can download the app from the App Store and sign up for a free 7-day trial. After that, you’ll need to purchase a subscription in order to continue using the app.
Let’s take a look at the features of Family Orbit:
See Installed Apps
You can use Family Orbit to see which apps are installed on your child’s device, as well as how much time they’re spending on each app. This can be a great way to see which apps your child is using the most and set limits for them.
If you manage an iPhone from a computer, additional tools can make it easier to organize or view device content. You can explore the best iTunes alternatives for iPhone data management or learn how mirroring an iPhone to a PC can display supported mobile content on a larger screen.
Monitor Web History
Monitoring your child’s web history can be a great way to see what they’re doing online and make sure they’re not viewing any inappropriate content. With Family Orbit, you can view your child’s web history and set limits for certain website.
This can help protect them from stumbling onto inappropriate content or accidentally sharing personal information with strangers. Preventing them from accessing websites that are not appropriate for their age can help keep them safe online.
Web restrictions can be combined with other security practices to provide broader protection when children use an iPhone online. For example, parents can learn how to protect iOS devices through a VPN, particularly when a device connects to public or otherwise untrusted Wi-Fi networks.
Location Tracking
Knowing where your child is at all times can give you peace of mind. With Family Orbit, you can see their current location as well as where they’ve been over the past 24 hours.
This can be a great way to make sure your child is where they’re supposed to be and that they’re not getting into any trouble.
You can also set up geofencing so that you’re notified if your child goes to a certain location that you’ve designated as off-limits.
Call History
You can see who your child is calling and who’s calling them with Family Orbit. You can also view their call history and see how long each call lasted.
This can be a great way to keep tabs on your child’s social life and make sure they’re not talking to any strangers or a bad influence.
Parents teaching children how to use communication features can also explain how messages should be handled and shared responsibly. For basic iOS messaging functionality, see our guide explaining how to forward a text message on iPhone.
Photos & Videos
Seeing what photos and videos your child is taking can give you insight into their day-to-day life. With Family Orbit, you can view all the photos and videos that are stored on your child’s iPhone.
This can be a great way to make sure they’re not sharing any dangerous or inappropriate photos or videos.
Photos, videos, conversations, and other personal files can also be lost if an iPhone has to be restored or develops a serious software problem. If important information becomes inaccessible, parents can investigate iPhone data recovery software or read our AceThinker iPhone Data Recovery review for another recovery option.
As you can see, Family Orbit is a great option for parents who want to monitor their child’s iPhone usage. It offers a variety of features that can help you keep tabs on your child and make sure they’re staying safe online.
Parents should also know what to do if the child’s iPhone becomes inaccessible because of a forgotten passcode. Our guides explain how to access an iPhone when you forgot the password, provide additional tips to unlock an iPhone, and cover how to unlock an iPhone passcode without a computer.
If the iPhone experiences a system problem rather than a passcode issue, different troubleshooting may be required. Follow our guide to fix an iPhone stuck in a boot loop if the device continually restarts, or see how to fix an iPhone stuck in recovery mode if it remains on the recovery screen.
Final Words
Blocking apps on your child’s iPhone can be a great way to limit their screen time and protect them from inappropriate content. There are a variety of apps that you can use to do this, including Family Orbit.
If you are setting up a child’s iPhone after moving from Android, you may also need to transfer important conversations and messages. Our guides explain methods to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone, how to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without resetting, and how to transfer messages from Android to iPhone.
Other migration methods are available depending on the device and direction of the transfer. You can learn how to transfer WhatsApp messages to a new iPhone 13, while users moving conversations in the opposite direction can explore Backuptrans for transferring WhatsApp from iPhone to Android.
Family Orbit is a great option for parents who want to monitor their child’s iPhone usage. It offers a variety of features that can help you keep tabs on your child and make sure they’re staying safe online.
Give Family Orbit a try today and see how it can help you protect your child online!
If you are also choosing which iPhone a family member will use, you may want to compare different Apple models and generations. Read our Apple iPhone 15 review, explore the iPhone SE 3rd Generation review, or take a look at our earlier iPhone SE review for more information about different devices.
After configuring parental controls and security settings, protecting the physical device is another practical consideration. If your family uses one of Apple’s larger premium models, see our guide to choosing the perfect iPhone 15 Pro Max cover, while owners of a newer Pro model can learn why an iPhone 16 Pro case can be useful for everyday protection.
