How to Set Up a Child Apple Account for Screen Time (and Why It Matters)

Why this matters

Apple only lets parental control apps lock apps on a child's device when the device belongs to a child account in a parent's family. If your kid's iPad is signed into a regular Apple Account (even one you made for them), Screen Time apps can't hold a lock, and kids can often switch permissions off themselves.

Check in 30 seconds

1. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Family.
2. Find your kid. Child accounts show their age group and give you Screen Time and Ask to Buy options.
3. On your kid's device, open Settings and tap their name at the top. If you see their own payment method or subscriptions they manage, it's likely a regular account.

Create a child account

1. On your iPhone: Settings, your name, Family, then the add member button.
2. Choose Create Child Account and follow the prompts (name, birthday, parental consent).
3. On your kid's device, sign out of the old Apple Account and sign in with the new child account.

Apple's menu names change between iOS versions. If something doesn't match, search "Family Sharing child account" on Apple Support.

If you already set up an app on the old account

Delete the parental control app on your kid's device, switch accounts, then reinstall and set it up again. App selections are tied to the device and account, so old selections won't carry over correctly.

Do it with Peep

How to use Peep for this

Peep checks this for you. During setup on your kid's device, Peep confirms it's a child account in your family and that the app lock really works before it finishes. If something is off, it tells you exactly what to fix and rechecks with one tap.

1. Install Peep on your iPhoneDownload Peep, create your family, and add each kid. You'll get a nest code for every kid.
2. Set the daily missionsPick the chores and tasks that have to happen each day, and how much screen time they earn (up to 4 hours a day).
3. Connect your kid's deviceInstall Peep on your kid's iPhone or iPad, enter the nest code, and choose the apps to lock. Peep checks that the lock is really working before setup finishes.
4. Approve with one tapYour kid checks off missions. You get a notification and approve from your own phone. Their apps unlock automatically.

Common questions

Does my kid need their own iPhone or iPad?

Yes. Peep runs on your phone and on your kid's device. The kid's device needs iOS or iPadOS 16 or later and a child Apple Account.

Will switching accounts delete my kid's stuff?

Switching Apple Accounts can change which purchases, iCloud data, and game saves are available. Check important game progress before you switch.

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