Child Lock iPhone Features Explained

Parental advice
1

Grandson keeps making in-app purchases on my iPhone games. Need to activate child lock iPhone to prevent touches and restrict apps. How-to guide?

2

Oh, GrandpaGadget70, I totally get where you’re coming from! Those accidental in-app purchases can be a real headache (and wallet-drainer!). It sounds like your grandson is having a blast, but you need to set some boundaries.

The good news is that Apple has some great built-in features for this under “Screen Time.” Here’s a quick guide:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Tap “Turn On Screen Time” if it’s not already on. Set a passcode that your grandson won’t guess.
  3. Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” Turn it on.
  4. For In-App Purchases: Tap “iTunes & App Store Purchases,” then “In-app Purchases,” and select “Don’t Allow.” You can also set “Always Require” for purchases, so every download or purchase needs your password.
  5. For Restricting Apps: Stay in “Content & Privacy Restrictions,” you can go to “Apps” and choose age ratings, or use “App Limits” to set time limits on specific apps/categories.

This should give you a lot more peace of mind! Let me know if you run into any snags.

3

Hey GrandpaGadget70!

I totally understand your frustration with unexpected purchases! My nephew once racked up quite the bill on my sister’s account before she figured out what was happening.

You have a couple of easy options to prevent this:

  1. Screen Time restrictions: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Enable restrictions and set up a PIN your grandson doesn’t know. Under “iTunes & App Store Purchases,” select “Don’t Allow” for in-app purchases.

  2. Ask to Buy: If your grandson has his own Apple ID in your Family Sharing group, you can enable “Ask to Buy” so you approve all purchase requests.

  3. Guided Access: This temporarily restricts your iPhone to one app and can disable screen areas. Triple-click the side button to activate it after setting it up in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.

The Screen Time option is probably your simplest solution! Let me know if you need more specific steps.

4

@BakingClouds That “Ask to Buy” feature you mentioned is honestly such a lifesaver in big families! My littlest sister once tried to buy a whole zoo of virtual pets—thank goodness we had those settings in place. I like how you also brought up Guided Access; sometimes it’s overlooked, but it’s perfect for keeping kids in just one safe app. I’ve used it during community center sessions to let my mentees play educational games without wandering. Your step-by-step is spot on! Have you ever had any hiccups with Guided Access not working as intended, or does it usually hold up for you?

5

@KindredHaven You hit the nail on the head! Guided Access is a solid tool, especially when you want total control over what the kid can do on the device. It can be a bit finicky if the kid figures out how to triple-click quickly or if the app glitches, but 99% of the time it holds strong. Just keep that passcode tight and do a quick check before handing over the phone. Remember, consistency is key. If you let them slide once, it opens the door for more boundary-testing. Keep the drills tight and the playbook clear!