Set Up Your Child’s First iPhone: A Parent’s Guide
Take it with you
Print-ready, one page each. Open on your phone, print at home, or save to your files.
- Family Phone Agreement Fill-in agreement with the age paths, the rules to decide together, and a signature line. Download the PDF
- Setup Checklist Every step before the phone changes hands, split by age band, plus the week-one review. Download the PDF
Before handing over an iPhone, set it up with your child beside you. Explain what you will manage, what they can request, and who they should ask for help. A phone bought from Plug still needs family setup; Certified Pre-Owned does not mean parental controls have already been configured.
Use the newest software supported by each device in the family. The menu names below follow Apple's current documentation; older versions may differ. The same Screen Time principles also apply to a child's iPad, although cellular service and device features differ.
Choose the correct account path
Ages 10–12 in the U.S.
Use a separate Apple Account for the child, with their actual birthday. On the family organizer's iPhone or iPad, open Settings → Family → Add Member → Create Child Account, then follow Apple's prompts. If your child already has an account, add that account to the family rather than making a duplicate. Apple may ask you to verify that you are an adult.
Ages 13–14 in the U.S.
An early teen can generally create their own account or have a parent create it. Invite that account to Family Sharing and configure supervision together. Turning 13 does not automatically remove Screen Time or family protections. Rules vary by region; follow the options Apple presents for the account.
If you use Android, do not expect the Family Link app to supervise an iPhone. Apple's Screen Time instructions include an on-device setup path for ages 13–17 when the parent does not have an Apple device. For younger children, check Apple's current Child Account and family setup requirements before choosing the phone.
Turn on Screen Time and lock its settings
From your Apple device, open Settings → Screen Time, select your child under Family, and follow the setup prompts. Use a Screen Time passcode that is different from the child's device-unlock passcode. Keep recovery access under the parent's control.
Set Downtime around your household and school routines. Use App Limits for specific apps or categories, and review Always Allowed so the tools and contacts your child needs are still available. Make a normal practice call to a trusted adult during your chosen schedule; do not place a test emergency call.
Review purchases, content, and privacy
In your child's Screen Time settings, turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions. Review app installation, in-app purchases, age ratings, and web access. Apple's current Web Content choices include limiting adult websites or allowing only approved websites. Filters can miss content, so explain how your child should respond to something unexpected.
Use Ask to Buy where available to review eligible downloads and purchases. Also review account changes and privacy permissions. Approving an app does not mean every interaction inside it is suitable; examine its messaging, advertising, and purchase features separately.
Check communication and location settings
Communication Limits and Communication Safety do different jobs. Limits manage who your child can communicate with in supported services. Communication Safety helps detect certain sensitive images and videos in supported contexts and provides guidance. Neither is a universal monitor of every app or conversation.
Review Find My and location-sharing settings together. Explain who can see the location and why. A location display is not a guarantee that someone is safe or that their position is current.
If you chose a Connected Pack
Follow the activation instructions supplied with the order. Plug's Boost Mobile path uses eSIM. An iPhone 13 may also have a physical SIM tray; choose the eSIM path rather than assuming a physical SIM needs to be inserted. Activate with Wi-Fi available and check normal calls, messages, and mobile data afterward.
Check the setup together
- Child uses their own account with the correct birthday.
- Parent can manage Screen Time and protect its settings.
- App approval and content settings match your agreement.
- Needed contacts and school resources remain accessible.
- Location sharing has been explained and checked.
- A review date is written in your family phone agreement.
Sources and further reading
- Apple: create a Child Account
- Apple: Family Sharing for kids and teens
- Apple: Screen Time setup
- Apple: parental controls
- Apple: Communication Safety
- Plug: eSIM offer details
Source review: September 14, 2026. Menus, app features, and availability can change. Follow the current instructions shown on your device.
