How To Set Up Restrictions on iPhone

Children spend a lot of time on mobile phones these days. As you don’t know what type of content they are listening to and watching, like every concerned parent, you would want to restrict them from accessing explicit content. 

In this guide, we will show you how to set up restrictions on iPhones with the help of easy-to-follow steps and instructions. 

Setting Up Restrictions on Your iPhone

Setting up restrictions on iPhones can be tricky and consist of multiple approaches. However, our step-by-step instructions will help you complete this task without struggle. 

So, here is the complete method for setting up restrictions on iPhones. 

Step #1: Enabling Screen Time

In the first step, you need to enable “Screen Time” on the iPhone in the following way.

1. Tap on the Settings icon on the iPhone; search and tap on “Screen Time“.
2. Turn on the “Screen Time” option and select “Continue“.
3. Select the option that says, “This is my child’s iPhone“. 
4. Tap on “Downtime” to configure the usage hours for your kid.
5. Go one step back and select “App Limits” to restrict the time limits of your kid for using an app. For example, tap “Set App Limit” to limit any social media app. 
6. Tap the back button and toggle on “Privacy & Restrictions” to create a password so only you can access these settings. 

Step #2: Controlling iTunes and App Store Purchases

You can prevent your children or anyone else from making in-app purchases, and here’s how to do this.

1. Open the iPhone, go to the Settings > “Screen Time” > “Content & Privacy Restrictions“.
2. You will be requested to enter the passcode. 
3. Tap “iTunes & App Store Purchases” and set it to “Don’t Allow“.

Step #3: Enabling Ask To Buy

You can enable “Ask To Buy” to restrict your kids from purchasing an app that might not be suitable for them. You can set this up from your device instead of your child’s, and here is how.

1. Open the iPhone and go to the Settings app.
2. Tap on your name at the top part of the screen.
3. Tap “Family Sharing” > “Ask To Buy“.
4. Tap your desired family member’s name.
5. Switch the “Ask To Buy” toggle to the on position. 

Step #4: Specifying Websites Your Child Is Permitted To Visit

To block or approve specific websites for your child, do these steps.

1. Navigate to Settings > “Screen Time” > “Content & Privacy Restrictions“.
2. Enter the passcode and then toggle the “Content & Privacy Restrictions” option to the on position. 
3. Go to “Content Restrictions” and tap on the “Web Content” option.
4. Choose “Unrestricted Access“, “Limit Adult Websites“, or “Allowed Websites Only“.

You can add the websites you want to restrict depending on your access.

Step #5: Preventing Explicit Content

You can restrict your child’s ability to find, play, and share music, music videos, podcasts, and news containing explicit content in the following way.

1. Open the iPhone and go to the Settings > “Screen Time” > “Content & Privacy Restrictions” > “Content Restrictions“. 
2. Choose the setting you want for each feature under “Allowed Store Content“.

Step #6: Disabling Built-in Apps

It is possible to disable apps to hide them from your child’s home screen. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Open the iPhone and navigate to the Settings > “Screen Time” > “Content & Privacy Restrictions“.
2. Tap “Allowed Apps“.
3. Switch the toggle off for apps you don’t want to allow.

Step #7: Restricting Siri Web Searches

Siri is an excellent feature for voice searches; however, it is easy enough to be manipulated by your child and gain access to explicit content. The good part is that you can restrict Siri from displaying such content or information in the following way. 

1. Open your iPhone if locked; tap on the Settings app.
2. Tap “Screen Time” > “Content & Privacy Restrictions” > “Content Restrictions“.
3. Scroll down to “Siri“, then choose the type of content you want to allow. 

Step #8: Restricting Game Center Features

To restrict your kids from playing multiplayer games or adding friends to the game center, among other restrictions, do the following steps. 

1. Open the iPhone and go to the Settings app. 
2. Tap “Screen Time” > “Content & Privacy Restrictions” > “Content Restrictions“.
3. Scroll down to “Game Center“.
4. Choose the settings you want for each feature under “Game Center”.

Summary

In this guide on setting up restrictions on iPhones, we have discussed a detailed method of limiting or completely blocking apps and features on your child’s device. 

Now you can give your kids their iPhones without worrying about what they are watching or doing on them.