Apple has released a comprehensive overhaul of its child-safety features across its device ecosystem, requiring iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. The new tools, which went live on September 14 after a June preview, are centered around the Child Account, which is mandatory for users under 13 and available for those up to 18. Apple emphasizes that without a Child Account, these age-based protections are not activated, meaning a child using a device signed into an adult's Apple Account will not benefit from them.
A key enhancement is the integration of parental approval into more aspects of device use. Building on the existing "Ask to Buy" feature for app and in-app purchases, "Ask to Browse" now routes requests for new websites in Safari and other WebKit browsers to a parent for approval. Similarly, "Ask to Connect" requires parental consent for new contacts or accounts before a child can communicate with them via Phone, FaceTime, or Messages. On Apple Watch and Vision Pro, only pre-approved sites are accessible. Device setup now also includes an earlier step where parents can select which built-in apps are available, choosing from essentials, a recommended set, or a custom selection.
The Screen Time feature has been significantly redesigned with "Time Allowances," which replaces rigid per-app time limits with a flexible daily budget across categories such as games, entertainment, and social media. Parents set an overall time limit and can then adjust allocations for individual categories. Apple provides age-tailored starting points, developed with input from online safety and health experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Apple is collaborating with the AAP to adapt its Family Media Plan for use with Apple devices. Schedules can be layered on top, allowing for different app sets during school, before school, and after. Parents can also temporarily pause a device or grant extra minutes without disrupting other settings, and children reaching their limit receive a prompt to request more time.
Communication Safety, which previously detected nudity in shared images and videos, has expanded its scope to include the blocking of gore and violent content. This detection now also extends to live FaceTime calls, in addition to still images and recordings. Another new privacy-focused feature allows parents to share a child's age range with third-party applications in a way that enables tailored experiences without disclosing the child's exact birthdate. This feature is opt-in and can be reversed.
A critical prerequisite for these Screen Time updates is that every device within a Family Sharing group must be updated to the latest operating systems: iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27. An older device within the group, such as a forgotten iPad or an Apple Watch, will prevent the entire group from utilizing the new features. Apple also notes that some features may not be available in all regions, languages, or on all device models.
