Apple has significantly expanded the iPhone’s parental controls with iOS 27, giving parents more ways to manage what children can access, when they can use their devices, and who they can communicate with.
The new controls are part of a redesigned Screen Time and Family Sharing experience. Apple says the update is designed to provide age-appropriate protections while giving parents more flexible controls over their children’s digital activities.
Here are six important parental-control features parents should know about in iOS 27.
1. Ask to Browse
One of the most useful additions is Ask to Browse.
Parents can require children to request permission before opening a new website in Safari. When a child tries to visit a site that isn’t already approved, the parent receives a request that can be approved or denied.
Apple says Ask to Browse is enabled by default for children with a Child Account under 13, although availability and age requirements can vary by country or region.
2. Time Allowances for Apps
iOS 27 introduces Time Allowances, allowing parents to set usage limits for entire categories of apps rather than managing every application individually.
Categories include Games, Social Media, and Entertainment. Apple provides age-based guidance informed by expert research as a starting point, while parents can adjust the limits according to their family’s needs.
This gives parents a more flexible way to manage recreational screen time.
3. Screen Time Schedules
Parents can now create Screen Time Schedules that determine when specific apps are available.
For example, a family can create separate schedules for Before School, School, and After School, while also creating different routines for weekdays and weekends.
This makes it possible to restrict distracting apps during school or bedtime while allowing more access during designated periods.
4. Expanded Communication Safety
Apple has expanded Communication Safety in iOS 27.
The feature already helped protect children from detected nudity in shared photos and videos. It now also detects and helps block gore and violent content in supported shared images and videos, including supported FaceTime interactions.
Apple says Communication Safety is enabled by default for children under 18, although availability can vary by region.
5. Start With Approved Apps
Apple now gives parents more control when setting up a child’s device.
Instead of giving a child access to every installed application immediately, parents can start with essential apps, a curated selection, or only apps they specifically approve.
Additional apps can be added later through Apple’s existing Ask to Buy system. This creates a more controlled starting environment for a child’s first iPhone or iPad.
6. Redesigned Screen Time Dashboard
Apple has redesigned Screen Time to give parents a clearer overview of a child’s device activity.
Parents can see information such as average usage and frequently used apps and can use quick controls to pause device access, allow additional time, or change schedules.
The redesigned interface also makes it easier to respond to situations in real time, such as limiting access during meals or allowing extra time when a child needs to finish something.
How to Set Up iOS 27 Parental Controls
To use the redesigned controls, parents should set up Family Sharing and create a Child Account for the child. Apple recommends updating all devices in the Family Sharing group to the latest supported versions before enabling the new Screen Time experience.
Parents can then manage settings from:
Settings > Family > [Child’s Name]
From there, they can manage apps, websites, communication, schedules, Time Allowances, Communication Safety, and Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new parental controls in iOS 27?
The major additions include Ask to Browse, Time Allowances, Screen Time Schedules, expanded Communication Safety, controlled app access during setup, and a redesigned Screen Time experience.
Does iOS 27 let parents block websites?
Yes. Ask to Browse can require parental approval before a child accesses new websites, while existing website restrictions provide additional controls.
Do parents need Family Sharing?
For the full redesigned parental-control experience, Apple requires the child to have a Child Account within a Family Sharing group.
Final Takeaway
iOS 27 makes Apple’s parental controls more detailed and easier to manage. Instead of relying primarily on traditional app limits, parents can now control web access, app categories, schedules, communication safety, approved apps, and overall Screen Time from a more streamlined system.
For families using iPhones and iPads, these changes provide more tools for creating age-appropriate digital experiences while allowing parents to adjust restrictions as their children grow.
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