Best Parental Control Apps for iPhone

Parental control apps are more important now than ever as families rely on iPhones to communicate with and keep tabs on their kids. The following is the list of the best parental control apps for iPhones:

Best Parental Control Software for iPhone in 2024

• Qustodio: This app provides a comprehensive approach to parental control. It allows for setting screen time limits, tracking location, blocking inappropriate content, and even monitoring social network activity.
• Net Nanny: This is one of the most comprehensive and reliable parental control apps. Net Nanny provides real-time content filtering and can block inappropriate websites while still allowing safe search to work.
• Norton Family: Norton Family offers features to help parents protect their children from unsafe content, manage screen time, and keep an eye on their location. It offers web filtering, time supervision, and instant lock features, among others.
• OurPact: It’s a user-friendly app that offers a variety of features including the ability to block texting and internet access, manage screen time, and set automated schedules.
• Mobicip: This app lets parents block or allow app usage, control screen time, and set restrictions based on age, categories, and content ratings. It also features an internet filter to restrict inappropriate content.
• Bark: While this app is more focused on online safety and cyberbullying, it also offers features to control screen time and filter web content.
• Screen Time: This is a feature built into iOS by Apple. It allows parents to set limits on their kids’ device usage time, the apps they can use, and the content they can see.

Qustodio

Qustodio is often rated as one of the best iPhone parental control apps due to its comprehensive set of features that integrate well with the Apple ecosystem, providing parents with robust tools to monitor and control their child’s device usage.

One of the standout features of Qustodio for iPhone users is its advanced filtering technology, which allows parents to block inappropriate content across browsers, including Safari, which is the default browser on iOS devices. This ensures that the filtering remains effective regardless of the browser a child might use.

The app also offers a detailed activity timeline that gives parents a clear view of how their children are using their devices, including which apps they are spending time on. This is particularly useful in the Apple ecosystem where a wide range of apps are available and frequently used. Qustodio provides specific information on the time spent in each app, which can be crucial for parents wanting to limit usage of certain apps or games.

Location tracking is another feature that is well-suited to the iPhone. Qustodio uses GPS to provide parents with the location of their child’s device, offering peace of mind when children are away from home. This feature is integrated with the ‘Find My iPhone’ functionality, enhancing the existing Apple services.

For families that are invested in the Apple ecosystem, Qustodio’s support for multiple devices is a significant advantage. Parents can manage the screen time and control settings across all devices, including iPads and iPhones, from a single dashboard. This seamless integration across devices is a key consideration for parents who want a unified approach to screen time management.

Qustodio offers a dedicated Panic Button for children to send immediate alerts to their parents in case of an emergency. This feature can be particularly reassuring for parents, knowing that their children can reach out for help with a simple action on their Apple devices.

The app’s ability to set time limits for individual apps or categories of apps is also a major plus for iPhone users. With this, parents can ensure that their children are not spending excessive time on social media or entertainment apps, which are widely used on iOS devices.

Qustodio’s support for Family Sharing on iOS allows parents to easily share the app across different family members’ devices without the need for separate subscriptions. This integration with Apple’s Family Sharing makes it convenient and cost-effective for families to use Qustodio across all their Apple devices.

Net Nanny

Net Nanny is often considered one of the best iPhone parental control apps due to its robust feature set that aligns well with the needs of modern parents and the functionality of iOS devices.

One of the key features that makes Net Nanny stand out is its dynamic internet filter that can analyze web content in real-time, ensuring that children are protected from inappropriate content even when they are browsing Safari or other web browsers on their iPhones. This is particularly important for iOS devices where Safari is a commonly used browser.

The app also offers a visual dashboard that provides parents with a snapshot of their child’s online activity, which is easily accessible from any device, including iPhones and iPads. This means parents can monitor usage, set restrictions, and receive alerts directly from their devices, staying in the loop with their child’s activities.

Location tracking is another feature that integrates well with the iPhone’s capabilities. Net Nanny allows parents to track the location of their child’s device, which is a valuable tool for ensuring their safety, especially when they are on the move. This feature complements the existing ‘Find My’ service provided by Apple, offering additional peace of mind.

The app’s screen time management is another feature that is particularly useful for iPhone users. Parents can set specific times of the day or week when their child’s device can be used, which helps in enforcing rules around screen time without constant manual oversight. This is in line with Apple’s own Screen Time settings but offers a more customizable experience.

Net Nanny also provides instant alerts on potentially harmful activities, including the detection of explicit content in images on the child’s device. For parents in the Apple ecosystem, this means they can be immediately informed about risky behavior, whether it’s through iMessage or other communication apps used on the iPhone.

The ability to block apps is a crucial feature for any parental control service, and Net Nanny allows parents to see which apps their children are downloading and using on their iPhones. This can help prevent children from accessing apps that are inappropriate or distracting.

For families that use multiple Apple devices, Net Nanny’s multi-device compatibility is a significant advantage. Parents can manage the settings across iPhones, iPads, and even Macs from a single account, ensuring consistent parental controls across all devices.

Net Nanny’s Family Feed provides real-time updates on a child’s online searches, videos watched, and websites visited, which is particularly useful for parents who want to stay informed about their child’s online behavior without constantly having to check multiple devices.

Norton Family

Norton Family is one of the best iPhone parental control apps due to its comprehensive suite of monitoring tools and seamless integration with iOS devices. The app offers a range of features that cater to the safety and management of children’s online activities, which are particularly tailored to the functionalities of iPhones and other devices within the Apple ecosystem.

One of the standout features of Norton Family is its web supervision, which allows parents to track the websites their children visit on their iPhones, ensuring they are not accessing inappropriate content. This feature is crucial for iOS devices as it extends beyond the default Safari browser, providing control over various web browsers that can be installed on an iPhone.

The app’s location supervision integrates with the GPS capabilities of the iPhone, allowing parents to track their children’s whereabouts in real-time. This feature is particularly beneficial for parents who want to ensure their children’s safety when they are away from home.

Time supervision is another key feature, which enables parents to schedule and manage the amount of time their children spend on their iPhones. This aligns with the Screen Time functionality provided by iOS, but Norton Family offers a more detailed breakdown and control over the specific times when the device can be used, which can be tailored for each day of the week.

Norton Family also provides instant lock functionality, which can be particularly useful in the Apple ecosystem. Parents can instantly lock their child’s iPhone remotely, which is beneficial during family time, homework time, or bedtime. This feature ensures that parents can enforce rules around device usage without physically needing to take the device away.

The app’s ability to monitor and manage the apps that children download and use on their iPhones is also a significant feature. Parents can see which apps are being used and for how long, and they can block apps that they feel are not appropriate or are being overused.

For families with multiple devices, Norton Family’s multi-platform support is a major advantage. It allows parents to manage the controls across all Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and even Macs, from a single account. This provides a unified parental control experience across the entire Apple ecosystem.

Video supervision is another feature that is well-suited to the iPhone. Norton Family allows parents to see a list of videos their children are watching on their iPhones, which can help parents understand what kind of video content their children are consuming.

Norton Family’s monthly or weekly reports give parents a comprehensive overview of their child’s online activity, which can be conveniently accessed from a parent’s iPhone or any other device. This helps parents stay informed and engaged with their child’s digital life.

OurPact

OurPact is one of the best iPhone parental control apps because of its user-friendly interface and a strong set of features that are well-adapted to the iOS environment.

One of the primary reasons OurPact is favored by many parents is its comprehensive app management system. It allows parents to block or grant access to apps on their child’s iPhone with a simple touch. This is particularly useful in the Apple ecosystem where there is a plethora of apps available to children. Parents can schedule app usage according to routines, ensuring that children are not distracted during homework time or bedtime.

Another significant feature is the screen time management tool. OurPact gives parents the ability to set screen time allowances that align with their family’s schedule and values. This mirrors and enhances the capabilities of Apple’s own Screen Time settings by providing more granular control.

OurPact also excels in family location sharing and places geofences. Using the iPhone’s GPS, parents can keep tabs on their child’s location and receive alerts when they enter or leave designated areas. This feature is seamlessly integrated with the iPhone’s native capabilities, providing an additional layer of safety monitoring within the Apple ecosystem.

The app’s website filtering is another feature that stands out. It can block entire categories of websites or specific URLs, ensuring children are not exposed to harmful content on the web. This is especially important for iPhones, as they are often used for internet browsing.

OurPact’s ability to manage screen time on a family-shared iPad is also a noteworthy feature. Since iPads are commonly used by children for both education and entertainment, OurPact’s management features can be applied to these devices as well, ensuring consistency across all iOS devices within the household.

The app’s ‘Family Locator’ feature is another boon for iPhone users. It allows parents to track their family’s location in real-time, which is particularly useful for parents who want to ensure their children’s safety when they are not at home.

OurPact also offers a feature called ‘Text Blocking’ which can be a crucial tool for parents. It allows the blocking of texting apps at specific times, which can help prevent distractions during school hours or at night.

OurPact has a feature for managing iMessages, which is significant given that iMessage is a primary texting tool used on iPhones. Parents can block or allow iMessage, ensuring that their children are not misusing this communication tool during inappropriate times.

Mobicip

Mobicip is among the best iPhone parental control apps due to its strong set of features that are tailored to the iOS platform, providing parents with a high level of control and monitoring over their children’s devices.

One of the key features that makes Mobicip a favorite among parents is its advanced internet filter, which works across all browsers installed on the iPhone, including Safari. This ensures that children are protected from accessing inappropriate or harmful content online, no matter how they access the internet.

The app also offers a time management tool that allows parents to set limits on screen time. This is particularly useful for iPhones, as it helps parents enforce rules around how much time their children can spend on their devices each day. This feature complements Apple’s Screen Time but offers a more customizable and user-friendly approach.

Location tracking is another feature that integrates well with the iPhone’s capabilities. Mobicip uses the device’s GPS to allow parents to keep track of their children’s whereabouts, providing peace of mind when kids are out and about.

Mobicip’s app management feature is also a significant advantage for iPhone users. It allows parents to see which apps their children are downloading and using, and to block apps that may be inappropriate or distracting. This is especially important in the Apple ecosystem, where there is a vast array of apps available to children.

For families with multiple devices, Mobicip’s multi-platform support is a major plus. It allows parents to manage and monitor all of their family’s iOS devices from a single account, ensuring a consistent approach to parental controls across iPhones, iPads, and even Macs.

The app’s ability to monitor videos and social media is another reason it stands out. Mobicip can keep track of the videos that children watch on their iPhones and monitor their social media activity, which is crucial for parents who want to protect their children from the risks associated with online video content and social networking.

Mobicip also provides detailed reports and alerts, which give parents insights into their child’s online activity. These reports can be accessed directly from the parent’s iPhone, making it convenient to stay informed and take action if necessary.

The Family Locator feature is a boon for iPhone users, as it allows parents to track their family’s location in real-time. This feature is particularly useful for parents who want to ensure their children’s safety when they are not at home.

Bark

Bark is considered one of the best iPhone parental control apps primarily because of its focus on monitoring and alerting parents to potential issues like cyberbullying, online predators, depression, and suicidal thoughts, rather than just screen time management or website filtering. Its sophisticated algorithms scan through texts, emails, social media, and more to identify signs of dangerous interactions or content.

For iPhone users, Bark offers several features that are particularly beneficial. It has the ability to monitor texts, including iMessages, which are a central part of communication for any iPhone user. This is significant because iMessage is a widely used platform by children for texting, and being able to monitor these messages can help parents intervene when necessary.

Bark also integrates with iOS to monitor images and videos for concerning content. This is especially relevant given the popularity of multimedia messaging among children and teens. The app uses advanced machine learning algorithms to detect nudity, violence, or other alarming content in the media stored on the child’s iPhone.

Another feature that aligns well with the Apple ecosystem is Bark’s ability to monitor iCloud and other connected accounts. For families deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, this means that even backups and data synced across devices can be monitored for harmful content or interactions.

The app’s screen time management and web filtering capabilities also complement the existing Screen Time features on iOS devices. Parents can set schedules, manage access to websites, and set time limits for specific apps or categories of apps, providing a more comprehensive and nuanced set of controls than what is natively available on the iPhone.

Bark stands out for its focus on social media monitoring, which is crucial given the prevalence of social media use on iPhones among young people. The app supports many of the most popular social platforms, analyzing interactions and content to alert parents to potential issues like cyberbullying or inappropriate content.

For parents concerned about their children’s mental health, Bark’s alerts for signs of depression or suicidal thoughts can be invaluable. The app’s sophisticated monitoring can pick up on language that may indicate emotional distress, allowing parents to act swiftly.

Bark’s Family Location Check-In feature is a simple yet effective tool for keeping track of family members without being overly intrusive. This feature allows children to check in with their location on their iPhones, giving parents peace of mind without the need for continuous GPS tracking.

Screen Time

Apple’s Screen Time feature, built into iOS, offers a variety of useful controls for parents to help manage their children’s device usage. Here are a few key reasons why it can be considered a good parental control app:

• Ease of Access: Screen Time is built into all iOS devices, meaning you don’t need to install or purchase an additional app to use it.
• App Limits: Parents can set daily limits for individual apps or categories of apps (like social networking or games). Once the allotted time for the day is used up, the app is blocked.
• Downtime: Parents can set a specific schedule for when the child’s device can be used, such as only allowing access during certain hours of the day.
• Content & Privacy Restrictions: You can block or limit specific apps and features, prevent certain types of purchases, or restrict explicit and mature content.
• Activity Reports: Screen Time gives parents a detailed report of how their child’s device is being used, including which apps and websites they visit.
• Communication Limits: For iOS 13.3 and later, parents can control who their kids can communicate with (via Phone, FaceTime, Messages, and iCloud contacts).
• Family Sharing: If you’re using Family Sharing, you can view and manage your child’s activity and Screen Time settings directly from your device.

One potential downside is that Screen Time doesn’t offer web filtering options as robust as some dedicated parental control apps, so depending on your needs, you might need to pair Screen Time with another app or service for complete peace of mind. But for many parents, especially those with younger children, Screen Time provides a comprehensive set of tools for managing device use.

Additional Top Parental Control Apps for iPhone in 2024

• Circle with Disney: Manages every device in your home and can pause internet access, along with setting time limits and filtering content.
• Boomerang: Offers screen time management, app controls, and advanced text monitoring.
• FamiSafe: Features real-time location tracking, app blocking, web filtering, and screen time control.
• FamilyTime: Offers features like geo-fencing, SOS alerts, app blockers, and screen time control.