Block Apps
How to Block Apps on a Kids iPhone
Permanently prevent a child from accessing certain apps on an iPhone or iPad.
If you are trying to prevent your child from accessing an app on an iPhone or iPad, you might have noticed that this process is not straightforward.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the iPhone-specific instructions for blocking an iOS app using approaches that work for parents managing a child's iPhone. We'll also go through strategies for permanent or temporary app restriction.
Step 1: Prepare your child's iPhone for maximum app control
Apple Screen Time provides some app management capabilities that can be used alongside other app blocking techniques.
Before continuing with this app blocking guide, do one of the following:
Step 2: Require approval to download new apps on a kid's iPhone
Instead of blocking the App Store entirely , you can restrict a child from installing new apps unless they get explicit approval from a parent.
This is a more convenient way to grant access to apps. For example, if a parent is away from home, and a child needs to access a new app, the parent can remotely review and approve the request.
Step 3: Block apps during bedtime or study hours
Screen Time has a useful feature for blocking distracting apps during bedtime or study hours called Downtime . Apps that aren't included in Downtime exceptions will be blocked from being accessed during downtime.
To get started, access Screen Time downtime settings by doing one of the following:
Add some exceptions for apps that should never be blocked, even during downtime. For example, the calculator app:
Apps that are added to the Allowed Apps section won't be blocked during Downtime.
Step 4: Review screenshots of app activity on a kid's iPhone
After controlling which apps a child can use, we highly recommend setting up screenshot-based parental monitoring for iPhone and iPad .
This ensures you can review your child's iOS app activity as if you were glancing over and looking directly at their screen.
LivingRoom records the screen as your child uses their device and sends screenshots of app activity to the parents dashboard for review.
Reviewing these screenshots help a parent determine if certain apps need to be restricted based on how their child is using them.
LivingRoom provides full visibility into a child's app activity on an iOS device.
Step 5: limit how much time a child can spend on an iPhone app
Screen Time provides the option to add App Limits, and this can be used to “block” certain apps that have been used for a certain period of time.
Set an app limit from the Screen Time page: