Monitor a Child's iPhone or iPad with LivingRoom for Families

Ben

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Updated September 30, 2025

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LivingRoom for Families is a new app that allows parents to monitor their child's iPhone or iPad. As your child uses the device, the screen is recorded. Regardless of the app your child uses, you'll be able to see screenshots to see exactly what your child is doing. A child can't bypass this app, so you'll have peace of mind that you are getting the full picture of what your child is up to.

How it Works

The LivingRoom for Families app records your child's iPhone or iPad screen while they use the device.

Your child will see a recording indicator overlaying the top corner of the screen, which ensures they use the device responsibly:

LivingRoom for Families recording a child's iPhone screen

In the parents' admin dashboard , you can review screenshots of your child's device usage.

Get Started

Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Create a parent account

Create a LivingRoom for Families parent account .

Step 2: Get Connection Code

• In the parent account dashboard, add a child.

• Using your child's iPhone or iPad, scan this QR code to open the LivingRoom for Families App Store page and install it:

LivingRoom for Families app store page

• Back in the parent dashboard, click Get connection code to generate the PIN needed to connect your child's device.

Step 3: Connect Child's Device

On your child's iPhone or iPad, go through the first-time onboarding in the app until you get to the Connection Code step. You can enter the connection code from the parent dashboard that you requested in the previous step.

Step 4: Show your Child

Instruct your child that to use their iPhone or iPad, they need to open the LivingRoom app and start the screen recorder.

Excluding apps from requiring screen recording

There are probably some apps on your child's device that are completely safe to use without supervision and shouldn't require screen recording. We recommend adding those apps as exceptions. Here's how to do that.

Go into Screen Time > Always Allowed and add those apps to the Allowed Apps section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does LivingRoom capture activity from all browser apps?

Since LivingRoom for Families records the full screen of the device, it will capture activity no matter what browser app is used on the device. This means that you can use Safari, Google Chrome, or any web browser app without worrying about bypassing screen capturing. This is why it's considered a comprehensive way to monitor a child's iPhone .

Does LivingRoom capture activity in incognito/private browser windows?

Yes, the LivingRoom app uses screenshots to capture activity, meaning that web browsing activity is recorded even when a private/incognito window is used.

Does LivingRoom capture activity from all social media apps?

Yes, whether your child is using Snapchat, Instagram, or a social media app you don't know about, LivingRoom will capture periodic screenshots of their activity on those platforms. 

Does LivingRoom monitor YouTube activity?

Yes, LivingRoom is a great way to monitor what your child is watching on YouTube . It will work regardless of the YouTube account your child is signed into. It also works even when YouTube is used anonymously or via a web browser instead of the app. 

Does LivingRoom work with a proxy or VPN?

LivingRoom works even if a proxy or VPN is used on the device. Since the app uses screenshots to capture activity, it doesn't matter how the device is connected to the internet.

Can LivingRoom see disappearing messages on Snapchat?

Yes, LivingRoom will periodically capture full device screenshots, so Snapchat private messages aren't hidden from you. LivingRoom is a core part of making Snapchat safe for teens .

An added benefit is that conversation partners on Snapchat are notified that the chat is monitored, so they'll be on their best behavior:

Conversation partners are warned that your child's screen is being recorded

What apps are not supported?

Video streaming apps that exclusively show copyrighted content aren't supported. This mainly affects the following apps:

1. Disney Plus
2. Netflix

Handling apps with copyrighted content that do not support screen recording

There are certain video streaming apps available on an iPhone or iPad that do not support screen recording. Depending on the video streaming app you are using, you might see an error indicating that the screen can't be recorded while using that app.

On a child's device, the most common app that would have this issue is Disney+.

If your child's device uses this app, you should do the following:

1. Add Disney+ to your Screen Time always allowed list so that screen recording isn't required to use it.
2. Make sure that the Disney+ app has parental controls enabled so you can restrict access to inappropriate content. See our guide on setting up parental controls on Disney plus for more info.