Best Parental Control Apps for Iphone

In this article, we reviewed the best parental control apps for Iphone, comparing their key features, pricing, and limitations. Our goal is to help you find a solution that fits your family’s needs—without turning parenting into constant surveillance.

Built-in iOS Parental Controls (Screen Time)

Platforms: iOS, iPadOS, macOS

Apple’s built-in parental control system works through Screen Time and Family Sharing. It allows parents to set usage limits, filter content by age, and monitor activity across all Apple devices. Settings sync automatically between a child’s iPhone, iPad, and Mac, creating a unified control system within the Apple ecosystem.

Parental Control Features

• Screen time limits. Set daily limits for app categories such as games, social media, and entertainment, with separate schedules for weekdays and weekends.
• Downtime mode. Block all apps except approved ones during specific hours, such as bedtime or study time.
• Age-based content restrictions. Automatically filter apps, movies, music, and books by age ratings in the App Store and iTunes.
• Web filtering. Automatically block adult websites or create a custom allowlist of approved sites.
• App installation control. Require parental approval for every new download or block app installations entirely.
• Purchase blocking. Disable purchases in the App Store and iTunes or require a password for every transaction.
• Weekly activity reports. View detailed statistics for app usage, websites visited, and the number of device unlocks.
• Location tracking via Find My. Track the device’s real-time location and receive alerts when it arrives at or leaves places like school or home.
• Family Sharing. Manage settings remotely from your own device for up to six family members.
• Cross-device synchronization. Settings automatically apply to all Apple devices linked to the child’s Apple ID.

Price: Free

Why Built-In Parental Controls in Iphone Are Not Enough

Apple’s built-in Screen Time handles basic tasks, but its functionality has clear limitations.

• Restrictions are easy to bypass. Reinstalling an app can reset usage counters, changing the time zone can extend access, and a VPN can get around web filters.
• No communication monitoring. The system shows how much time is spent in messaging apps, but it does not analyze conversations, track new contacts, or alert parents to grooming or bullying.
• Weak web filtering. Automatic filters can miss harmful content, work only in Safari, can be bypassed with other browsers, and do not detect disguised threats.
• Limited location tracking. Find My shows only the current location, with no movement history and no alerts for entering or leaving safe zones.
• Apple-only ecosystem. There is no support for Android devices and no unified dashboard for families using mixed platforms.
• Lack of advanced features. You cannot lock a device instantly with one tap, create task-based rewards, or set flexible schedules for special situations.

Best Third-Party Parental Control Apps

Kidsee Parental Control App

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android

Kidsee is a comprehensive parental control app designed to help children develop healthy digital habits. It works across iPhone and Android, allowing parents to manage a device from any smartphone. Parents can set time limits for specific programs, block access to entertainment during study time or sleep hours, and track a location in real time.

Parental Control Features

• Screen time management. Set daily screen time limits for the entire device or for individual applications. Create custom schedules for school days and weekends.
• Instant app blocking. Block games, social media, and other distracting content remotely from your phone at any time.
• Cross-platform compatibility. Works across iPhone and Android, so parents can manage a device from an iPhone or an Android phone, regardless of which platform the child uses.
• GPS location tracking. View your child’s real-time location and daily location history. You can also monitor the device’s battery level.
• Battery level monitoring. Know when it’s time to charge the phone before it turns off. Kidseeshows the current battery percentage and sends alerts when the level becomes critically low.
• Content web filtering.Automatically block 18+ content and manually add unwanted websites to a block list. Helps prevent accidental in-app purchases.
• Reward system. Allow children to earn extra screen time by completing tasks and showing responsible behavior.
• Transparency for children. They can see the limits that are set, receive notifications about remaining screen time, and view their own device usage statistics.

Price: $29.99 per year or $3.99 per month (3-day free trial)

FamilyKeeper

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android

FamilyKeeper uses artificial intelligence to protect children from digital threats. The app blocks harmful content, detects cyberbullying, monitors social media activity, and sends real-time alerts when suspicious situations are detected.

Parental Control Features

• AI-powered cyberbullying protection. Artificial intelligence analyzes behavior patterns, identifies abusive language, and flags potentially dangerous situations on major social networks, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.
• Harmful content filtering. Blocks inappropriate websites, apps, and adult content. FamilyKeeperalso monitors new photos and saved images on your child’s device to detect unsafe material.
• Social media monitoring. Tracks your child’s interactions on social platforms and sends notifications if unknown profiles or phone numbers attempt to contact them.
• Screen time scheduling. Set fixed device usage times, limit access to specific applications, and review screen time history to help reduce screen addiction.
• GPS tracking with geofencing. Track your child’s location in real time, create virtual safe zones, and receive alerts when they enter or leave a defined area.
• Device battery monitoring. Get notifications when your child’s iphone battery is running low to avoid losing contact.
• Real-time alerts. Receive instant notifications about potential digital threats, suspicious activity, or attempts to access unsafe content.

Price:

Individual: $12.56 per month

Unlimited: $22.77 per month

Website: reasonlabs.com/platform/products/parental-control

Qustodio

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Kindle

Qustodio is a cross-platform parental control app with a broad set of features. Itautomatically locks devices once set screen time limits are reached, uses AI to analyze messages and search queries, and tracks activity on social media platforms.

Parental Control Features

• Content and app filtering. Block inappropriate games, websites, gambling platforms, and adult content.
• AI alerts for suspicious activity. Artificial intelligence analyzes search queries, SMS messages, and social media activity, sending alerts about potentially harmful content or risky conversations.
• Automatic screen time limits. Set daily limits for device usage to help manage screen time consistently.
• Call and SMS monitoring. View your child’s contact list, read messages, and block calls or texts from unwanted numbers.
• Family GPS tracking. Check family members’ locations on a map, view location history, and receive alerts when someone arrives at or leaves saved places.
• Detailed activity reports. Get daily and weekly reports and customize real-time notifications.

Website: qustodio.com

Price:

Basic: $54.95 per year

Complete: $99.95 per year

Google Family Link

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android

Google Family Link is a free parental control app from Google that is fully integrated with the company’s ecosystem of services. Itlets parents manage controls for Google Chrome, the Play Store, YouTube, and Google Search, set daily screen time limits with separate schedules for school days and weekends, and manage app installation permissions.

Family Link works only with supervised Google accounts and is best suited for parents who actively use Google services and want a free solution with basic monitoring features.

Parental Control Features

• Daily screen time limits. Set daily device usage limits with customizable schedules for different days.
• Content control across Google services. Manage parental controls for Chrome, the Play Store, YouTube, and Google Search. Block inappropriate websites, require approval for new installations, and manage permissions for programs and websites..
• Child account management. Access and manage your child’s Google Account settings from one place.
• Individual app management. Set separate usage time limits for specific applications.
• Location tracking on a map. View the real-time location of all your children’s devices, as long as the device is turned on and connected to the internet.
• Google Play integration. Control purchases and downloads from Google Play.

Price: Free

Website:

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.kids.familylink

apps.apple.com/us/app/google-family-link/id1150085200

Parental Control Kroha

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android

Parental Control Kroha combines screen time management, content blocking, location tracking, and activity monitoring to help children use their smartphones safely and responsibly. A single account allows parents to manage up to five devices at the same time.

Parental Control Features

• App and device blocking. Set time limits for individual programs, block games and social media, and create schedules for family time, sleep, and study. All settings can be managed remotely.
• Web and YouTube activity monitoring. Filter websites, review YouTube watch history, and block inappropriate content.
• GPS tracking. Track your child’s real-time location on a map, set geofences, and receive alerts when they leave a designated area.
• App usage statistics. View detailed daily and weekly reports showing how much time is spent in each installed program.
• Eye protection and night mode. Reduce eye strain by filtering harmful blue light. Adjust color temperature, screen intensity, and enable night mode.
• Battery level indicator. Monitor the battery level on your child’s device and receive notifications when the battery is running low.

Website: parental-control.net

Price:

1 month: $4.99 per month

1 year: $1.50 per month

FamiSafe

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android, Windows, Mac

FamiSafe focuses on protecting children from cyberbullying and harmful content on social media. This parental control app detects risky chats, abusive messages, and suspicious interactions on platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. It also identifies sensitive keywords and sexual images on a child’s device.

FamiSafe is well suited for parents who are concerned about teens’ online safety on social platforms and want to receive alerts about potential risks.

Parental Control Features

• Social media monitoring. Detects dangerous chats, cyberbullying, harassment, and suspicious messages on platforms including WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Discord, and sends alerts to parents when potential threats are identified.
• Content monitoring. Recognizes keywords and related emojis linked to topics such as drugs, addiction, depression, or self-harm, and detects sexual images on the device.
• Call and message monitoring. Tracks phone calls and text messages with keyword detection capabilities.
• Screen time control. Set custom device usage limits, with less screen time on school days and more on weekends.
• Website and app blocking. Filters inappropriate websites and blocks adult content, including pornographic material, dating platforms, and certain games.
• Online activity monitoring. Shows app usage time, visited websites, and watched videos on YouTube and TikTok.
• GPS location tracker. Tracks current location and movement history.
• Remote screen view. Take screenshots of the child’s screen remotely.
• One-way audio monitoring. Listen to surrounding sounds through the local audio tracker.
• SOS emergency button. Allows a child to send an emergency SOS alert with precise location details when they feel unsafe and need immediate help.

Website: famisafe.wondershare.com

Price:

Annual plan: $4.99 per month

Monthly plan: $9.99 per month

Norton Family

Platforms: Windows, iPhone/iOS, Android

Norton Family is a parental control app developed by the well-known cybersecurity company Norton. It is included in Norton 360 Deluxe and Premium plans. Itallows parents to view search queries and videos, set screen time limits, block inappropriate content, and receive detailed activity reports by email.

Parental Control Features

• Device screen time control. Set time limits or schedule specific days and hours when devices can be used.
• Web monitoring. Monitor the websites your child visits and block inappropriate or harmful content.
• Installed monitoring app. Get insights into which applications are being installed on your child’s device.
• School Time mode. Create a list of educational websites that remain accessible during school hours and block distracting sites.
• Location tracking. View the location of Android and iPhone devices on a map, with up to 30 days of location history.
• Favorite locations with geofencing. Set approved physical boundaries and receive alerts when they arrive at or leave a designated area.
• Detailed activity reports. Receive reports about online activity directly by email or view them through the parent dashboard.

Website: norton.com

Price: $49.99 per year

Mobicip

Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Kindle, Chromebook

Mobicip is a comprehensive parental control app designed to manage screen time, block apps, and filter unwanted content. It helps protect children online, track their location, and build healthy digital habits across all major devices.

Parental Control Features

• Screen time limits and schedules. Set daily device usage limits and create custom schedules for study time, sleep, and family activities.
• Category-based app blocking. Block distracting applications by category and limit access to specific applications.
• Adult content filtering. Uses an AI-powered web filter to block pornography, violent content, and unsafe websites.
• Messenger controls. Restrict access to chats, text messages, and messaging platforms during school hours or before bedtime.
• Social media monitoring. Track activity on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, and receive alerts about cyberbullying or risky behavior.
• YouTube management. Block unsafe videos, allow only age-appropriate content, and review watch history.
• GPS tracking. Monitor your child’s real-time location, create safe zones, and get alerts when they enter or leave them.
• Family locator. View the current location of all family members on a map, along with their location history.
• Usage reports. Access detailed reports on applicationusage, visited websites, and total screen time.
• Tamper protection. Prevent children from deleting the parental control app or bypassing set restrictions.
• App installation alerts. Receive notifications when your child installs new programs on their iPhone.

Website: mobicip.com

Price:

Lite: $2.99 per month

Standard: $4.99 per month

Premium: $7.99 per month

Bark

Platforms: iPhone, Android, Chromebook, Kindle Fire

Bark is a parental control app with a powerful content monitoring system that scans more than 30 social media platforms, text messages, email, and web searches. Ituses artificial intelligence to detect potential threats, including cyberbullying, pornography, and violence.

Parental Control Features

• Threat alerts. Detects risks such as cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, violence, pornographic content, and drug-related activity. Parents receive personalized alerts along with recommendations from safety experts.
• Saved media monitoring. Scans web searches, saved photos, and videos to identify unsafe or inappropriate content.
• Website and app blocking. Decide which programs and websites are allowed by blocking entire categories or specific resources to filter inappropriate content.
• Screen time schedules. Create custom app usage schedules or pause internet access entirely during school hours or sleep time.
• GPS tracking. Track your child’s real-time location.
• Location alerts and check-ins. Set up automatic location alerts or allow your child to send quick check-in messages with their current location.

Website: bark.us

Price:

Bark Premium: $14 per month or $99 per year

Bark Jr: $5 per month or $49 per

Net Nanny

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android, Windows, macOS

Net Nanny stands out for its unique web filtering technology that analyzes the content of individual web pages in real time. Instead of blocking entire websites, Net Nanny checks each page before it loads and determines whether it is safe for a child, blocking only unsafe sections. The app sends instant alerts when it detects attempts to access pornography, drug-related content, weapons, or suicide-related material, giving parents a high level of control.

Parental Control Features

• Intelligent web filter. Analyzes individual web pages in real time rather than blocking entire websites, determining whether each page is safe before it loads.
• Unsafe content alerts. Sends immediate notifications when a child attempts to view inappropriate or dangerous content.
• App blocking and review. View the list of installed applications and decide which ones to allow and which to block.
• Screen time management. Set daily device usage limits and adjust restrictions as needed.
• Family GPS locator. View children’s locations on a family map and review location history.

Website: netnanny.com

Price:

1 device: $39.99 per year

5 devices: $54.99 per year

20 devices: $89.99 per year

Screen Time

Platforms: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android, Kindle Fire

Screen Time is an app designed to help parents manage screen time, apps, web content, and location tracking. It gives parents a clear view of their children’s digital behavior, making it easier to set clear rules, encourage healthy habits, and reduce screen dependency without constant conflict.

Parental Control Features

• Daily time limits. Set daily device usage limits to prevent excessive screen time.
• Tasks and rewards system. Assign chores or study tasks that children must complete to earn extra device time.
• Blocking schedules. Create periods when the device is automatically locked, such as during sleep or homework time.
• Free Play mode. Temporarily disable restrictions when needed, for example while traveling.
• New app approvals. Receive alerts when a new application is downloaded and choose whether to approve or block its use.
• Usage statistics. See which programs your child uses most and how much time is spent in each one.
• Web activity history. Monitor browsing history to help ensure safe internet use.
• GPS location tracking. Check current location and review movement routes.
• Geofencing with alerts. Get notifications when your child arrives at or leaves a specific location.

Website: screentimelabs.com

Price: Premium plan — $6.99 per month

mSpy

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android

mSpy is a parental control app with an advanced level of monitoring that runs in stealth mode, without an icon on the home screen. Itrecords every keystroke, takes regular screenshots, and allows parents to remotely activate the camera on Android devices. mSpy provides access to private messenger content, including WhatsApp, Snapchat, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and Tinder.

Parental Control Features

• Keylogger. Records every keystroke on the child’s phone, showing exactly what is typed in any app or message.
• Screen recording. Automatically captures screenshots of on-device activity and uploads them to the control dashboard.
• Private messenger monitoring. View messages, photos, and videos from WhatsApp, Snapchat, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Tinder, and Google Chat.
• Keyword alerts. Create a list of keywords and receive notifications when those words appear in chats or search queries.
• Photo and video access. View all images and videos stored on the child’s iPhone, including media shared through messengers, with date and time stamps.
• Detailed call logs. Review full call history with timestamps, call duration, and contact details.
• GPS tracking with route history. Track current location on a map and review detailed movement history.
• Geofencing with alerts. Mark safe zones on the map and receive alerts when your child enters or leaves them.
• Browser history monitoring. See which websites your child visited and exactly when.
• Website and app blocking. Block adult websites, gambling platforms, or specific programswith a single click.
• Remote camera activation. Remotely turn on the camera on an Android device to see what’s happening around the phone in real time.

Website: mspy.com

Price:

1 month: $48.99 per month

3 months: $27.99 per month

12 months: $11.96 per month

Aura

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android

Aura is a reliable digital guardian designed to keep the entire family safe online. The app makes it easy to set screen time limits, block unsafe content, and receive instant alerts about cyberbullying. It is a comprehensive parental control solution that helps children develop healthy digital habits while exploring the internet safely.

Parental Control Features

• In-game safety monitoring. Monitors voice and text chat in over 200 popular online games and sends alerts about cyberbullying, online predators, and scams.
• Website and app blocking. Completely block or set time limits for specific apps, games, and websites.
• Screen time limits. Set individual time limits, filters, and schedules for each kid.
• SafeSearch feature. Enable safe search with one tap to filter explicit content in Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo search results.
• Pause the Internet. Instantly turn off internet access on a child’s iPhone.
• Detailed usage reports. Get a clear overview of screen time across all family devices.
• Family data protection. Monitors the family’s personal information and sends alerts about potential data breaches (Family plan only).
• Antivirus and VPN. Protects all family devices from viruses, hacking, and malware, and includes a VPN with 100+ virtual locations (Family plan only).
• Spam protection. Blocks spam calls and messages using AI technology (Family plan only).

Website: www.aura.com/parental-controls

Price

Kids: $10 per month

Family: $32 per month

MMGuardian

Platforms: iPhone/iOS, Android

MMGuardian is a parental control app that provides full access to a child’s messages—not just threat alerts. Parents can read every SMS and conversations across popular messaging apps, including Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and Discord. MMGuardianuses AI to analyze content and detect potentially dangerous situations such as cyberbullying, sexting, drug-related activity, violence, and suicidal ideation.

Parental Control Features

• Full message access. Read all SMS messages and chats in Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and Discord.
• AI-based message analysis. Scans texts and chats using artificial intelligence and sends alerts about sexting, cyberbullying, grooming, drugs, violence, and suicidal thoughts.
• Image analysis. Detects adult or sexually explicit images stored on the child’s iPhone or sent via MMS messages.
• Web search monitoring. Tracks search queries and sends alerts if they indicate risky topics or concerning interests.
• Detailed activity reports. Provides comprehensive reports covering text messages, app usage, web browsing, and voice calls.
• App management. Control and block specific apps to tailor the digital environment to your child’s needs.
• Screen time limits. Set usage limits for the device as a whole or for individual applications.
• Web filtering. Manage internet access by blocking unsafe websites or disabling web browsing entirely.
• GPS tracking. View your kid’s phone location at any time.
• Call and contact blocking. Block communication with unknown numbers or specific contacts you do not approve of.
• Remote control. Quickly lock or unlock your child’s iPhone remotely.

Website: mmguardian.com

Price: starting from $4.99 per month

How to Choose a Parental Control App

Choosing the right parental control app depends on your child’s age, daily habits, and how much control you actually need. There is no universal solution for every family, so it’s important to rely on practical criteria rather than marketing promises.

• Preschoolers and young children (up to age 10) need strong protection. At this age, kids can easily stumble across harmful content without understanding how to filter it. Choose an app that automatically blocks adult websites, violent games, and one-click purchases.
• Preteens (ages 10–13) use the internet more actively. They search for school information, chat in messengers, and watch YouTube. Balance matters here. A complete internet ban often leads to frustration and social isolation. Look for apps with safe website allowlists and clear screen time control. Social media monitoring can help, but avoid reading private messages. Focus instead on tracking new contacts and suspicious activity.
• Teenagers (ages 14–17) require a very different approach. Strict control feels like distrust and usually pushes teens to find ways around it. At this stage, a parental control app should support dialogue, not surveillance. Shift the focus to time management and mindful content consumption rather than constant monitoring.

Key Features to Look For

• Age-based content filtering. Restrictions should adjust as your child grows. What makes sense for a six-year-old becomes unreasonable for a fifteen-year-old. Choose apps with flexible filtering categories.
• Screen time tracking. This helps manage device dependence. The best tools show clear statistics by app and website, not just total hours.
• Location tracking. Useful for school-age children. Safe zone alerts notify you when a child leaves or enters approved areas. Treat this as a safety feature, not a surveillance tool.

Technical Factors That Matter

• Performance impact. The app should not slow down the device. Check user reviews for battery drain and memory usage.
• Protection against removal. Children are more tech-savvy than many parents expect. Look for apps with admin passwords or removal protection.
• Support quality. Contact customer support before buying. Response speed and clarity say a lot about the service.
• Price vs. value. Higher cost does not always mean better quality. Some expensive apps include features you may never use, while simpler tools can solve your exact needs. List your must-have features and compare options.
• Privacy policy. You are trusting a company with your family member’s location and online activity.Make sure the data is encrypted and not sold to third parties.

One tip: talk to your child before installing a parental control app. Secret monitoring damages trust faster than most online risks. Explain why the app is needed and agree on clear rules together. Cooperation works far better than control by force.

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