iPad
Our age is 8, with restrictions. Caution because of the App Store, web browsing and messaging.
Checked October 2026.
- Our rating
- Use Caution
- Controls
- Screen Time
- Made by
- Apple
- Setup
- 9 stops, about 15 minutes
Do these three first
- Set up Family Sharing and Ask to BuySettingsFamilyAdd MemberCreate Child AccountSetting up a new iPad? Hold your iPhone next to it during setup (Quick Start) to create or choose a Child Account.
- Choose which apps, websites and shows are allowedSettingsFamilyChild's nameApps & WebsitesRestrictionsSet the app age rating, website filter and purchase settings.
- Set a Screen Time ScheduleSettingsFamilyChild's nameScreen Time ScheduleFor younger children, a short window after school and none at bedtime works well.
About iPad
What is iPad?
The iPad is a versatile tablet used for education, entertainment, creativity, and gaming. Its larger screen makes it suitable for learning apps, reading, and video content. It uses the same parental controls (Screen Time) as iPhone but is often a child's first Apple device.
Pros for Child/Teen Use
Educational Potential
The iPad excels at educational apps, reading, and creative tools like drawing and music.
Same Strong Parental Controls
Screen Time works the same way as on iPhone.
No Phone Number
Unlike iPhone, iPad doesn't have a phone number by default, reducing some contact risks.
Shared Family Device Option
iPadOS has no separate user profiles, but Screen Time restrictions apply device-wide, so a shared iPad can be locked down for its youngest user.
Apple Pencil Support
Enables creative and note-taking activities.
Cons for Child/Teen Use
Larger Screen = More Engaging
The bigger screen can be more addictive for video content.
Gaming Device
High-quality games make iPad a potent gaming device with associated concerns.
Portability
Easy to take to rooms, use under covers at night.
iMessage/FaceTime
Still enables text and video communication if set up with an Apple Account.
Key Safety Features
Same comprehensive controls as iPhone.
Set Screen Time Schedules, Time Allowances, app and website approval, and Allowed Contacts from your own device under Settings > Family. Parents can approve or decline new contacts a child wants to message or call.
Lock iPad into a single app - perfect for younger children.
Triple-click the top button to lock the iPad to one app, so a young child can't leave it.
Age Recommendations
Ages 4-7: Supervised use only with heavy restrictions, educational apps, time limits. Use Guided Access.
Ages 8-12: Moderate restrictions, educational and entertainment balance, time limits.
Ages 13+: Similar treatment to iPhone, adjusted for tablet-specific use patterns.
The complete guide includes:
- Guided Access setup for younger children
- Screen Time configuration
- iPad-specific time considerations
- Age-specific configuration recommendations
- Shared iPad management tips
Talk about it
- Which apps on the iPad do you use most, and which ones are for fun?Helps you set Time Allowances that leave room for schoolwork and play.
- What should we do when the iPad says time is up?A plan for the end of screen time makes the limit easier to accept.
- If a game asks you to buy something, what will you do?Ask to Buy sends the request to you, and talking first explains why that step is there.
- Who do you like to FaceTime or message on the iPad?Lets you agree on contacts together, since an iPad can message and call without a phone number.
The full route: 9 stops, about 15 minutes
- Start parental controls for your child
- Set a Screen Time Schedule
- Set Time Allowances
- Choose apps and people to always allow
- Choose which apps, websites and shows are allowed
- Set a Screen Time passcode
- Set up Guided Access for young childrenoptional
- Set up Family Sharing and Ask to Buy
- Test your setup
Start the setupFree to follow. With Family, your progress is saved for each child.
The complete iPad parent guide, with age-by-age settings, is part of the Family plan.
The full guide
The iPad is often a child's first personal device. Apple's parental controls cover everything from a toddler watching one app to a teen doing homework. In iPadOS 27 (September 2026) Apple redesigned them: you manage everything from your own iPhone or iPad under Settings > Family > your child's name, and several features have new names.
What Changed in iPadOS 27
| Old name (iPadOS 26 and earlier) | New name (iPadOS 27) |
|---|---|
| Downtime | Screen Time Schedule (the hours outside "Available From" and "Available Until") |
| App Limits | Time Allowances |
| Communication Limits | Allowed Contacts |
| Web Content filter | Apps & Websites > Restrictions > Filtering, plus Ask to Browse |
The new controls only switch on once every device in your Family Sharing group runs iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 or watchOS 27. Check Settings > Family > View Family Devices. Older iPads that can't update keep the iPadOS 26 version of Screen Time, managed from Settings > Screen Time > your child's name.
Before You Begin
Your child needs their own Child Account in your Family Sharing group. Apple requires one for children under 13 and offers it up to 18. Avoid signing the iPad in to your own Apple Account; the controls are tied to your child's account.
Setting Up for Young Children (Ages 4-8)
We suggest an iPad from 8, with restrictions. If a younger child already uses one, start with these settings.
Guided Access
Guided Access locks the iPad to a single app. It's built in and doesn't need Family Sharing.
- Turn on Guided Access and set a Guided Access passcode
- Open the app you want your child to use
- Triple-click the top button (or the Home button on older iPads)
- Circle any parts of the screen you want to disable, such as ads, then tap Start
To end the session, triple-click again and enter the passcode. You can also set a time limit for each session.
Kid-friendly apps
Some well-made options: YouTube Kids (instead of regular YouTube), PBS Kids Video, and Khan Academy Kids.
Strictest settings
For very young children:
- Approved Websites Only (the default under 13)
- Block Installing Apps so you install everything yourself
- Block In-app Purchases
- Pause the device outside the hours you choose
Family Sharing Setup
Create a family group
On your iPhone or iPad:
Create a Child Account
Enter your child's correct birthday; Apple uses it to set age-based protections.
Walk through the setup
Once every family device is on version 27, go to Settings > Family > your child's name and tap Get Started. Apple walks you through websites, content ratings, contacts, the daily schedule, school hours, Time Allowances, and a Screen Time passcode.
You can also set up a new iPad for your child with Quick Start: hold your iPhone next to it during setup and choose your child or Create New Child Account. During setup you can pick which apps your child starts with.
When They Can Use the iPad
Screen Time Schedule
This replaces Downtime.
Turn on Schedule, tap Add Schedule, and pick the days. Outside the available hours most apps and notifications pause. Rough starting points for the end of the day:
- Young children: 6 PM
- School age: 8 PM
- Tweens: 9 PM
Time Allowances
This replaces App Limits. Entertainment, Games and Social Media come set up by default, with a shared daily total and a limit for each.
Apple shows age-based guidance as you drag the slider. Some starting points:
| Category | Ages 4-8 | Ages 9-12 | Ages 13+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 30-60 min | 60-90 min | 90-120 min |
| Entertainment | 30 min | 60 min | 90 min |
| Social Media | none | 30 min | 60 min |
Always Allowed
Apps and people that stay available when the iPad is paused or an allowance runs out. FaceTime, Maps, Phone and Messages are included by default.
Don't add games or video apps here. Anything Always Allowed skips your schedule and allowances.
Apps, Websites and Content
Ask to Buy and App Store
- Ask to Buy: turn on Require Purchase Approval. On by default under 13.
- Age Rating: App Store ratings are 4+, 9+, 13+, 16+ and 18+
| Setting | Young Children | Tweens | Teens |
|---|---|---|---|
| App age rating | 4+ | 9+ | 13+ or 16+ |
| Installing Apps | Blocked | Allowed with Ask to Buy | Allowed with Ask to Buy |
| In-app Purchases | Blocked | Blocked | Allowed with Ask to Buy |
Websites
- Approved Websites Only: your child asks (Ask to Browse) before visiting any new site. On by default under 13 and the best fit for young children.
- Limit Adult Websites: on by default under 18
- Unrestricted
You can approve sites ahead of time, such as PBS Kids or a school site, from Apps & Websites.
Movies, TV, Music and Books
Under Content Restrictions, set age ratings for Movies, TV Shows, Books and Music. Under Other Features you can block built-in features such as Camera or AirDrop.
Communication
Allowed Contacts
This replaces Communication Limits and covers FaceTime, Messages and Phone.
- During Screen Time: Contacts Only is a good start
- When Device Paused or Unavailable: who can still get through
- Manage [Child's] Contacts: edit their contacts from your device
- Allow Contact Editing off: your child asks you before contacting anyone new
Contact approval is on by default for Child Accounts under 13.
Communication Safety
Blurs photos and videos with detected nudity, and from iPadOS 27 detected gore and violence, in Messages, AirDrop, FaceTime, shared albums and some other apps. It's on by default for children under 18. Checks happen on the iPad; Apple doesn't see the photos.
Location & Privacy
Find My
On your child's iPad:
Turn on Find My iPad, Find My network and Send Last Location.
Lock Important Settings
Block changes to Accounts, Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), Location Services and Share My Location.
Screen Time Passcode
Don't use 1234, a birthday or an easy pattern, and don't reuse the iPad's unlock code.
iPad-Specific Features
Siri
Children under 13 get Siri Classic; Siri AI (Beta) is only for 13 and up. You can block Web Content Search, Explicit Language, Image Creation and Writing Assistance.
AirDrop
On your child's iPad:
Set to Receiving Off or Contacts Only. To stop it entirely, block AirDrop under Content & Privacy Restrictions > Other Features.
Multitasking
iPads can show more than one app at a time. Schedules and allowances still apply to each app.
Checking Activity
Your child's page in Settings > Family shows their Daily Average and Most Used Today. Tap either for pickups, notifications and a week view.
YouTube on iPad
Regular YouTube has risks. Options:
- Block YouTube, use YouTube Kids
- Turn on Restricted Mode in YouTube
- A supervised YouTube experience linked to your Google account
YouTube Kids is a better starting point but not perfect. Watch together sometimes and talk about what they see.
Gaming Considerations
Game Center
Consider blocking Multiplayer Games, Connect with Friends and Private Messaging for younger children.
In-App Purchases
Many "free" games push purchases hard. Keep In-app Purchases blocked or behind Ask to Buy for young children.
Troubleshooting
Forgot the Screen Time Passcode
If you set it through Family Sharing, reset it on your own device with your device passcode, Face ID or Touch ID. If you set it on the iPad itself, reset it with your Apple Account.
Child Found the Passcode
Change it under Manage Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, and check when it was last used.
Apps Not Blocking
- Check the app isn't in Always Allowed
- Check Settings > Family > View Family Devices; the new controls need every device on version 27
- Restart the iPad
Requests Aren't Arriving
Requests come to you in Messages. Make sure iMessage is on for your Apple Account email, Messages notifications are on, and you're in your child's contacts.
Quick Setup Checklist
Additional Resources
Your child's iPad now has sensible guardrails. Adjust them as your child grows and keep talking about what they do on it.