Whether you need to create Family Sharing, add your child to an iPhone or iPad, share apps, or turn on parental controls, get step-by-step help tailored to your family’s setup.
Tell us whether you’re starting from scratch, adding a child account, or fixing Screen Time, purchases, or sharing issues so we can point you to the right next steps.
Parents often search for how to set up Family Sharing for kids because the process changes depending on your child’s age, whether they already have an Apple ID, and whether you’re setting up an iPhone or iPad. This page is designed to help you create a Family Sharing account for a child, add a child to Family Sharing, and make sure parental controls, app sharing, and purchase settings are configured the way you expect.
Get guidance on setting up Family Sharing on iPhone or iPad for kids, including the parent organizer role and the basic account structure Apple uses.
Learn how to add a child to Family Sharing, create a child Apple ID when needed, and avoid common setup issues that can block invitations or account creation.
Set up Screen Time, purchase approvals, app sharing, and content settings so your child’s Apple device works the way you intend from the start.
Understand the order of steps for linking your child’s iPhone to your family group and confirming that purchases, location, and Screen Time settings are connected properly.
Get help with iPad-specific setup details, especially when the device is mainly used at home, shared with siblings, or being configured for school and entertainment.
See how app sharing works for kids, when Ask to Buy matters, and why some apps, subscriptions, or purchases may not appear the way parents expect.
If Family Sharing is already set up but something feels off, the problem is often tied to account roles, age settings, Screen Time permissions, or purchase-sharing expectations. A short assessment can help narrow down whether you need to create the child account differently, adjust parental controls, or review how apps and purchases are being shared across devices.
Make sure the child device is connected to the intended Family Sharing group and not using a separate Apple ID setup that limits sharing or controls.
Check that Screen Time and content restrictions are set from the correct parent account and are active on the child Apple device you want to manage.
Confirm whether app sharing, purchase approvals, subscriptions, and location sharing are enabled in a way that supports your family’s day-to-day use.
You’ll usually begin by creating a family group from the parent organizer account, then either adding your child’s existing Apple ID or creating a child account during setup. The exact steps can vary based on your child’s age and whether you’re setting up an iPhone or iPad.
Yes. Apple allows parents to create a child account as part of Family Sharing. This is often the best option when you want parental controls, purchase approvals, and shared services connected from the beginning.
Adding your child to Family Sharing connects their account to your family group. Screen Time is a separate set of parental control settings that you can manage once the child account is part of the family. Many parents need both steps for a complete setup.
App sharing depends on purchase sharing being enabled and on whether the app developer allows sharing. Some apps, subscriptions, and in-app purchases may not be shareable, so it’s common for parents to need help figuring out why a specific app is not appearing on a child device.
Common reasons include using the wrong Apple ID on the child device, incomplete invitation acceptance, age-related account restrictions, Screen Time being configured from the wrong account, or purchase-sharing settings not being enabled as expected.
Answer a few questions about your child’s device, account status, and what isn’t working to get focused next steps for Family Sharing, parental controls, and app sharing.
Answer a Few QuestionsExplore more assessments in this topic group.
See related assessments across this category.
Find more parenting assessments by category and topic.
Device Setup For Kids
Device Setup For Kids
Device Setup For Kids
Device Setup For Kids