iOS 26: a new level of parental controls

Child accounts with automatic protection

Previously, creating an Apple ID for a child required several steps:

• age verification;
• enabling restrictions;
• settings like Ask to Buy, Screen Time, etc.

In iOS 26, all you need to do is enter your date of birth and the system will automatically activate all basic security settings. If your child is using an «adult» account, parents will be reminded to switch it to child mode. This will give them immediate access to the full suite of control options.

Age ranges instead of exact date of birth

Instead of a specific date of birth, Apple is introducing an age range (e.g., 13–17). This increases privacy, and parents can now decide for themselves whether they want to share their child’s exact age with apps. The child themselves will not be able to change the settings without the family organizer’s permission.

New App Store ratings

The App Store will get a five-level age rating scale (13+, 16+, 18+). If a game or app doesn’t meet the selected level, it won’t even appear in the Today or Games sections.

To grant permission, you need to change the Ask to Buy settings. You can also revoke access here, and the app will disappear from your device without deleting any data.

iOS 26 will actually relieve parents of the burden of manual security settings. If before that you had to remember a bunch of little things, now the system will turn on protection itself. Thanks to this, it will become easier to provide your child with a safe digital space. And for a new smartphone, you can visit the Grokholsky online store.