Apple to roll out Ask to Browse and redesigned Screen Time in child safety update
Apple’s fall software updates will add Ask to Browse, Time Allowances, a redesigned Screen Time, and new tools for child accounts across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Apple has previewed a child safety update for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that will add Ask to Browse, Time Allowances, a redesigned Screen Time, and new developer tools for age-appropriate app experiences.
The features are due this fall through the Screen Time update in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. Apple said the changes are designed to give parents more direct control over the content children can access, the people they can contact, and the times when apps are available.
The update puts child accounts at the center of Apple’s safety system. Child accounts are required for children under 13, although the minimum age varies by country and region, and are available for children up to 18.
Once a child account is created, Apple applies age-based protections across the device, including adult website limits, age-appropriate media settings, and App Store restrictions. Parents will also be able to start a child’s device with a small group of essential apps, a recommended starter set, or a custom selection.
Apple is also extending parental approval beyond App Store downloads. Ask to Browse will let parents require children to request permission before accessing a new website in Safari across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Child accounts become the control layer
Apple’s update turns the child account setup process into the main route for applying parental controls across Apple devices. Parents are guided through creating a child account when setting up a new device for a child.
The new setup flow will let parents choose which apps are available immediately, rather than giving children broad access and adjusting settings later. Additional apps can still be approved over time through Ask to Buy.
The Safari approval feature is the bigger shift for schools and families managing access beyond apps. Ask to Browse gives parents a way to approve individual websites, adding a web-level control to Apple’s existing App Store permission model.
Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health and Fitness, says: "At Apple, our mission has always been to create technology that empowers people and enriches their lives, while helping keep them safe. Our approach to helping families create safer digital experiences is grounded in the belief that every child is unique. That’s why we build simple and intuitive tools, based on expert guidance, to let parents tailor their kids’ digital journey. Today, we’re introducing major updates to help families thoughtfully establish age-based protections and develop healthy digital habits."
Screen Time moves closer to real-time controls
Apple is redesigning Screen Time so parents can see a child’s average device use and most-used apps more quickly. The updated view will also let parents make immediate changes to app and web access.
Time Allowances will let parents set boundaries for categories including Entertainment, Games, and Social Media. Apple said the feature will provide age-based guidance informed by expert research, with parents able to adjust limits themselves.
Daily Schedules will let parents decide which apps children can access at different times of day and across the week. Apple said parents could use Schedules to manage access during school time or other periods when children need to stay focused.
Parents will also be able to extend access if a child needs more time to finish something in an app. The same redesigned Screen Time controls can be used to pause or limit access during meals, outdoor play, or other family routines.
Apple is also updating Communication Safety. The existing feature, which is turned on by default for users under 18 and blurs nudity detected in Messages and FaceTime calls, will now intervene when gore or violent content is detected in shared images or videos.
Developers get age-range and content tools
Apple is adding developer tools alongside the parent-facing controls, putting more responsibility on app makers to support age-appropriate experiences inside apps.
SensitiveContentAnalysis is designed to help developers protect children from inappropriate content such as violence or nudity. PermissionKit can help developers build approval flows when children want to add new in-app contacts.
The Declared Age Range API will allow developers to request a child’s age range and tailor app experiences without receiving the child’s birthday. Apple said the approach is designed to protect privacy while still giving developers a signal they can use to adjust content and features.
Apple is also working with the American Academy of Pediatrics to adapt its Family Media Plan into guidance for parents using Apple products. A new dedicated website for parents will provide information on Apple’s child safety tools and answer common setup questions.
Existing family tools include Screen Time Passcode Notifications, Apple Watch For Your Kids, and User Reporting Tools. Apple said User Reporting Tools, which allow harmful content to be reported directly to Apple in certain countries and regions, will be expanded globally.
The new child safety features will be available after users install the Screen Time update in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. Apple said the features are subject to change before release.
