Apple’s new iOS 16 gives parents better control over their kids’ devices. What to know
Parents can more easily monitor their children’s screen time and set age-appropriate restrictions in the new iOS 16, Apple announced on Monday, June 6.
Apple revealed the additions to its new iOS during its Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. In addition to new parental controls, Apple users will see noticeable changes on their lock screen, in Messages and with their device’s intelligence, among other helpful additions.
Through the “Family Sharing” feature, parents can manage their children’s Apple accounts straight from their own device.
Apple announced a new feature, “Quick Start,” which will allow users to easily set up their children’s new iPhone or iPad with all of the parental controls already in place.
“This year, we’re making it even easier to create accounts for kids and make sure the right parental controls are in place right from the start,” Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, said Monday.
Parents will be able to set age restrictions on their children’s apps, books, music and movies. They can do the same for for their kids’ purchases.
Screen time is always an important issue for parents, and the new iOS 16 offers ways to handle what can sometimes be a headache.
Kids can send a request in Messages for more screen time, and parents can approve or deny it straight from their own device in Messages. Previously, parents had to go to “Settings” to approve additional time.
A “Downtime” feature will allow parents to set a start and end time for children using their phones. During the time with restrictions, kids will still be allowed to place and accept phone calls and use allowed apps.
Up to six family members will be allowed in the “Family Sharing” feature. iOS 16 will also provide tips for organizers of the feature, including updating a child’s settings as they get older and turning on location sharing, Federighi said.
Apple also introduced a “better way to share photos with families.” The new iCloud shared photo library lets family members share photos automatically into a separate folder with up to five other people.
iOS 16 will be released this fall.
This story was originally published June 7, 2022 at 10:27 AM with the headline "Apple’s new iOS 16 gives parents better control over their kids’ devices. What to know."