How to Set Up a Kid-Safe Phone (iOS & Android)

Learn how to make any smartphone or tablet safer for kids using built-in iOS and Android settings. A practical, step-by-step guide for parents.

Also for many parents who intentionally limit screen time, there are still rare occasions where a smartphone or tablet can support a child’s learning. Like using Spotify to listen to an audiobook on a long car ride, or opening a vocabulary app for a few minutes of focused practice. While experts broadly recommend waiting until at least age 12 before a child owns a personal device, shared or supervised use can sometimes complement offline learning, but it should be set up thoughtfully. In these moments, knowing how to create a safe, child-friendly environment on your devices becomes especially valuable. This guide will walk you through step-by-step methods to child-proof devices in two common scenarios:

1. Temporarily letting your child use your device: We’ll cover built-in tools like Guided Access on iOS and Screen Pinning on Android that effectively lock your phone to a single app , so your child can’t roam freely.
   
   

2. Setting up a dedicated kid device: If you decide to give your child their own device (or a hand-me-down one), we’ll explain how to create a heavily restricted environment by using parental controls, restricted profiles/accounts, grayscale display, limited apps, time limits, and more. We’ll also note the limitations of these measures (spoiler: no setup is foolproof, so supervision is still important).
   
   

Throughout, keep in mind that while technology can help enforce boundaries, nothing replaces an involved parent. These tools are like training wheels, they are useful for a time, but eventually we want kids to learn healthy device habits themselves.

In those occasional moments, such as letting your child listen to an audiobook during a long car ride or use a vocabulary app for a short practice session, it’s reassuring to know they won’t accidentally exit the app, swipe into your messages, or start exploring unrelated content. Tools like Guided Access (iOS) and Screen Pinning (Android) let you lock the device to a single app, helping your child stay focused on the intended activity without the distractions that come with an open smartphone interface (see our post on The Myth of Multitasking: How Screens Affect Focus & Learning).

• On iPhone/iPad (Guided Access): Go to Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access and enable it (see video above). Open the app your child will use, then triple-click the home button (on older iPhones/iPads) or the side power button (on newer models) to activate Guided Access. This locks the device to that app. You can even disable certain areas of the screen or the volume buttons if needed. To exit, triple-click and enter your passcode. Now, your child can’t quit the app or mess with other features until you unlock it.
  
  

• On Android (Screen Pinning): In Settings → Security , enable App Pinning or Screen Pinning (different naming by Android version, just search for “Pinning”). Launch the app for your child, then tap the Recent Apps button and pin that app (tap its icon and select “Pin”). The phone will stay locked to that app until you unpin by using a specific button combo (often Back + Overview) and your unlock code. This prevents your child from switching apps or hitting Home to escape the pinned app.
  
  

Using these features, you can confidently lend your device to your child without worrying they’ll send emails or browse the web. Just remember to disable notifications or switch to airplane mode if you don’t want texts/calls popping up while the phone is in your child’s hands.

Perhaps you have an old smartphone or tablet that you’re ready to repurpose for your child, or you’ve decided to buy a kid-friendly device. While we still recommend supervising device use and having clear time limits (especially for under-12s), you can configure the device to be as child-safe as possible. The goal is a setup where only approved apps are accessible, the interface is simple, and there are locks on purchasing or settings changes.

We’ll break this down by platform since each has its own parental control ecosystem.

If you’re handing an iPhone or iPad to a child to use regularly, take advantage of Apple’s robust Screen Time and Family Sharing features:

1. Family Sharing & Child Account: Create a child Apple ID through Family Sharing (on your iPhone, go to Settings → [Your Name] → Family Sharing → Add Member). Using a managed child account puts you in control of permissions remotely.
   
   

2. Enable Screen Time: On the child’s iPhone/iPad, go to Settings → Screen Time . Turn it on and indicate it’s for a child’s device. Set a Screen Time passcode that only you know. This passcode will be required to extend time limits or change restrictions.
   
   

3. Downtime & App Limits: Go to Settings → Screen Time → Downtime or App Limits to schedule “Downtime” (e.g. device not usable from 8 PM to 7 AM, or during school hours) and set daily App Limits (e.g. 1 hour per day on games or specific apps). Once the time is up, the app icon grays out and can’t be opened without the passcode.
   
   

4. Content & Privacy Restrictions: In Screen Time settings, enable content restrictions. For example, restrict web content to child-friendly sites, set age ratings for apps and media, and disallow explicit content. Under iTunes & App Store Purchases, require a password for all purchases or installations. You can even prevent app deletion or installing apps entirely.
   
   

5. Allowed Apps Only: Hide or delete any apps you don’t want your child to use. You can use the Allowed Apps section to turn off built-in apps like Safari, Camera, or Mail if those aren’t needed. Essentially, curate the Home Screen to only show the apps you approve (educational games, audiobook apps, etc.).
   
   

6. Ask to Buy: If using Family Sharing, turn on Ask to Buy for the child’s account. This way, if your child attempts to download a new app, you get an approval request on your device. They cannot download without your OK.
   
   

With these measures, an iPad can be transformed into a mostly kid-safe gadget . Your child will only see and use what you’ve permitted. If they try to access something outside the walled garden, the device will prompt them for the passcode (bringing them back to you).

Android doesn’t have a one-stop solution as seamless as Apple’s Screen Time, but you can achieve similar protections:

1. Google Family Link: This free app is Google’s parental control hub. Install Family Link on your phone and create a Google Account for your child through it. Then sign that account in on the child’s device. With Family Link, you can set daily screen time limits and device bedtimes, remotely lock the device, and approve or block app downloads. The child’s device will obey these rules (e.g. it becomes unusable after a set bedtime). You’ll also get weekly activity reports.
   
   

2. Restrict Play Store Content: On the child’s device, open the Google Play Store settings and enable parental controls. Set an age rating limit for apps, games, movies, etc. and require authentication for purchases. This ensures your child can’t download apps above a certain maturity rating or make purchases without your permission.
   
   

3. Limited User Profile (if available): Some Android tablets allow adding a restricted user profile . This lets you pick exactly which apps are accessible in that profile. If your device supports this, you could create a profile for your child that only has, say, a drawing app and a math game, with everything else (browser, YouTube, email) blocked. When the child uses the tablet, you switch to the restricted profile.
   
   

4. Third-Party Kid Launchers: If Family Link or profiles aren’t sufficient, you can install a kid-friendly launcher app (such as “Kids Place” or others). These launchers replace the home screen with a simplified, PIN-protected interface where only approved apps are shown. Be cautious and read reviews – stick to reputable ones, as you’ll be granting them control over your home screen.
   
   

By using these Android tools, you can set up a tablet/phone that’s only as functional as it needs to be for your child. For example, an Android tablet might end up with just YouTube Kids (with restricted settings), a few games, and a kids’ e-book app – everything else locked down.

If you’re lending your child a phone for listening to audiobooks, practicing vocabulary, or using a learning app, you can go a step beyond parental controls to create a more focused, distraction-free experience. A few small settings changes can make the device feel more like a tool and less like a toy.

1. Use grayscale to reduce visual overstimulation

Color is one of the main ways apps grab attention. Switching the display to grayscale (black-and-white) makes games and videos feel less exciting, which can help naturally shorten sessions.

• On iOS : Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Color Filters → Grayscale

• On Android : Digital Wellbeing → Bedtime Mode → Screen Options → Grayscale, or enable Developer Options → Simulate color space → Monochromacy

2. Reduce motion and animations

Animations and screen effects subtly increase stimulation. Disabling them makes device use feel calmer and less addictive.

• On iOS : Settings → Accessibility → Motion → Reduce Motion

• On Android : Go to Developer Options (enable it via Settings → About Phone → tap “Build number” 7x), then set all animation scales (Window, Transition, Animator) to 0.5x or Off

3. Limit access to apps you actually approve

Your child doesn’t need email, browsers, or app stores. These can be fully turned off so the phone becomes a focused tool with just a few selected apps.

• On iOS : Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Allowed Apps

• On Android : Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Disable, or use Family Link to restrict access

4. Try Assistive Access (iOS only) for a truly simplified interface

If you want to give your child access to just one or two apps (like Spotify or a flashcard app), iOS 17’s Assistive Access creates a clean, distraction-free home screen with only those apps shown. Icons are large and easy to use, and exiting requires a passcode.

• On iOS: Go to Settings → Accessibility → Assistive Access. Follow the setup steps to choose apps, pick a layout (grid or row), and set a passcode. To activate it, triple-click the side or top button. This turns the iPhone into a focused, calm tool, perfect for short, supervised sessions with zero distractions.

On Android : While there’s no direct equivalent, you can use Screen Pinning (Settings → Security → Screen Pinning) to lock the phone to a single app. For more advanced restrictions, third-party apps like Kids Place or SureLock offer similar “kiosk mode” functionality.

Even with the best tech settings in place, no parental control system is perfect. Tools like screen time limits, app restrictions, and content filters can help but they’re not foolproof. Kids are curious and tech-savvy. Some may find workarounds, like using voice assistants to open apps, guessing PINs, or stumbling into new content you haven’t had time to review yet. Software bugs happen. New updates bring new loopholes. That’s why these tools should be seen as a first layer of protection, not the whole solution .

What really matters is staying involved. Keep the conversation open: talk to your child about screentime and online safety, explain your choices, and be clear about what’s okay and what’s not. For example: “Screens are designed to grab attention and keep people watching, even adults. But your brain is still growing, and too much screen time can make it harder to focus, sleep, or feel good. That’s why we keep screen use short and choose carefully what we watch or play.” As your child grows, invite them into the process of setting limits as this builds trust and helps them learn self-regulation gradually.

It also helps to keep certain boundaries consistent at home: device-free dinners, screen-free bedrooms, or simply putting devices away during bedtime routines. When kids learn early that “we don’t scroll after dark” or “family meals are phone-free,” those habits stick and they’ll be far more likely to carry them into adolescence.

We dive deeper into the latest research on kids’ screentime in our article Screens and Kids: What Science Tells Us (and What It Doesn’t). One of the core recommendations? No personal devices under age 12 . Children under that age simply aren’t ready to handle the full responsibility that comes with a smartphone or tablet. Instead, consider lending your own device for occasional use and locking it to a single app or audiobook. That way, your child enjoys tech in a way that’s intentional, limited, and guided without wandering off into digital chaos.

Setting up a secure, restricted device does take a bit of effort upfront. But it buys you peace of mind. Pair that with real-world play, honest conversations, and age-appropriate alternatives like audiobooks or screen-free storytelling, and you’re not just “limiting screen time”, you’re actively shaping healthier digital habits for the long run.

1. Remember: smartphones are made for adults, not kids 
   Just like coffee or alcohol, smartphones are designed for grown-up brains with impulse control and maturity. Handing over a personal device too early can overwhelm a developing mind with long-term consequences. Instead, only lend your device for specific moments, like listening to an audiobook or using a learning app and take it back when time’s up.
   
   

2. If you do allow a personal device, lock it down 
   Even if you trust your child completely, don’t trust the algorithms. Set strict screen time limits, restrict app access, and turn off web browsing and app stores. It’s not about mistrust, it’s because no child can compete with platforms built to hijack attention.
   
   

3. Prioritize content that supports creativity, not just consumption 
   Choose activities that let kids imagine and engage, not just passively scroll. Audiobooks, podcasts, and hands-on learning apps with a clear start and end are far better than autoplay videos or infinite games.
   
   

4. Create healthy defaults from day one 
   Screen-free dinners, no devices in bedrooms, and a calm wind-down routine protect attention, sleep, and family connection. These boundaries become second nature if started early.
   
   

5. Explain the ‘why,’ not just the ‘what’ 
   Let your child know that screen limits exist because their brain is still growing. Too much screen time can affect how they focus, sleep, and feel. Framing limits with empathy, like “we’re helping your brain stay strong”, as this builds trust and long-term self-regulation.