Apple Rolls Out New Child Safety Features With iOS 27

Apple has released a new set of parental control tools across iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, giving parents more control over the content their children see, who they can communicate with, and how much time they spend in apps.

The tools were first previewed in June and are now live with the latest software updates. They build on Apple's existing parental controls rather than replacing them, and most of the changes live inside a reworked Screen Time.

Ask to Browse

A new feature called Ask to Browse lets parents require approval before a child visits a new website in Safari. When a child tries to open a site they have not accessed before, the request is sent to the parent, who can approve or deny it.

Expanded Communication Safety

Apple has widened the scope of Communication Safety, the feature that detects and blurs sensitive content in Messages and other apps. Previously focused on nudity, it now also blocks gore and violent content in shared images and videos. Apple says the protection extends to live FaceTime calls as well.

Time Allowances

Time Allowances offer age tailored suggestions for how long children spend in specific app categories, including Social Media, Entertainment, and Games. Apple describes the recommendations as expert informed starting points that parents can adjust rather than fixed limits.

A Redesigned Screen Time

Screen Time has been redesigned to give parents an at a glance view of a child's usage, along with one tap controls to change access on the spot. The update is the delivery mechanism for the rest of the new features, and it requires every device in a family to be current.

Simpler Setup and Guidance From Experts

New child accounts now start with a recommended set of essential apps, which Apple says is meant to make initial setup faster. Apple also says the features were shaped with input from online safety and health experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics. Apple is working with the AAP to adapt its Family Media Plan into a reference guide for parents using Apple devices.

Apple has launched a dedicated child safety website with details on the tools and how to get started.

Availability

The new features are available now through the Screen Time update in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27.

To use the update, every device in a Family Sharing group must be running iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27.

Apple notes that some features may not be available in all regions, in all languages, or on all models.