The Best Parental Control Apps for iPhone in 2025

Navigating the digital landscape of parenting is simplified with our guide to the best parental apps for iPhone, empowering parents to safeguard their children’s online activities and promote responsible device usage.

Parents only want the best for their children. In the era of technology, that means getting them top mobile phones, and iPhones certainly fit that category. But while these gadgets are great for learning and discovering the world, they can be a danger to kids’ online safety. Unfiltered online content, internet predators, and other risks make it vital to monitor your child’s phone.

The easiest and most efficient way to do that is to find the best parental control app. Specialized monitoring software contains critical features that maximize safety and simplify keeping track of your child’s iPhone activity.

The biggest advantage of using such apps is the peace of mind you have as a parent. You can rest assured that the text messages, websites, and other phone functions used are free from harmful content. And monitoring apps ensure you always have the latest information that allows you to act swiftly when necessary.

We’ll now review the top ten best parental control apps and their features. Check out the best kid iPhone monitoring apps!

13 Best Parental Control Apps for iPhone:

1. Findmykids
2. Kids360
3. FamiSafe iPhone Parental Control
4. FamilyTime Parental Control for iPhone
5. FlexiSpy
6. Net Nanny
7. Kids Guard Pro for iOS
8. Ourpact Parental Control for iPhone
9. Mobicip iPhone Parental Control
10. Qustodio
11. Screen Time
12. Google Family Link
13. Norton Family

Best Parental Control Apps for iPhone in 2025 | Overview

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1. Findmykids

Features

• GPS location tracking, including location history
• Notifications when the child reaches a specific location
• Monitoring battery life and issuing charging reminders
• Sending a loud signal if the location feature not working or the child doesn’t pick up your phone
• A cross-platform service that also works on Android phones

Price

• $6.99 monthly / $43.49 yearly for a single device
• $118.99 for a Lifetime Family subscription

Credit: Findmykids

If you are seeking the best and cheapest child monitoring app, then you must go for Findmykids. It provides you with multiple features in a single app. You are able to get the real-time location of your kids along with the path they have chosen. You will be notified automatically when the kid reaches school or home. Also, you are able to know what is happening in their surroundings. It records the noise occurring near the child.

Isn’t it an amazing app? Of course, yes, as it is giving you complete safety assurance for your kids!

Kids can make a call in an emergency through the app or the smartwatches they have launched. During the month or weekend, you can download the statistics report of the kids’ activities and the locations they have visited.

Overall, there’s no doubt this is the best parental control software when it comes to knowing your children’s whereabouts.

One father, Jose, writes, “Wow, I’m genuinely impressed that this actually works really well. The target phone’s microphone picks up the surrounding sounds very well, almost like a professional microphone. GPS works well too.”

Pros

• Reliable information on the child’s location via GPS technology
• Officially approved by Apple for Apple Watch integration
• Fun chat to exchange messages with family members
• Compatible with all kinds of devices: smartphones, watches, tablets

Credit: Findmykids

Cons

• No quarterly or half-annual subscription plans
• It requires iOS 13 or a newer version

Download the best parental control app, Findmykids, from App Store and Google Play. It provides amazing features like live location tracking and listening to surrounding noises, and others. The best part is that you can use it for your toddlers and teenagers.

2. Kids360

Features

• Set a limit for using apps, games, and social networks, and manage time on your child’s phone
• Control internet and device usage, set screen time
• An optional kids mode for school or for relaxation time in the evening
• App usage and statistics
• Child protection and unwanted access blocking to ensure the safety of the Internet

Price: $4.99. per month with an annual payment of $29.90

Credit: Kids360

If you want to always know how much time your children spend on social networks and set time limits in entertainment apps and games on iPhone, Kids360 is your choice.

The parental monitoring app contains the mandatory control of children on the Internet. Install the Kids360 app on your phone and the Alli360 app on your child’s phone. After connecting a child’s device, the child’s screen time will be available to you. Time management features to limit screen time (scheduling, application blocking, and consumption monitoring) are available in both the trial period and paid subscription.

Overall, the Kids360 app for iPhones is a simple and powerful solution that ensures your kids’ phone activities are well-monitored and tailored to encourage healthy habits. It’s easy to block apps you don’t want them to use by locking them. Kids360 is much more extensive than the Google Family Link and other free solutions, making it an excellent value for money.

One user wrote in their review of the app, “I enjoy having Kids360 because it helps me to stay in the loop of what’s going on because our kids are exposed to so much these days that I was not. So I am glad you all are helping to make a difference!”

Pros

• There is an additional entertainment function with tasks for children. By completing a task from the parent, for example, “do homework”, the child can be rewarded with time for any application
• The application cannot be installed secretly; use is allowed only with the consent of the child
• Personal data is stored in strict accordance with the law and the GDPR policy
• The application will work on the child’s phone in the application tracker mode, and the child will not be able to uninstall it
• 24/7 technical support

Cons

• Some functions require a license subscription
• The same set of controlled applications for different schedules

3. FamiSafe iPhone Parental Control

Features

• Use screen time limits to block the child’s iPhone during nighttime or any other period
• A free trial is available for three days
• Block specific apps to prevent children from playing games or using social media
• Activate certain apps for the kid to access them even when the phone is blocked
• Suspicious photo and content detection features are integrated with this iPhone parental monitoring app
• The web filter comes with an integrated database

Price: $9.99 monthly / $19.99 quarterly / $59.99 yearly

Credit: famisafe.wondershare.com

FamiSafe is a highly advanced parental control app for iPhone users. It protects your kids from online tragedies and harm. Like other applications, it also allows you to filter content online through a series of words associated with inappropriate content. It serves as an amazing content monitoring feature that you will get a notification from YouTube if someone plays restricted videos. You can set the list of words, and when these words are searched, you will get a notification. It’s an excellent way to ensure your child is honoring the safe search rules.

FamiSafe’s other special features are image detection, phone usage time scheduling, browser history monitoring, app blocking, location tracking, and reporting of previously visited locations. This multi-tasking app can be accessed from anywhere and at any time. The app will also work on an Android phone.

One parent wrote in a review, “Good functionality, can flag for explicit words, pictures, alert if new apps are installed, etc.”

Pros

• Special school plans for monitoring students’ iOS devices
• Multiple awards for being a top-quality parenting product
• Some plans cover up to ten devices, and others up to five devices

Cons

• App blocking features occasionally don’t work properly
• After changing app limits and other settings, it takes a while to update the child’s iPhone

4. FamilyTime Parental Control for iPhone

Features

• Real-time location tracking with a visual map
• Mobile geofence feature ensures you receive info when the child’s phone leaves specific areas
• Monitor phone calls and text messages, and see saved contacts on the targeted iOS device
• App usage features inform you about the children’s screen time habits
• Use the web filter to block photos, sites, or videos from different categories

Price: $13.99 / month, $33.99 / quarterly, $68.99 / yearly

Credit: familytime.io

FamilyTime is a quick and user-friendly application for kids’ safety. It is available in different modes so that you can customize it as per your requirement. It has modes i.e. homework mode, bedtime mode, and dinner mode, etc. Geo-fencing is supported for location tracking.

The app features social media monitoring, allowing you to view your kid’s mobile apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., as well as limit screen time. If there is an emergency, then it has an SOS feature that gives you a notification immediately with their current location. This package will cost you $1.15 monthly.

A user on Google wrote, “This app is very easy to use. You can pick which apps your kids can use, monitor texts and calls, and, best of all, give them a budget of how much time they can use. I love that part! You can schedule times it is turned off, like bedtimes. There are filters as well. The online chat help is great. My daughter likes this app better than the others we tried.”

Pros

• Each plan supports using the monitoring software on up to 15 devices
• The free trial is a convenient way to try if this is the app for you
• Parents can use a mobile or web-based dashboard to monitor the child’s device

Cons

• The free version only comes with basic features
• It’s not the simplest iPhone parental monitoring app to use

5. FlexiSpy

Features

• Live audio listening with the remote microphone activation
• GPS location tracking that includes information about past movement
• Record and download incoming and outgoing calls and media on the child’s device
• Detailed information on bookmarks and websites visited
• Monitor social media apps and the usage of other software on the child’s phone

Price: From $29.95 monthly to $419 yearly

Credit: flexispy.com

FlexiSpy is strictly a monitoring software, which means you can’t set a daily limit for screen time or block apps from installation. The tool focuses on providing the most detailed information about the activity on the child’s device usage. And depending on the plan, it goes to the smallest details.

The installation is a bit tricky, but FlexiSpy offers a service that’ll help you. After setting everything up, you enter the dashboard on your PC or mobile. This is the best child monitoring app and monitoring software for comprehensive information on the child’s activity. You can even record calls via social media apps, upload files from the phone, and receive various dashboard alerts.

User Luanne wrote, “I have been a FlexiSPY Extreme customer for more than 10 years. I have been a happy and satisfied customer from the beginning.”

Pros

• It’s among the monitoring software for chat platforms since it can spy on 11 popular messengers
• Take photos and videos remotely to see them via your iPhone parental monitoring app
• A comprehensive dashboard with detailed logs and information on how the kid uses all the features on the phone

Cons

• It’s necessary to jailbreak the child’s phone to use the app
• No app blocking or app management options

6. Net Nanny

Features

• Real-time internet filtering to block inappropriate content
• Screen time management and scheduling tools
• Alerts and reporting for online activity and searches
• Family Feed for a quick overview of each child’s device usage
• App blocking and monitoring capabilities
• Location tracking with geofencing alerts

Price: Plans start at $39.99/year for one device, or $89.99/year for up to 20 devices

Credit: netnanny.com

Net Nanny is a powerful parental control app designed to give parents peace of mind in the digital age. Known for its dynamic content filtering, Net Nanny can analyze web pages in real time and block inappropriate content before it’s viewed, making it a proactive rather than reactive tool. This ensures your child can explore the web safely without you constantly monitoring their every move.

The software goes beyond simple web filtering. It allows parents to set healthy screen time limits, block specific apps, and get alerts when their child tries to access restricted content or types of concerning search terms. With the Family Feed, you can check in on your child’s online activity across devices at a glance, all from a central dashboard.

Net Nanny also includes location tracking features. You can see your child’s current location and receive alerts when they enter or leave designated areas, helping you stay connected even when you’re apart. Whether your child is using an iPhone, Android, Windows PC, or Kindle Fire, Net Nanny has multi-platform support to protect the whole family.

One user, Kevin, shares, “We’ve appreciated Net Nanny’s capabilities to help safeguard our home and children. Especially as our children were young and learning how to self-filter in their lives, Net Nanny provided an added measure of protection and security that we needed as parents for our children.”

Pros:

• Real-time content filtering with instant alerts
• Clear and intuitive dashboard for parents
• Multi-platform support including iOS, Android, and Windows
• Customizable screen time limits and daily schedules

Cons:

• No free trial version
• Can be pricier than some alternatives for multiple devices
• App blocking may be limited on iOS devices due to system restrictions

7. Kids Guard Pro for iOS

Features

• More than 20 monitoring features are available within this iOS app
• Detailed data collection that also covers deleted files
• Social media monitoring covers WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat, and three other apps
• Gather and check photos, videos, and other media via this parental control app
• The hidden mode ensures the target phone doesn’t detect the parental control service

Price: $39.95 monthly / $59.95 quarterly / $109.95 yearly

Credit: clevguard.com

It’s not easy to keep a kid safe online these days, but parents will appreciate this monitoring software as one of the best parental control apps available. KidsGuard Pro for iOS has over 20 features to ensure you don’t miss a single thing. From the option to monitor calls and read messages to collecting info on Safari history, Calendar Apps, and notes. Even deleted information remains stored, and you can synchronize the target phone with the KidsGuard iPhone monitoring apps via Wi-Fi.

It takes some time to install this app for iPhone and its premium features. But once you do, you get an all-around monitoring tool. That’s more comprehensive than Family Link and free solutions.

One user raves about the app in their review, “It is the best; those who are struggling with how to use it are not advanced enough. These guys keep adding new updates, too. I have been using it for the last two years. I simply LOVE this app.”

Pros

• Excellent compatibility that goes back to iOS 9.0 versions and newer iOS devices
• No need to jailbreak to start using this iPhone monitoring app, although that could unlock more features
• Monitoring the device on the same Wi-Fi network works like a charm

Cons

• The parental control app version that requires a jailbreak is more expensive
• It takes a while to install and start using this app for iPhone

8. Ourpact Parental Control for iPhone

Features

• A 14-day free trial available
• Internet, app, and texting blockers
• Screen time management and allowance only for some apps
• GPS location tracking and instant geofencing alerts
• Premium features allow managing up to 20 devices

Price

• Free for one device and five manual blocks
• $6.99 monthly / $69.99 yearly for Premium
• $9.99 monthly / $99.99 yearly for Premium

Credit: ourpact.com

Ourpact is another best parental control apps that makes you feel connected with your family. It makes the kids use their iPhones productively without making them bored. You can restrict the download of adult or unnecessary apps on their phone and can also perform screen locking, web filtering, adult images and video blocking, etc.

You will get almost all the advanced features in its free version, and if you want to use it on multiple devices, then you need to invest in its premium version. It costs you $1.99 monthly, which is a reasonable price compared to other popular apps. In the paid version, you will get access to set several time schedules.

One reviewer loves that the premium version allows you to block all mobile apps. “This is by far the best parental control app when it comes to controlling an iPhone. I use this app on my Android to control my kids’ iPhones. Every other app out there cannot block ALL the apps on an iPhone. They all claim that there are technical limitations on the iOS platform that prevent them from blocking the built-in Apple apps, like iMessage, FaceTime, iMovie, Photos, etc., as well as many third-party apps. Well, the engineers at OurPact must be geniuses, because OurPact can block EVERYTHING except the phone call app, which you wouldn’t want to block anyway. When an app is blocked, it simply disappears from the phone. It’s not uninstalled – just hidden and inaccessible. I highly recommend OurPact, and the premium version is well worth the money.”

Pros

• Excellent blocking abilities compared to other iPhone monitoring apps
• Detailed app management and screen time features allow designing an advanced schedule for using the device
• Location tracking features are reliable, which is important for geofencing

Cons

• Taking screenshots requires choosing the Premium+ parental control app deals
• Although it’s one of the free parental control apps, you unlock its full power with advanced features

9. Mobicip iPhone Parental Control

Features

• Screen time scheduler with all-around restriction functions
• Advanced social media monitoring
• Location tracking and applying geo-boundaries
• Share the parental control app with a guardian or co-parent
• Web filtering options for inappropriate content cover YouTube and internet browsers
• An attractive Parent Dashboard with useful activity information

Price: $2.99 monthly for Lite / $4.99 monthly for Standard / $7.99 monthly for Premium

Credit: mobicip.com

Mobicip is a multi-tasking app that reduces the stress level of parents. It has an excellent inbuilt management system by which you can restrict unsafe content, videos, and websites on kids’ mobiles. It also offers daily screen time limits for device usage and creates reports of previous activities.

Mobicip offers both free as well as paid versions with premium features. Its annual price is $39.99, which is affordable for everyone. It works for 5 devices, and it adds a plus point to its popularity.

User Sharon shares how much she likes the app, “One of the best parental control apps with a wide range of features and suitable for kids of all ages. It is compatible with all platforms. Provides good uninstall protection too.”

Pros

• It’s among the best parental control apps for the price
• Advanced daily screen time management gives you total control over device usage
• Convenient categories offered by the web filter
• 7-day free trial

Cons

• All plans are billed annually, so this parental control app costs more initially
• No app limits in the available parental control features unless you use the most expensive plan

10. Qustodio

Features

• Real-time activity and monitoring apps like social media, YouTube, and web browsers
• Web filtering allows visiting or blocking only certain sites
• Location tracking for multiple family members simultaneously
• Comprehensive reports of daily, weekly, and monthly activity
• Tracking calls and messages

Price: $54.95 yearly for five devices / $96.95 yearly for 10 devices / $137.95 yearly for 15 devices

Credit: App Store

Qustodio has been around for years, and its reputation among iPhone monitoring apps is excellent. The platform is simple to use and comes with loads of features, from web filtering to daily screen time limits for internet access and device usage. You can set a detailed schedule of times when the child can use the phone to promote a focus on learning or healthy sleep.

The app provides detailed reports on how much daily screen time your child has had over the past day, week, or month, as well as useful info on how they used all these apps on their iOS device. Qustodio also has plans for schools that want to use monitoring apps on their students.

Julie shared her experience in a review of the app, saying, “This thing works! Bark& other programs mirror the devices. I don’t want to see their every move. I do want to make sure they aren’t getting into bad sites, apps, games, etc. Qustodio lets us do this & check what sites they are frequenting & apps they use, it flags everything based on categories, we can block by category & specific app/site. Love it!”

Pros

• The user-friendly interface makes this the best parental control app for beginners
• Excellent for time limits on app management and blocking potentially harmful games, inappropriate content, and other software
• The visual map that shows family member locations is convenient

Cons

• It requires a Mac computer to monitor calls and messages via the app for iPhone
• No monthly subscription plans available

11. Screen Time

Features

• Screen time allows setting daily time limits for device usage
• Track the location with this parental control software
• Manage app purchases and access
• Detailed statistics regarding phone use

Price: Free; $6.99 monthly

Credit: App Store

It’s easy to install Screen Time on your cell phone and start monitoring your child’s online activity. Screen Time Labs developed this app for iPhones to deliver an all-around parental control software solution. You can set daily time limits and create schedules to honor school time.

It’s possible to add tasks and reward your child with more hours on their phone when they finish homework and chores. And if it’s the weekend and there’s no school time, you can unlock the Free Play mode. Screen Time Labs also delivers extensive reports that help you learn about any inappropriate content your child might be visiting.

If you notice adult content or otherwise unsuitable online activity, it’s easy to manage internet access or block apps. Apart from phone activities, Screen Time Labs made sure you can receive location information, along with a map history for 30 days.

Screen Time offers support for up to five devices with its premium version, meaning that some might not be able to connect their entire family with this solution. Some tools offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but Screen Time Labs decided to include a 7-day free trial instead. You can also use the app on Android phone devices. Overall, it seems to offer more internet safety features than free solutions like Google Family Link, although it’s not the most extensive option available.

Mom of two, Krista, wrote about her experience in a review, “Love this app! With Screen Time, I can control when, how long the tablet is used, and what apps are allowed and not allowed. One of my favorite aspects of this app is that I can create tasks that give them more time when the tasks are completed. It’s easy to use, and helps limit their screen time!”

Pros

• Excellent for filtering out inappropriate websites you don’t want the child to visit
• Monitor social media activity, including texts and images

Cons

• The free version only supports a single device
• It could have a more user-friendly interface

12. Google Family Link

Features

• Google Family Link allows setting daily time limits
• Change app and extension permissions to optimize the child’s device usage
• A family locator gives information about the current location of your child
• Connect multiple devices via Google Family Link

Price: Free

Credit: App Store

Google Family Link is the iOS version of the convenient app designed by the famous company. It’s completely free and there’s no premium version, which is great, but that also means you won’t get extra features offered by similar solutions.

Google Family Link can deliver real-time alerts on your children’s whereabouts. It can send info about multiple device locations simultaneously, which is convenient. Although you can’t connect unlimited devices, up to ten should be enough. As for content filtering, you can pick whether your kids can use YouTube Kids or the unfiltered version. The Google Family Link app for iPhones can also approve or block certain apps from downloading from the store.

Another useful feature in Google Family Link is the app permission management, which can be helpful if you need to filter content based on the child’s age. You can limit social media activity and block apps that you don’t want your child to use. Screen time allowance is also possible, and is another way to use Google Family Link to help your child develop healthy online habits.

User Mystie shares, “This app has been everything I have hoped for to help me monitor my kids and keep them safe from what is available to them with Internet access.”

Pros

• Reset the password on child devices from your phone
• Google Family Link offers plenty of features for a free parental control software solution
• It’s convenient for parents who want to monitor multiple devices

Cons

• The iOS version is more limiting than the Google Family Link edition for Android
• Not as advanced as some premium solutions

13. Norton Family

 Features

• Content filtering when browsing the web
• Adjust time limits to ensure healthy phone and internet use
• Discover the search terms that your kids are interested in
• A family locator and check-in feature
• App supervision that monitors app downloads on mobile devices

Price: $49.99 is the annual plan

Credit: App Store

The Norton Family app for iPhones comes from a reputable antivirus developer famous for its online protection solutions. With this software, you can help your child lead a healthy digital life. It’s possible to allow internet access but block inappropriate sites. You’ll receive reports from Norton Family about your kids’ device activity, so you can see their search history. That enables you to discuss any problematic websites they have visited or even ensure that to filter out the inappropriate content.

You can buy Norton Family separately, but also as a part of the Norton 360 Deluxe and Premium packages. It can be an excellent way to secure online safety and overall device protection against cyber threats. A family locator that comes with the Norton Family parental control software ensures you can see the current location and the map history for 30 days.

You can try the free version for 30 days, and there’s a premium version with a yearly subscription. The trial is better than a 30-day money-back guarantee because it requires payment details.

The software supports many languages, from English and German to Simplified Chinese and Turkish.

Julie writes, “I’ve tried a lot of parental control apps and they just don’t work for me. Norton is perfect and simple enough. Blocks sites that are not age appropriate, sends reports, can easily track my kids’ online footprint, has time restrictions, and more.”

Pros

• A 30-day free trial
• Easy to install across multiple devices
• Extensive options to limit screen time allowance
• User-friendly interface

Cons

• Some features aren’t available on iOS
• Only offers a yearly subscription

The good news is that you can find many great iPhone monitoring tools on the market. While some offer free versions, it’s better to go with premium subscriptions. You’ll get comprehensive monitoring features that maximize your kid’s safety and ensure you get the most out of the used monitoring app.

Apple iPhone parental control tools focus either on monitoring or giving you power over the targeted phone. Apps like Findmykids and Kids360 are excellent choices. You can know your kid’s location at all times and receive alerts when they leave certain areas. It’s possible to set restricted screen times and only allow using some apps at specific timeframes, and even remind your child to turn on the volume when they mute the phone. Ultimately, consider the preferences you need and find the parental control app that fits what you are looking for!

FAQs

What is the best parental control app for an iPhone?

Many reputable developers design these tools, and you can’t go wrong with using Findmykids, Kids360, or similar parental control apps like Norton Family or Google Family Link. These can help set screen time restrictions or/and track your kid’s location, and improve their safety when they are using an iPhone.

If you want the ultimate top-quality protection, use a combo of Findmykids and Kids360 parental control apps.

How can I monitor my child’s iPhone?

You can use the default parental control settings on individual devices. If you need more details or adjustments, specialized apps like Findmykids and Kids360 are an excellent pick.

These specialized solutions offer a variety of features focused on keeping your child safe and providing you peace of mind. You can use app management to block access to social media apps or activate web filter features to prevent your kid from accessing sites with potentially harmful content. Don’t hesitate to use our guide to find out more about the best parental control apps currently available.

What is the best app to monitor my child’s iPhone?

FlexiSpy is the best parental control app if you want comprehensive info on your kid’s phone activity. It collects information on sent messages via SMS and social media platforms, allows access to contacts and web history, and even records phone calls and takes screenshots.

Monitoring apps, however, lack in giving you control over the target phone. With Kids360, you can use screen time options to adjust when your child uses their iPhone and which apps are accessible.

Is there an app where I can see everything on my child’s phone?

You can use the best parental control apps focused on monitoring, such as TeenSafe Parental Control for iPhone. It will gather all activities without missing a single detail. That means collecting data in real-time and putting it in the parent dashboard you can access from a PC or mobile.

If you need additional control over the kid’s phone, combine it with the Findmykids app. It’s an affordable and useful parental control solution for all iOS devices. It offers everything from tracking the phone’s location to live listening and tracking device usage.

Can I lock my child’s iPhone remotely?

The default Family Sharing feature on Apple devices doesn’t allow locking the phone remotely, but specialized parental control software solutions might have that option. It is, however, possible to use default options to adjust screen time settings on your child’s device.

Do iPhones have good parental controls?

There are certain content filters, daily screen time limits, and other adjustments available. While the options are decent, you might want a more advanced solution. The best suggestions are Findmykids and Kids360, but you can also try Family Link or Norton Family.

Is anything better than Bark?

A top contender for a parental control app that is better than Bark is Qustodio. With features like location tracking, web activity monitoring, and daily screen limits, it’s an excellent app for keeping your kids safe on and offline while introducing healthy tech habits.

Cover image: Rebecca Harris/Shutterstock.com