Best parental control apps for iPhone in 2025

Parental control apps for iPhones help parents manage screen time, block inappropriate content, and monitor kids' activity to keep them safe online. With growing digital risks, these apps are a must for tracking kids' activity, setting screen time limits, and developing healthy tech habits from a young age. With the help of the Cybernews research team, I have reviewed the best parental control apps for iPhones on the market to help you make the right choice.

Top parental control apps for iPhone - shortlist

1. Aura Parental Control – best overall parental control app for iPhone
2. Qustodio Parental Control – best for advanced monitorin
3. Norton Family Parental Control – best for web filtering
4. Bark – best for social media monitoring
5. mSpy – best for stealth monitoring

Key features to look for in a parental control app for iPhone

When picking a parental control app for iPhone, it's essential to choose one with key features that help keep your child safe and create a healthy balance with technology. Here's what to look for:

• App blocking. The app should let you block or limit access to certain apps, like social media or games, to reduce distractions. Since iOS parental controls have limits on third-party apps, make sure it works well with Apple's screen time for smooth app blocking.
• Screen time management. Managing screen time is cultivating healthy tech habits. The best apps let you set daily or weekly time limits and schedule device-free time. Some even offer a quick pause button to encourage breaks and offline activities.
• Location tracking. Knowing your child’s location gives you peace of mind. Look for apps with location tracking, geofencing alerts, and location history to keep track of their whereabouts. Make sure the app follows Apple's privacy rules for location sharing.
• Content filtering. It's crucial to protect kids from harmful content. Content filtering blocks unsafe websites, explicit searches, and risky online interactions. The best apps work with Apple's Safari filtering and add extra web filtering for better security.
• iOS compatibility and restrictions. iPhones have stricter privacy guidelines than Android, so choose an app that follows Apple's policies. Look for one that uses Apple's Family Sharing and Screen Time features to stay compatible with iPhone updates.

Best parental control apps for iPhone – detailed list

Here's a list of the best parental control apps for iPhone to help you manage what your child does online. These apps make it easy to set screen time limits, block unwanted content, and keep an eye on their activity.

1. Aura – best overall parental control app for iPhone

Starting price	$15.00/month
Platforms	iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
App blocking	Yes
Screen time limit	Yes
Location tracking	No

Visit Aura

Aura is the best parental control app for iPhone. It offers an easy-to-use experience with powerful tools to help parents manage their children's screen time and online activities. With minimal effort, you can block apps, set screen time limits, and monitor your child's browsing.

One of Aura's best features is its smart content filter, which automatically blocks inappropriate websites. Parents can set browsing restrictions, control app access, and get alerts if their child tries to visit restricted sites.

Aura also provides detailed activity reports, helping parents understand their child's online habits and adjust screen time rules as needed. However, it does not offer location tracking, which might be a dealbreaker if you want to track your child's real-time location.

Starting at $15/month, Aura provides great value for its features. Despite lacking location tracking, it's still one of the best options for managing screen time and keeping kids safe online.

2. Qustodio – best for advanced monitoring

Starting price	$4.58/month (billed annually)
Platforms	Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Kindle, Chromebook
App blocking	Yes
Screen time limit	Yes
Location tracking	Yes

Visit Qustodio

Qustodio is one of the most complete parental control apps for iPhone. It includes app blocking, screen time limits, and location tracking, making it an all-in-one solution for families.

One of Qustodio's best features is its real-time location tracking, which lets parents see where their child is at any time. It also has a Panic Button for emergencies, allowing kids to alert their parents if they're in danger.

Parents can easily set daily screen time limits, block specific apps or games, and schedule screen-free times. Qustodio also provides detailed reports on browsing, social media, and app activity, helping parents make informed decisions.

At $4.58/month (billed annually), Qustodio is both affordable and packed with features. It works on iPhones, Windows, Chromebooks, and Androids, making it a good choice for families with multiple devices. However, the interface can feel a bit tricky at first, and some features require a premium plan.

3. Norton Family – best for web filtering

Starting price	$49.99/year
Platforms	Windows, Android, iOS
App blocking	Yes
Screen time limit	Yes
Location tracking	Yes

Visit Norton Family

Norton Family is a reliable parental control app that helps parents block harmful websites, track browsing history, and enforce safe browsing. Its powerful web filtering tools make it easy to keep kids safe online.

The screen time feature lets you set custom time limits and schedules, ensuring kids don't spend too much time on their devices. Norton Family also has real-time location tracking with a simple map interface, so you can always know where your child is.

Remote Learning Mode is another handy feature that helps kids stay focused during online classes by limiting distractions. Plus, Norton Family supports unlimited devices, making it perfect for large families.

The app costs $49.99 for an entire year, offering great value for all its features. However, some features, like tracking app usage, are limited on iPhones due to Apple's restrictions. Even so, Norton Family is an excellent choice for strong web filtering and device management.

4. Bark – best for social media monitoring

Starting price	$14.00/month
Platforms	iOS, Android, Chromebook, Amazon Fire
App blocking	Yes
Screen time limit	Yes
Location tracking	Yes

Visit Bark

Bark stands out as the best parental control app for monitoring social media activity. It monitors text messages, emails, and over 30 social media platforms for signs of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or online threats.

What makes Bark different is its AI-powered content analysis, which spots concerning messages and sends instant alerts to parents. It also offers screen time management and content filtering, making it a well-rounded digital safety tool.

For location tracking, Bark provides real-time GPS updates, but it doesn't have geofencing. It costs $14.00/month, which is pricier than some other apps. However, its strong social media monitoring makes it worth it.

One drawback is that complete monitoring on iPhones requires access to your child's Apple ID, which could be a concern for privacy-focused parents. Still, Bark is one of the best choices for those who want to stay updated on their child's online interactions.

5. mSpy – best for stealth monitoring

Starting price	$11.66
Platforms	Android, iOS
App blocking	Yes
Screen time limit	Yes
Location tracking	Yes

Visit mSpy

mSpy is a top full-scale monitoring parental control app for iPhone. It supports app blocking, screen time limits, and real-time GPS tracking, giving you full control over how your child’s device is used.

A key feature of mSpy is social media and message tracking, which lets parents see chats and shared files on apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook Messenger. This is extremely helpful for spotting issues like cyberbullying or inappropriate conversations.

mSpy also has advanced location tracking with geofencing, which alerts parents when their child enters or leaves specific areas. With screen time management, you can set daily limits and even lock the device remotely to ensure healthy usage.

The app costs $11.66/month, which is a bit pricey. Plus, installing it on iPhones can be tricky due to Apple's restrictions – some features may require jailbreaking, which isn't ideal for everyone. But once it's set up, mSpy runs smoothly and provides one of the most detailed monitoring experiences.

Top parental control apps for iPhone compared

Picking the right parental control app depends on what you want to monitor. Some apps are great for screen time limits and app blocking, while others offer advanced features like social media tracking, location tracking, or geofencing alerts. Here's a comparison table of the top apps to help you decide which one works best for your needs.

App	Screen time management	App blocking and management	Activity monitoring	Location tracking & geofencing	Platforms	Cost per month
Aura	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	iOS, Android, Windows, macOS	$15.00
Qustodio	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Kindle, Chromebook	$4.58
Norton Family	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Windows, Android, iOS	$49.99/year (No monthly option)
Bark	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	iOS, Android, Chromebook, Amazon Fire	$14.00
mSpy	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Android, iOS	$11.66

Visit Aura

How I tested and selected these parental control apps

To find the best parental control apps, I didn't just rely on what the companies said. Instead, I dug deep and checked extensive user reviews, expert opinions, and real-world tests to see which apps actually deliver value.

• GPS/location tracking. I researched whether these apps correctly show a child's real-time location. I also verified if parents get alerts when their child leaves a safe area, like school or home, by reading user feedback and expert tests.
• Content filtering. I wanted to see if these apps block harmful websites. I analyzed reviews from parents and tech experts to find out if kids could still access restricted sites by switching browsers or using private mode.
• Activity monitoring. I reviewed if apps clearly report what kids do online, such as browsing history, social media use, and app activity.
• Screen time limits. I investigated whether these apps stop kids from using their devices after a set time. I also looked at whether parents can schedule breaks or cut off internet access when needed.
• Device compatibility. I made sure the apps worked on different devices, like iPhones, iPads, and iOS desktop devices.

Parental control apps are only useful if kids can't find a way around them. Here's how I eliminated apps that are easily bypassed:

• Uninstall protection. I examined whether kids need a password to remove the app. If they could delete it easily, I ruled that app out.
• VPN blocking. Some kids use VPNs to bypass content filters, so I checked whether these apps can detect and block VPNs by reading tests from parents and tech experts.
• Browser restrictions. Switching to a different browser shouldn't matter if a website is blocked. I verified whether these apps filter content on all browsers.
• Restart protection. I found out if these apps stay active after restarting the device. If an app turns off after a reboot, it's not doing its job.
• DNS security. Changing DNS settings can sometimes remove restrictions, so I examined if these apps prevent that trick.
• GPS spoofing. Some kids use apps to fake their location. I looked into whether these parental control apps could detect and block fake locations.

How to choose the right parental control app

Choosing the best parental app for families depends on your child's age, goals, and how comfortable you are with technology. Here are some simple tips to help you choose the right parental control app.

Features that fit your family

For younger kids, focus on apps that offer safe browsing, content filters, and screen time limits to protect them online. For teens, choose apps with social media monitoring, app tracking, and GPS location tracking to help you stay updated on their digital activity. If you have more than one child, look for an app that supports multiple devices and profiles to manage everything in one place.

Easy to use

User-friendly apps should be easy to set up and manage. You want a simple dashboard where you can quickly adjust settings, monitor activity, and get alerts. If it's too complicated, it'll be hard to stick to.

Works on your devices

Check that the app works on iOS, Android, and desktop. Some features may not be available on certain devices.

Bypass protection

Kids are smart. Choose an app that stops them from uninstalling it by using VPNs or changing DNS settings to bypass the controls.

Reliable support

Good customer support can be a lifesaver when you encounter problems. Look for apps with 24/7 help, FAQs, and community forums.

Step-by-step guide to setting up a parental control app on iPhone

Setting up parental controls on your child's iPhone helps you manage screen time, block inappropriate content, and prevent unwanted purchases. Here's a simple guide to parental controls on iPhone to get everything set up.

1. Set up family sharing

Before setting up parental control app features, you must enable Family Sharing. This allows you to manage your child's iPhone remotely.

Open Settings and tap your Apple ID (your name at the top).

Tap Family Sharing, then Continue.

Tap Invite Others and add your child's Apple ID.

2. Turn on screen time

Screen Time lets you set limits on apps, block content, and see how much time your child spends on their phone.

Go to Settings, then Screen Time on your child's iPhone.

Tap Turn On Screen Time and select This is My Child's iPhone.

Create a Screen Time Passcode (don't share it with your child).

Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your passcode.

3. Block app store and in-app purchases

To prevent your child from installing or purchasing apps without permission, follow this how-to-install parental control apps guide:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

2. Enter your Screen Time Passcode.

3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases and set:

• Installing Apps to Don't Allow
• Deleting Apps to Don't Allow
• In-App Purchases to Don't Allow

4. Set screen time limits (Downtime)

This helps control when your child can use their phone.

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Downtime.

2. Tap Turn on Downtime Until Schedule or set specific hours.

5. Block explicit content

You can filter out movies, music, or apps that aren't kid-friendly.

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

2. Tap Content Restrictions.

3. Adjust settings for Music, TV Shows, Movies, and Apps based on your child's age.

6. Restrict web browsing

To prevent your child from accessing adult content online:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content Restrictions.

2. Tap Web Content and choose:

• Limit Adult Websites (automatically blocks inappropriate content).
• Allowed Websites Only (your child can only visit websites you approve).

Conclusion

Parental control apps help you manage your child's phone use and cultivate healthy, mindful tech habits from a young age. The apps allow you to set screen time limits, block harmful content, and monitor activity.

Aura is my top pick for a parental control app because it's easy to use and has a full suite of features. Download parental control apps to secure your child's iPhone use and keep them safe. When choosing the best parental control app for iPhone, go for one that's simple but effective and matches all your needs, whether geofencing, app blocking, or monitoring.

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