What a child account is and what it does
A child account in Apple is a separate account linked to a parent's or guardian's account through Family Sharing. The child gets their own Apple ID, but the parent controls what apps they can download, what content they can access, how much screen time they have, and whether they can make purchases. The child can use the account on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch.
The account works differently depending on the child's age. Children under 13 (the age varies by country) cannot create their own Apple ID—a parent must create it for them. Teenagers 13 and older can create their own ID, but parents can still set restrictions and monitor activity if they are part of the same Family Sharing group.
Once the account is set up, the child can access iCloud, the App Store, Apple Music, and other Apple services within the limits you set. The parent receives notifications when the child requests permission to download an app or make a purchase, and can approve or deny those requests from their own device.
Key Takeaways
- A child account must be created by a parent or guardian through Family Sharing; children under 13 cannot create their own Apple ID.
- You need an active Apple ID and Family Sharing set up on your own device before you can create a child account.
- The setup takes about 10 minutes and requires the child's name, birthdate, and an email address (which Apple can generate for you).
- Once created, you can set app restrictions, content limits, screen time, and purchase controls from your device.
- The child can start using the account immediately on any Apple device signed into that ID.
Set up Family Sharing on your own device first
Before you can create a child account, you need to have Family Sharing active on your own Apple device. This is the container that holds all family members' accounts and lets you manage permissions and restrictions.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing. If you see "Set Up Family Sharing," tap it. You will be asked to confirm your payment method (the card that will be charged if the child makes a purchase you approve). On a Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] > Family, then click "Set Up Family Sharing."
If Family Sharing is already on, you will see a list of family members and an option to add a new one. You only need to do this setup once; after that, you can add multiple children to the same Family Sharing group.
Create the child account through Family Sharing
Once Family Sharing is active, go back to the Family Sharing screen on your device. You will see an option to add a family member or "Invite" a new person. Tap or click "Add Family Member," then choose "Create a Child Account."
You will be asked for the child's name and birthdate. Enter these exactly as you want them to appear on the account. Apple will then generate an email address for the child automatically (usually something like firstname.lastname@icloud.com), or you can provide your own email address if you prefer. The child does not need to know this email address to use the account—it is mainly for account recovery and Apple communications.
Next, you will set a password for the child's account. This password should be something the child can remember but you should also write down in a safe place. You will not be able to see this password again after you create the account, so if the child forgets it, you will need to reset it through the Apple ID website.
Review the terms and conditions, then confirm. The account is now created and linked to your Family Sharing group. This usually takes a few seconds, and you will see the child's name appear in your Family Sharing member list.
Sign the child into their device
Once the account exists, the child can start using it on any Apple device. On the device the child will use most often, go to Settings > [Device Owner Name] > Sign Out (or iCloud > Sign Out on older iOS versions). Then sign in with the child's Apple ID and password.
If the device is shared with other family members, you can set up multiple user accounts on a Mac or iPad so each person has their own login. On an iPhone, typically only one person signs into iCloud at a time, but you can set up multiple user accounts on a shared iPad by going to Settings > Family and adding each family member.
The child's account is now active on that device. They can open the App Store, access iCloud, and use any service linked to their Apple ID. However, they will not be able to download apps, make purchases, or access certain content until you configure those permissions.
Set restrictions and purchase controls
From your own device, return to Family Sharing and tap the child's name. You will see options for Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, and Purchase Requests. These are where you control what the child can do.
Purchase Requests is usually the first thing to set up. When this is on, the child cannot buy or download anything without your approval. When they try to download an app or make a purchase, a notification appears on your device asking you to approve or decline. You can approve the purchase, decline it, or ask the child why they want it.
Content & Privacy Restrictions lets you block apps by rating, prevent access to explicit music or movies, turn off the camera or FaceTime, and restrict other features. Screen Time lets you set daily time limits for app categories (Games, Social Media, Entertainment, etc.) and set a downtime window when the child cannot use the device at all except for phone calls and emergency services.
You can change these settings at any time from your device. The child will not be able to override them without your permission.
Manage the account as the child grows
As the child gets older, you may want to loosen restrictions. You can adjust Screen Time limits, turn off Purchase Requests, or remove Content & Privacy Restrictions from the Family Sharing settings on your device. The child's account itself does not change—you are just changing the rules that apply to it.
When the child turns 13 (or the age of digital consent in your country), Apple will notify you. At that point, the child can choose to manage their own account and leave Family Sharing if they want, though you can keep them in the group if you both agree. If they stay, you can continue to set restrictions or step back entirely.
If you need to reset the child's password, go to the Apple ID website (appleid.apple.com), sign in with your own account, go to Family Sharing, select the child, and choose "Reset Password." The child will receive an email with instructions to set a new one.
Troubleshooting common setup problems
If you see an error saying "Family Sharing is not available," check that you have a valid payment method on file and that your device is running the current version of iOS or macOS. Family Sharing requires at least iOS 8 or macOS 10.10.
If the child cannot sign into their account on a device, make sure you are using the exact email address and password you created. If the child forgets the password, reset it from the Apple ID website using your own account. If the device shows "This Apple ID has not yet been used with the App Store," wait a few hours—sometimes it takes time for a newly created account to sync across Apple's servers.
If you do not see the child's account in Family Sharing after creating it, try signing out of your own account and signing back in. If the problem persists, restart your device and check that you have an active internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a child account without Family Sharing?
No. Child accounts must be created through Family Sharing. If you do not have Family Sharing set up, you will need to set it up first on your own device. It takes about two minutes and requires a valid payment method.
What email should I use for the child's account?
Apple generates an iCloud email address automatically, and this is usually the easiest option. You can also provide your own email address if you prefer, but the child will not need to remember it—it is mainly for account recovery. Do not use the child's school email or a shared family email, because the child will not be able to recover the account if they forget the password.
Can the child change their password?
Yes, once they know it. They can change their password by going to Settings > [Their Name] > Password & Security on their device. However, you can reset it from your device at any time through Family Sharing if needed.
What happens if the child leaves Family Sharing?
Once they turn 13 and leave Family Sharing, their account becomes independent. You will no longer see their activity or be able to set restrictions. They will keep all their apps, photos, and data. If they want to rejoin Family Sharing later, they can, but you cannot force them to stay once they are old enough to manage their own account.
Can I create a child account on a device the child does not own?
Yes. You can create the account on your own device through Family Sharing, then sign the child into it on any device—a shared iPad, a device you buy for them later, or a device they already own. The account works the same way regardless of which device it is on.