Best Parental Control App for iPhone in 2020

Take me to comparison table

Looking for an iOS app that will help you protect your kids while they are on their phones, look no further. iPhone parental control app can be a part of a software or stand alone app that you can download on iTunes. But not every iPhone app has the same features, there are many different parental control apps out there, but that’s where we come in. We constantly review each app to give you impartial, comprehensive reviews to make the process quick and simple and give you the bottom line.

How Do We Rate Parental Control Apps for iPhone?

When considering parental control apps for iPhone, above and beyond the native utilities that come factory-installed, it’s important to keep the following factors in mind:

1. What features do the control apps offer, and how granular or customized can you get with the parental controls for iPhone?
2. Is the company and software well-reviewed, effective, and trustworthy?
3. How much does it cost, and how does that compare to similar offerings from others?
4. Is the app suitable for all iPhones, or only certain models or versions of the iOS operating system?
5. Do these parental controls for iPhone slow the performance of the device significantly?
6. Are these controls easy to bypass for tech-savvy kids, thus defeating their use?

When we review and analyze various third-party programs, as well as the native and app-based parental controls on iPhone, these are the factors and questions we most often consider, that shape the final review verdict.  Consumers would do well to do the same when selecting their own apps or settings for parental controls on iPhone.

What Features Should Parental Control Apps for iPhone Have, and What Can You Restrict with Parental Controls on iPhone?

There are a range of features that can be included under the heading of parental controls on iPhone and iPhone apps/third-party software.  Briefly, the main categories and functions of these features include:

• Content filtering – limiting access to apps, web pages, and similar, usually from a database or based on topics, e.g., adult content, violent/racist/hate content, and so on.
• Feature limitations – some apps and settings allow you to block features entirely, such as disabling text messages, Siri functionality, cellular data, and so on.
• Monitoring – allowing a parent to review, either retroactively or in real-time, the activity of a child on their phone, to varying degrees (text messages, call logs, web searches, apps, etc.).
• Tracking – apps that are used not to limit content or access, but physically track the location of the phone via built-in GPS, to help keep tabs on wayward youngsters.
• Timing – some parental controls on iPhone help you to define or restrict the total time a child can use their phone, or during what hours of the day it can be used.
• App blocking – settings and programs that will either block certain categories of apps, or allow for pre-approval or authorization required before a particular app or category can be installed on the device.
• Preventing purchases – native parental controls on iPhone as well as some apps and security suites can be used to selectively or entirely prevent in-app purchases.

What Types of Parental Controls Can You Use on iPhone?

Broadly speaking, there are several layers of parental controls for iPhone that you can use.

1. The native parental controls on iPhone are included as part of the operating system, and free to use. They are powerful, though not app-specific, and mostly for use in blocking or monitoring “global” content or device features, such as preventing all in-app purchases or setting time limits on usage.
2. Parental controls on iPhone apps, individual settings put in place by each app manufacturer to allow parents to control what kids can and cannot do in those apps.
3. Apps and software from third parties, specifically designed to provide more granular parental controls for iPhone, including many of the features and functions we’ve discussed above.

Each of these different categories of parental controls for iPhone has a place, since they often are limited to certain domains or functions by their nature.  You should take an inclusive approach for the best results (depending on the level of restriction you are looking for, your concerns for your child, and their age/maturity level).  That will allow you to control what you need, without outright blocking legitimate content or apps or making your child feel you are looking over their shoulder constantly about every conversation or thing they do on their phone.

Why Should You Consider Using Parental Control Apps for iPhone?

There are many potential risks for children using a smartphone – all the risks inherent with Internet connectivity, as well as additional risks based on the nature of the GPS technology and ease of online payment that are part of using a smartphone.  You can eliminate or significantly reduce these risks when you use parental controls on iPhone.  A few key examples:

1. Prevent your child from accessing adult content via web browsers on the phone.
2. Block viruses or malware from being installed.
3. Prevent your child from using their phone for hours on end, or during the night when they should be asleep.
4. Block unapproved purchases that cost real-world funds.
5. Prevent your child from accessing sites, social networks, and similar hubs that may expose their personal information. These places are the home for people that want to harm to your child.
6. Monitor where your child is in the real world.
7. Monitor who your child talks to, what they search for, and the websites or social networks they frequent.
8. Control access to violence, hate, racism, and other objectionable content or apps.

Below is our list of the top rated and best parental control apps for iPhone for 2020.