Apple’s new parental controls go live today Apple Newsroom alongside the iOS 27 release MacRumors. The tools arrive with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 on September 14, 2026, the company said.
The update introduces five new features. Ask to Browse requires parental approval before a child accesses a new website in Safari. Time Allowances provides age-tailored daily limits for app categories like Social Media, Entertainment, and Games. Communication Safety now blocks gore and violent content alongside nudity in shared images, videos, and live FaceTime calls. A simplified setup flow recommends essential apps for new child accounts. Screen Time gets a redesign with one-tap access adjustments.
Apple developed the features with guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, adapting the academy’s Family Media Plan into a reference guide for parents Apple Newsroom. The company said the tools are designed to give parents more flexibility to manage content, communication, and screen time across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Parents can now set daily Time Allowances for specific app categories, with the system offering expert-informed starting points based on the child’s age. The Ask to Browse feature sends a notification to the parent’s device when a child attempts to visit a new website, allowing real-time approval or denial. Communication Safety uses on-device machine learning to detect and blur potentially harmful images before they are viewed.
Using the updated Screen Time requires every device in a Family Sharing group to run iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, or visionOS 27. Certain features remain limited by region and language.
The rollout follows a June preview at WWDC Apple Newsroom. Apple has also launched a dedicated website with setup details for parents.
Image credit: Apple
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