5 Best Parental Control Apps for iPhone

| Updated on May 3, 2024

Parental control apps are a relief for all guardians who want to keep an eye on what their children are watching on their smartphones or tablets. These apps allow parents to track their kid’s activity with a comprehensive picture of their little ones’ screen time and manage their access to certain apps. 

In this article, we will explore the 5 best parental control apps for iPhones. So, whether you are looking for an affordable app or the app with the most management tools, this article has you covered. 

So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Why Do Parents Need to Set Parental Controls On iPhones?

Everyone could have their reasons for setting up an iPhone parental control app. Here are the most common ones that we keep hearing from parents:

  • As a responsible parent, they don’t want their child to access explicit or inappropriate content.
  • The guardians want to limit their kid’s internet usage, like the apps they are using or the messages they are receiving or sending. 
  • The parents want to prevent their children from making unauthorized in-app purchases from the app store.
  • Guardians don’t want kids to spend most of their time on screens, as it can harm the child’s overall health. Thus, setting screen limits for kids using the best parental controls for iOS can offer them the best solution.
  • The most common reason is that parents do not want their children to share personal information, such as their identity or financial statements, with anyone, as scams are on the rise these days.

These are some common reasons that encourage parents to look for parental control tools. So, if you are also one of them, you are on the right page. Whether you are looking to monitor your child’s activities or read your child’s text messages, the parental control app has you covered.

Best Parental Controls for iPhone In 2024

The best iOS parental control app for you would be one that fulfills your monitoring needs and requirements. Thus, after thorough research, we have shortlisted the top five apps that may come in handy. Let’s briefly look at these iOS parental controls!

eyeZy

eyeZy image

The first and foremost application that parents highly recommend is eyeZy. This software aids in tracking all the major digital activities of your kids and restricting the ones that you find suspicious.

The salient features of this app include:

  • Keyword tracking
  • Location Tracking and Geofencing
  • App Blocker
  • Website/Wi-Fi Blocker
  • Connection blocker (applications or websites)
  • Social Spotlight (screen recorders, social networks, text messages, emails, and deleted text messages)
  • Phone analyzer (contacts, phone calls)
Pros
  • Easy-to-use 
  • Able to track the deleted text messages
  • Social media tracking is available
  • Greta Customer Support
  • VPN services can’t bypass EyeZy
Cons
  • Call recording is not available
  • It takes time to sync data
  • The price seems to be unreasonable for the services offered
  • Only covers one device
  • Pricing: $68.53 per month
  • Ratings from Trustpilot: 3.6/5.0

mSpy

mSpy image

The next on the list is mSpy, which is relatively new but highly efficient. It covers both smartphones and tablets and features a wide range of controls. 

Below are some notable features offered by the mSpy:

  • Managing calls
  • Tracking text messages and social media chats
  • Tracking GPS locations
  • Email monitoring
  • Stealth mode
  • Controlling installed apps
  • Accessing contacts and calendar
Pros
  • Access the dashboard directly from the mSpy website
  • Offers web and app filtering
  • Includes location tracking
  • Activity reports, summarizing your kid’s activities
Cons
  • No free trial or plan
  • The installation process can be tedious
  • You must get a separate subscription for every device
  • Pricing: $48.99 per month
  • Ratings from Trustpilot: 3.4/5.0

Bark

Bark image

Another iPhone control app that is highly recommended by other users is called Bark. This application is moderately priced and offers you a free trial. It allows you to connect to more than 30 platforms to monitor your kid’s activities on social media and other apps. 

The popular features of Bark include:

  • Content Monitoring (Computer, email, social media, and text message monitoring)
  • Controlled screen time
  • Website blocking
  • Location sharing
Pros
  • Ease of use
  • Quick response and alerts
  • Affordable pricing
Cons
  • Browsing and search history are not available
  • No call log
  • You can access the live location only by checking in
  • Pricing: Monthly subscription plans range from $39/month to $89/month
  • Ratings from Apple Store: 4.1/5.0

Norton Family

Norton Family image

Norton Family is an appropriate option if you are looking for an app specifically for web monitoring and filters. You can control unlimited devices, and it contains almost every parental feature that could assist you best in monitoring your kid’s Android-related activities.

The notable features of this iOS parental control app are:

  • Web filtering
  • Location tracking
  • Monitoring YouTube and Hulu
  • Time scheduling
  • School time
  • Search and Video supervision
Pros
  • Comprehensive web dashboard
  • No limit on the number of monitored devices
  • Simple setup configuration
  • Exceptional geofencing tools
Cons
  • It is not supported on Mac
  • Cannot block individual apps and games on PC
  • Browsing extensions can be disabled easily
  • Unlocking the iOS device breaks alerts
  • Pricing: $49.99 per year
  • Ratings from Trustpilot: 4.3/5.0

FamilyTime

FamilyTime image

Our last but not the least pick for the best iPhone parental control app is FamilyTime. It has some brilliant features that ensure the safe usage of your child’s device. 

Let’s take a look at the attractive features of this application:

  • Content Monitoring
  • Teen Safe Drive
  • PickMeUp Alerts
  • Internet filter
  • App blocker
  • Call and SMS Tracker
  • Browser history or Bookmark tracker
  • Family tracker and many more
Pros
  • Features a panic button
  • Geofencing and location tracking are available
  • Text and call monitoring is supported
Cons
  • Email monitoring is not available
  • There are limited controls for social media monitoring
  • Only a 3-day trial period is available
  • Pricing: $69.00/yr
  • Ratings from Trustpilot: 3.9/5.0

These are the best parental controls that feature a wide range of controls and allow you to secure your kid’s online presence using the advanced functions.

Conclusion

As a parent, you must fulfill your responsibility and protect your child from the volatility of the internet. However, you must remember that parental control is only appropriate when you feel your kids need your guidance or are not grown up enough to be exposed to specific content. 

Keeping that in mind, you can choose the best iOS parental control app from the above list and help your kid embark on a secure browsing journey!


L. Dias William

L. Dias William is an established writer who specializes in Apple goods, iOS, and other technology. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has years of hands-on experience in the IT business. William has a sharp eye for detail and an enthusiasm for innovation, and he has written countless articles and reviews that are popular among computer fans throughout the world. His distinct combination of technical understanding and creative flare makes him a desirable voice in the consumer electronics industry.

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