Apple is rolling out a range of new family safety features in iOS 26, making it easier for parents to manage what their kids see, who they talk to, and how apps treat their data. These tools are designed to work quietly in the background, and they build on Apple’s long-standing focus on privacy and child safety. Here’s a quick recap of everything that’s changed.
Child Accounts are easier to manage
If you’re setting up an iPhone or iPad for a child under 13, Apple now ensures age-appropriate settings are in place from the start – even if you delay completing the full account setup. Once the child is connected to your Family Sharing group, their Apple ID is converted into a full Child Account, unlocking all of Apple’s parental controls and protections.
Share an approximate age
Instead of giving apps a child’s exact birthdate, parents can choose to share an age range with apps their child uses – allowing developers to offer appropriate content without collecting unnecessary personal data. This can be configured in Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, and controlled either on a per-app basis or systemwide.
Teens now get automatic protections too
Previously, Apple’s built-in safety features were limited to children with Child Accounts. Now, any user aged 13–17 will automatically get default protections like Communication Safety and web content filters, even if their account was set up as a regular Apple ID.
More detailed age ratings
App Store age ratings are becoming more granular, with new 13+, 16+, and 18+ categories arriving later this year. These ratings work hand-in-hand with Screen Time and Ask to Buy, so apps outside your child’s allowed range won’t appear in Today or Games tabs. And if you make an exception to install something more mature, you can revoke that permission later.
Safer communication defaults
If your child wants to call or message a new contact, they’ll now need your approval. You’ll get a notification in Messages to approve or deny with one tap. The same system – called PermissionKit – is also available to developers, so other apps your child uses can ask for your OK before letting them follow, chat, or friend someone.
Inappropriate content detection
Communication Safety is expanding too. It now works in Shared Albums in Photos, blurring out any nudity, and even intervenes live in FaceTime video calls if inappropriate or graphic content is detected. It’s important to note that this detection is entirely on-device and nothing is ever saved or shared once flagged.