The two ways to actually block apps on an iPhone

You can block apps on a child's iPhone in two ways: through Screen Time (Apple's built-in parental control), which lets you hide apps and prevent downloads, or through Restrictions (the older system, still available on some devices), which blocks entire categories of content. Screen Time is what you want if your child already has the phone and you're adding rules after the fact. Restrictions is simpler but less flexible, and Apple is phasing it out.

The key difference: Screen Time lets you block individual apps by name. Restrictions blocks by category—you can turn off the entire App Store, or all games, but not just TikTok. If you need to block a specific app your child has already installed, Screen Time is your only option.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is the current Apple system for blocking apps; you set it up on your own iPhone first, then link your child's device to your account.
  • To block an app your child already has, go to Screen Time > App Limits, select the app, and set the limit to zero minutes.
  • To prevent new app downloads, go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases, and set "Installing Apps" to "Don't Allow".
  • Your child can still see blocked apps on their home screen unless you hide them separately through Screen Time > App Limits.
  • If your child knows your Screen Time passcode, they can change the rules themselves—use a code they cannot guess, and do not write it down where they can find it.

Setting up Screen Time on your own iPhone first

Before you can control your child's iPhone, you need to set up Family Sharing and Screen Time on your own device. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing. If you have not set it up yet, tap "Create a Family" and add your child's Apple ID or create one for them. This links your devices and lets you manage theirs from yours.

Once Family Sharing is active, go back to Settings on your own phone, tap Screen Time, and turn it on. You will be asked to set a four-digit Screen Time passcode—this is separate from your phone's lock code and is what prevents your child from changing the rules you set. Write this code down somewhere safe that your child cannot access, like a notebook in a drawer they do not use.

Blocking a specific app your child already has

If your child's iPhone already has an app you want to block, the fastest route is to set its time limit to zero. On your own iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits. Tap "Add Limit" and select the app you want to block—for example, TikTok or Instagram. Set the time limit to zero minutes and tap "Add".

Once the limit is set to zero, your child will see a message saying the app's time is up whenever they try to open it. They can request more time by tapping "Ask for More Screen Time," which sends a notification to your phone. You can approve or deny each request. The app itself stays on their home screen unless you hide it separately (see the next section).

Hiding blocked apps from the home screen

Setting a time limit to zero stops your child from using an app, but they can still see it and tap it. If you want the app to disappear from their home screen entirely, you need to hide it. Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits, find the app you blocked, tap "Edit," and toggle on "Hide This App Limit." The app will move to a hidden folder that requires your Screen Time passcode to access.

Alternatively, you can hide the app directly from your child's home screen by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps. Turn off the toggle next to the app you want to hide. This removes it from view without setting a time limit. Both methods work; choose whichever fits your situation better.

Preventing new app downloads entirely

If you want to stop your child from downloading any new apps without your permission, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Make sure Content & Privacy Restrictions is turned on. Then tap "iTunes & App Store Purchases" and set "Installing Apps" to "Don't Allow".

With this setting in place, your child cannot read anything from the App Store, even if they have their own Apple ID. They will see a message saying the action is not allowed. If they want a specific app, they have to ask you, and you can approve it from your own phone. This is useful if you want to review what they are downloading before it lands on their device.

What happens when your child tries to use a blocked app

When your child opens an app with a zero-minute time limit, they see a screen saying "Time Limit Reached" and the app closes. They can tap "Ask for More Screen Time" to send you a notification. You then get a notification on your phone asking whether to allow more time. You can tap "Allow" or "Deny," and your choice appears on their screen when ready.

If you have hidden the app entirely, it will not appear on their home screen at all. If they search for it using Spotlight (swipe down from the home screen and type the app name), the app will show up but will say "This app is not allowed on this device" when they tap it. There is no way for them to use it without your Screen Time passcode.

Why your Screen Time passcode matters more than you think

Your Screen Time passcode is the only thing standing between your rules and your child changing them. If your child knows the code, they can go into Settings > Screen Time, tap "Change Screen Time Passcode," and set a new one—locking you out of the controls entirely. Apple will not reset it for you without proof of purchase and identity verification, which takes time.

Use a four-digit code that is not your birthday, not your phone's lock code, and not something your child has seen you type. If you have multiple children, do not use the same code for all of them. Change it every few months if you are concerned your child might have figured it out. If you forget it yourself, you will need to erase the device and set it up again from scratch, so keep a copy somewhere find.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child delete a blocked app from their phone?

Yes. Blocking an app with Screen Time does not prevent deletion. If you want to stop them from deleting apps, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases and set "Deleting Apps" to "Don't Allow." This prevents them from removing any app, blocked or not.

What if my child uses a different Apple ID than the family one?

Screen Time controls work only on devices linked to your family account. If your child has their own separate Apple ID not connected to Family Sharing, you cannot manage their device remotely. You would need to set up Family Sharing first, which requires their cooperation or your access to their device to change the settings.

Can my child see that I am monitoring their apps?

Yes. When they hit a time limit or try to open a hidden app, they will know something is blocking them. They will also see "Ask for More Screen Time" notifications, which makes it clear you are controlling access. Screen Time is not a hidden monitoring tool—it is a visible restriction system.

Does blocking an app on Screen Time delete it from their phone?

No. Blocking an app hides it from use and may hide it from the home screen, but the app itself stays on the device taking up storage space. If you want to remove it entirely, you need to delete it separately, either from their phone directly or by preventing downloads in the first place.

What if my child asks for more time and I am not near my phone?

The notification will stay on your phone until you respond. Your child cannot use the app while waiting for your answer. If you want to give them more predictable access, you can set a daily time limit instead of zero—for example, 30 minutes per day—so they have some time without needing to ask each time.