Giving your old iPhone to your child is a great idea, and setting it up with Family Sharing will allow you to manage their usage and share content easily.
What is an iPhone?
An iPhone is a smartphone made by Apple that uses a system called iOS to work. iPhones are known for being easy to use and working well with other Apple products like iPads, MacBooks, or Apple Watches. An iPhone is Apple’s version of a smartphone, with its own look, apps, and features.
Get Started
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to reset the iPhone, set it up for your child, and configure Family Sharing. Click each item for more information:
Step 1. Backup Your Data
- Before resetting the iPhone, make sure you've backed up all your data
- You can back up using iCloud or your Mac or PC on your computer
- To back up with iCloud: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now
- To back up with your PC
- To back up with your Mac
Step 2. Sign Out of iCloud and Apple ID
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top.
- Scroll down and tap Sign Out
- You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password to disable Find My iPhone
Step 3. Erase All Content and Settings
- Now you’re ready to erase the iPhone and prepare it for your child
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings
- You may need to enter your passcode or Apple ID password
- Confirm that you want to erase the device, this will return it to factory settings
Step 4. Set Up the iPhone for Your Child
- After the reset, the iPhone will restart and show the setup screen
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the iPhone
- When prompted to sign in with an Apple ID, you can either:
- Create a new Apple ID for your child if they don’t have one
- Sign in with your child’s existing Apple ID
Step 5. Set Up Family Sharing
- Open Settings on your (the parent's) iPhone
- Tap on your Apple ID at the top, then tap Family Sharing
- If you haven’t set up Family Sharing yet, tap Set Up Your Family
- If you’ve already set up Family Sharing, tap Add Member
Step 6. Add Your Child to Family Sharing
- Tap Create Child Account and follow the on-screen instructions to create an Apple ID for your child if you haven’t already done so
- You’ll be asked to provide your child’s birthday, agree to the Parent Privacy Disclosure, and provide your credit card information for verification
- Once the child’s account is created, they will automatically be added to Family Sharing
- Alternatively, if your child already has an Apple ID, you can invite them by entering their Apple ID email address
Step 7. Configure Parental Controls
- After adding your child to Family Sharing, you can set up parental controls
- Go to Settings > Screen Time on the child’s iPhone
- Tap This is My Child's iPhone and follow the prompts to set up:
- Downtime
- App Limits
- Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Communication Limits
Step 8. Enable Purchase Sharing and Ask to Buy
- On your (the parent’s) iPhone, go to Settings > Family Sharing > Purchase Sharing and make sure it’s enabled
- Also, ensure that Ask to Buy is turned on for your child, this feature requires your approval for any purchases they attempt to make
- To do this, go to Settings > Family Sharing > [Child’s Name] > Ask to Buy
Step 9. Set Up Location Sharing (Optional)
- If you want to share your location with your child or see their location, you can set this up through Family Sharing
- Go to Settings > Family Sharing > Location Sharing and follow the prompts to share locations within your family group
Step 10. Review Settings and Test
- Once everything is set up, review the settings on both your and your child’s iPhone
- Make sure that the parental controls, sharing options, and any other settings are configured as you want them
- Test features like Ask to Buy and Screen Time to ensure they work as expected
Step 11. Place it in the Box and hand over to your child
- Watch the wonder as they open their new device
- Finally, take some time to discuss with your child what it means to use an iPhone responsibly, with the provided guidance, including:
- Respecting screen time limits
- Using apps safely
- Asking for permission before making any purchases
By following these steps, you’ll have the iPhone reset, set up for your child, and configured with Family Sharing and parental controls, ensuring a safe and controlled environment for them to use their new device.