Apple launches new parental control settings on iOS 26

First announced in June, Apple has finally unleashed its expanded suite of parental controls as the company's sparkly new iOS 26 goes to consumers globally. Included in the lineup: New ways for parents to block who their child can communicate with.

With the latest software update, new Communication Limits will require young users to get permission from parental accounts before they can connect with new phone numbers on Phone, FaceTime, Messages or iCloud. This change is an evolution of Apple's existing Child Account feature, built into the company's Family Sharing option, which places minor accounts under age-based parental controls and oversight from manager profiles.

Parents can also correct an account's age or retroactively convert their child's Apple account to a Child Account under iOS 26. Child Accounts ages 13-17 will now be automatically opted-in to these default settings, such as web content filters, app restrictions, and Apple's Communication Safety feature, which detects sensitive content and warns users of nudity. The feature also flags nudity in FaceTime and blurs images in shared photo albums.

Finally, the company has updated its App Store age ratings and download options for parents, part of new features meant to put more safety pressure on app developers that were announced earlier this year.

Last week, child safety advocates protested Apple's annual product event, calling on the company to protect young users and stop the spread of child sexual abuse materials. Apple was sued in December for allegedly failing to comply with mandatory reporting guidelines and falsely marketing their devices as safe for at-risk users. At large, the company and other Big Tech leaders have been accused of failing to address a growing mental health crisis among teens and children, who are increasingly reliant on technology.

The features are now available across the company's updated line, including devices running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26.