Best Parental Control App for iPhone and Android in 2025
For the adult generation, who grew up without phones, modern children cause concern. They're always holding phones in their hands. Do you ensure your child is using their devices safely and responsibly? That's where iPhone and Android parental control apps come in.
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For the adult generation, who grew up without phones, modern children cause concern. They're always holding phones in their hands. Do you ensure your child is using their devices safely and responsibly? That's where iPhone and Android parental control apps come in.
They give you a way to monitor your child's screen time, see which apps they're using, and even track their location. One of the biggest concerns for many parents is finding parental control with real-time tracking.
This article is about to help you find the best free parental control apps 2025. We will show you the best apps for parental control this year.
What are Make Good Parental Control Apps?
Functionality | The best choice offers a range of features, including app monitoring, website blocking, screen time limits, and location tracking. |
Device Compatibility | You'll want a tool that works seamlessly with both iPhones and Android devices. A true best iPhone parental control app needs to be smooth and effective on iOS, just as the best parental control app for Android. |
Ease of Use | It should be easy to set up and navigate, both for you and, if applicable, for your child. A clunky interface can lead to frustration. |
Security and Privacy | Data security is very important. Make sure the tool you choose has a strong privacy policy and protects your child's information. |
Best Parental Control Apps 2025 for iPhone
Number Tracker
Features | |||
Real-time Location Tracking | See your child's current location on a map at any time. This gives you peace of mind knowing they're where they're supposed to be. | ||
Safety zones | Set up virtual boundaries, like school, home, or a friend's house. Get automatic alerts when your child enters or leaves these zones. This is incredibly useful for knowing when they've arrived at school safely or if they've unexpectedly left a designated area. | ||
Location History | Review a detailed history of your child's movements over time. This can help you understand their routines and identify any potential issues. | ||
Family Route Sharing | This unique feature lets family members easily locate each other on a map within the application. More than that, it enables you to generate step-by-step directions to each other's locations directly within the application itself. This eliminates the need to switch between different navigation tools and keeps everyone connected. | ||
Pros | |||
The location tracking is reliable and precise | It is easy to navigate, even for those who aren't tech-savvy. | The ability to generate routes to family members directly within the tool is a real time-saver. | |
Who it's for: Families who highly value location tracking and want a user-friendly application with advanced features. It's especially beneficial for parents of teenagers who are starting to gain more independence and need to be monitored from a distance.
Families with older relatives or those with specific needs would also benefit from features like route finding.
Screen Time (iOS Built-in)
If you're just dipping your toes into parental controls and want a simple, readily available option, Apple's built-in Screen Time feature is a decent place to start. It's already on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, so there's no need to download anything else. It’s bare-bones free parental control app for iPhone.
Features | |||||||
Tracks Usage | Provide a breakdown of how much time your child spends in each application. | ||||||
Sets Daily Time Limits | Allow you to set daily time limits for specific apps or categories of applications (e.g., social media, games). Once the time limit is reached, the app will be blocked. | ||||||
Blocks Content | Enable you to block certain types of content, such as adult websites, in the Safari browser. | ||||||
Scheduling | Allow you to schedule "downtime," during which only apps you've allowed will be available. This is useful for setting aside time for homework or family activities. | ||||||
Pros | |||||||
The interface is relatively straightforward, making it easy to configure basic settings | It's already installed on your Apple devices | No subscription required | |||||
Cons | |||||||
Tech-savvy kids can often find ways to circumvent the restrictions, such as using a different browser or resetting the device. | |||||||
Doesn't offer advanced features like location tracking, detailed blocking of inappropriate websites, and ensuring offline safety, or social media monitoring. | |||||||
The reporting features are fairly basic and don't provide in-depth insights into your child's online activity. | |||||||
Who it's for: Parents who need a very basic, readily available solution for simple screen time management. It's suitable for younger children who aren't particularly tech-savvy.
Qustodio
Qustodio is a popular best iPhone parental control app that takes things a step further than Screen Time, offering a more comprehensive suite of monitoring and control features. While they offer a paid version with full access, their free version provides a taste of what they can do.
Features | |||
Activity Monitoring | Tracks your child's app usage, website visits, and search history. | ||
Website Filtering | Blocks inappropriate websites based on age categories. | ||
Screen Time Limits | Sets daily time limits for application usage. | ||
Panic Button (Premium) | Allows a child to send an emergency alert to trusted contacts with their location. | ||
Pros | |||
Works on iPhones, Android devices, Windows, and macOS. | Offers a good overview of your child's online activity. | The app is relatively user-friendly and has a clear interface. | |
Cons | |||
Like any parental control app for iPhone and Android, tech-savvy children may be able to find ways around the restrictions. | The free version is limited in functionality. You'll need to subscribe to a paid plan to unlock all the features, such as social media monitoring, location tracking, and call/SMS monitoring. | ||
Who it's for: Parents who want more features than Screen Time offers and are considering a more robust parental control solution but aren't ready to commit to a paid app right away. It's a good option for families with older children who need more supervision but are also given a certain level of independence. It is a way to try a best iPhone parental control app with the ability to upgrade later if more is needed.
Best Options for Android
Google Family Link
This is Google's parental control apps Android offering and it's completely free.
Features | |||
App management (approving or blocking app downloads) | Screen time limits | Location tracking | |
Pros | |||
Free, integrates seamlessly with Android devices, and offers a good balance of features. | |||
Cons | |||
Designed primarily for younger children (under 13, or the applicable age of consent in your country). Some features may not be available on all devices. | |||
Who it's for: Parents of younger children who want a straightforward and free solution for app management and screen time control.
Kidslox
This is a parental control app for iPhone free and Android.
Features | ||
Screen time management | App blocking | Content filtering |
Pros | ||
Allow you to set different time limits for different days of the week | Simple to use | |
Cons | ||
The free version has limited features | ||
Who it's for: Parents who want a simple tool for managing screen time and blocking apps.
Kaspersky Safe Kids
Features | ||
Activity monitoring | Web filtering | Location tracking |
Pros | ||
Good range of features in the free version | Include safe search and YouTube monitoring | |
Cons | ||
Some features require a premium subscription | ||
Who it's for: Parents who want a more comprehensive free option with features like safe search and YouTube monitoring.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing the best application depends on your specific needs and the age of your children. Start by considering what features are most important to you. Do you need robust location tracking? Are you primarily concerned about screen time? Or is content filtering your top priority?
Experiment with a few parental control apps for Android or iOS devices to see which ones work best for your family.
Don't be afraid to try a few free options before committing to a paid subscription.
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