Apple unveils iOS 27 child safety features at WWDC 2026

Apple announced iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, an operating system version developed in partnership with health experts to introduce new restriction tools for applications, web browsing and communications aimed at better protecting children.

iOS 27 centers on child and adolescent safety. The update was entirely designed to offer a safe and reliable platform for minors. It addresses the rise of new ways of connecting, artificial intelligence and online games by deploying new tools to support families.

Craig Federighi, SVP of Software Engineering, reaffirmed Apple’s long-standing commitment to safety when it comes to children and adolescents.

Two principles guide the new features. Apple relied on the rules that every child is unique and parents remain best placed to decide what is suitable for their family. The company collaborated with experts in clinical practice, child development and online safety, notably the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The objective is to adapt the Family Media Plan into a guide to establish healthy digital habits and preserve time for sleep, physical activity and IRL interactions.

Child accounts activate immediate safety barriers. Raja Rajamannar, VP of Child Safety, said the first essential step is the creation of a child account. If this has not yet been done, the system allows an existing account to be converted.

This profile immediately activates age-appropriate safety barriers including blocking of adult sites, media filtering and automated age restrictions in the App Store. A new easy setup assistant lets parents precisely choose the starting content, such as a few essential applications or a recommended set, and add progressively over time.

Ask to Browse extends parental controls to the web. The existing Ask to Buy mechanism, which requires the child to request authorization via message to download an application, now extends to the web and is called Ask to Browse. This function requires minors to ask for permission before visiting a new website.

The service works transparently on iPhone, iPad and Mac via Safari. It is enabled by default for those under 13 and remains optional for teenagers.

Communications controls complete the restrictions. Parents can now restrict the contacts of their children. These tools form the core of iOS 27’s approach to supporting families with age-appropriate barriers and progressive content access.