Ohana on iPhone & iPad: What Parents Need to Know

In this guide, we'll explain how to get the most out of Ohana, why we recommend an Apple Child Account, and why setting up a Screen Time Passcode is so important.

An Apple Child Account isn't required to use Ohana, but we still recommend it because it comes with several benefits.

With a Child Account, Ohana can access additional information about your kid's device usage, giving you more detailed insights into their screen time. You can also manage certain settings directly from your own device without needing access to your kid's iPhone or iPad.

If your kid doesn't have their own Apple Account yet, you can create a Child Account through Apple's Family Sharing. Our video walks you through the process step by step.

Does your kid already have an Apple Account?
You might not need to create a new one. If your kid has their own Apple Account with an incorrect date of birth, you can update it:

1. Open Settings on your kid's device.
2. Tap their Apple Account name at the top.
3. Select Personal Information, then Birthday.
4. Correct the date of birth and follow the instructions.

Depending on your kid's age and country, Apple may then guide you through converting the existing account into a Child Account. Parental approval may also be required.

If your kid uses Ohana on an iPhone or iPad, setting up an Apple Screen Time Passcode is essential.

On devices running iOS 26.4 or later in the EU, this passcode prevents your kid from simply uninstalling Ohana or changing certain settings. This applies even if your kid already has an Apple Child Account. A Child Account alone isn't enough.

Important: The Screen Time Passcode is a separate four-digit code. It's not the passcode your kid uses to unlock their device, and it's not your Ohana Parent Code either.

If your kid uses an individual Apple Account:

1. Open Settings on your kid's device.
2. Go to Screen Time.
3. Scroll down and tap Lock Screen Time Settings.
4. Create a Screen Time Passcode your kid can't easily guess.

If your kid uses an Apple Child Account:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Go to Screen Time.
3. Scroll down to Family and select your kid's account.
4. You'll be prompted to set up parental controls. Select Not Now for everything.

Keep the Screen Time Passcode somewhere safe and don't share it with your kid. This helps ensure they can't simply uninstall Ohana or change protected settings.

Yes, but there are a few differences in the EU starting with iOS 26.4.

Apple now allows parental control apps like Ohana to access more detailed information about device usage. For example, Ohana can see which apps are installed on your kid's device and provide more detailed insights into their activity.

At the same time, a feature called App & Website Activity can only be managed by one service at a time, either Ohana or Apple's Screen Time.

This affects three areas:

• Usage statistics: Your kid's screen time is displayed in Ohana.
• Downtime: You manage time-based restrictions through Ohana.
• App Limits: You also set time limits for individual apps in Ohana.

Other Apple Screen Time features remain available. These include Content & Privacy Restrictions, which let you restrict certain content or app installations.

Outside the EU, Ohana and Apple's Screen Time can still manage these features alongside each other. However, the additional device usage insights aren't available there in the same way.

If you're using Ohana and your kid's usage statistics suddenly disappear from Apple's Screen Time, don't worry. Nothing is broken.

On devices running iOS 26.4 or later in the EU, only Ohana or Apple's Screen Time can access this usage data, not both at the same time.

Once Ohana is active, the relevant data becomes available to Ohana instead. As a result, Apple's Screen Time no longer shows current usage statistics for your kid's device. Apple's weekly Screen Time reports will no longer include this activity data either.

You'll find your kid's screen time directly in Ohana instead. There, you can keep track of their activity and set the rules that work best for your family.

A few simple Apple settings can make a big difference in how well Ohana works on your kid's iPhone or iPad.

By using an Apple Child Account and setting up a Screen Time Passcode, you can make the most of Ohana's features, keep its protections in place, and manage your kid's screen time with confidence.