Does Family Link work on iPhone?

Tech Lockdown Team

|

Updated November 13, 2025

| Language

Family Link is the Android version of Screen Time, so it's completely reasonable for parents to wonder if they can use an Android smartphone to manage restrictions on their child's iPhone using Family Link. 

Family Link is an exclusive feature for Android smartphones, so if your child has an iPhone, and you (the parent) have an Android smartphone, Family Link likely isn't the best option. You would still have options, but you would be missing out on some fairly critical features if your child can't use an Android smartphone.

That being said, you might be in the process of getting your child an upgraded device, and upgrading multiple devices for your family isn't feasible. In this case, there are a few options you could consider using instead. We'll consider multiple approaches.

Why does Family Link not work on a child's iPhone?

Family Link has two main components: supervise device with Family Link, and Google account management. So long as your child is using an Android smartphone, you will be able to use both features and, as a result, have full control over your child's device.

Google account management is available on both iPhone and Android smartphones, since it's tied to your child's Google account only. If your child is using an iPhone, be sure that Google account management is enabled, and you log your child in with that managed Google account. I strongly recommend checking out our dedicated guide for s etting up Family Link , which walks you through how to set this up.

However, only Android smartphones can be supervised with Family Link, which means features that require access to an iPhone's app or screen time data, or permission to block apps can't be used on iPhones.

That basically means that, if your child is using an iPhone with Family Link, parents can not:

• Set time limits for apps
• Use device Location tracking (you child could turn this off on an iPhone)
• App Activity reporting
• Block apps
• Manage permissions for apps on your child's iPhone

However, any of the features that rely on Google account management will likely work on a child's iPhone, such as:

• YouTube activity monitoring
• Enforcing Google SafeSearch on your child's Google account
• Reviewing your child's Google account details

Are there better alternatives to Family Link that work on the iPhone?

For most families, Apple Family Sharing and Screen Time are both solid alternatives, although each member of your family must have their own iOS device.

That being said, a parent doesn't need their own iPhone smartphone; if you (the parent) have a Mac, you can manage restrictions on your child's iPhone remotely using Apple Family Sharing, since it's tied to both you and your child's Apple accounts.

If you don't have a Mac, you could instead set up Screen Time on your child's iPhone using a passcode, but it might be difficult to enforce Screen Time without using your own Apple account.

For more details about how to set up Apple Family Sharing or Screen Time, see our parents' guide for parental controls on iPhones .

Can Parents manage Family Link restrictions from an iPhone?

So long as your child is using an Android smartphone, Chromebook, or similar Android-based device , parents can use Family Link on their own iPhones without any issues.

As a parent, all you'll need to do is download the Family Link app from the App Store, sign in with your personal Google account (the one that your child is added to), and then view and manage restrictions from this app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there better alternatives to Google Family Link?

There are many solid alternatives to Google Family that parents can consider.

Is Family Link a good option for adults trying to self-manage their own devices?

Adults might need to consider more robust options than Family Link, since in our experience, most kinds of parental controls are often unsuitable for adults. 

Please see our Family Link review for a more detailed breakdown.