Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
During a child’s first iPhone setup, you can select suitable apps, then manage access later in the child’s Settings > Family > [child’s name] > Apps & Websites settings. Use the allowed and blocked lists for decisions about individual apps; use age ratings, Ask to Buy, or App Limits when you need different kinds of controls.
Choose the control that fits your decision
| Control | What it governs | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Allowed and Blocked lists | Access to particular apps or websites | When you want to make a specific app available or unavailable. |
| App age-rating restrictions | Apps according to their age rating | When you want a broad rule instead of reviewing every app individually. A child may request an exception for an app above the configured rating. |
| Ask to Buy | Approval for eligible downloads and purchases, including app downloads and in-app purchases | When you want to review eligible new downloads or purchases. It does not replace the allowed and blocked lists. |
| App Limits | Time spent in an app or category | When the issue is time spent rather than whether an app is permitted. |
Screen Time also includes Content & Privacy Restrictions for apps, content, and settings. Apple documents these controls separately because they solve different problems. Apple’s guide to app and website access, Screen Time guidance, and Ask to Buy guidance describe their respective functions.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $552.01 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $409.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $388.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Choose apps during the child’s first iPhone setup
- Set up a separate child account. Create a Child Account and add it to your Family Sharing group rather than sharing another family member’s Apple Account. See Apple’s parental-controls setup guide.
- Select apps for the child’s needs. Apple’s setup guide says you can choose appropriate apps during first-time setup, and the child can request additional apps later. Consider what the child needs the iPhone to do, then choose the apps that fit.
- Review the access lists. If you want to change access, open Settings > Family > [child’s name] > Apps & Websites, search for an app if needed, and add it to the Allowed or Blocked list.
- Add other controls only for their intended purpose. Set an age-rating rule for broad age suitability, Ask to Buy for eligible purchase and download requests, or App Limits to manage time.
- Consider requests individually. A child can request a new app or an exception to an age restriction. Review the request in context and adjust the available controls if your decision changes.
Apple’s first-time setup guidance describes selecting appropriate apps and allowing children to request new ones over time.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Know what each choice does—and does not do
Use lists for an app-by-app decision
Allowed and Blocked lists are the direct controls for deciding whether a particular app is accessible. They are more precise than a rating boundary, but require you to review individual apps as the child’s needs change.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Use age ratings for a broader boundary
A rating-based restriction can be easier to maintain when you want a general age-suitability rule. It is not the same as choosing every permitted app: a child may request an exception for an app above the configured rating.
Use Ask to Buy for eligible requests
Ask to Buy routes eligible downloads and purchases to a parent or guardian for approval or decline. It governs those transactions, not the standing decision about access to an app already available to the child.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Use App Limits for time
An App Limit sets a time allowance for an app or category. It addresses how long an app may be used, not simply whether the child can access it.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Check software, region, and account qualifications
Apple’s published iOS 27 instructions, as of October 7, 2026, say the described family controls require version 27 or later on relevant iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, or visionOS devices; all devices in the family group need to be upgraded to use the full feature set. If a menu differs, check that the child is in Family Sharing and that the family devices meet the version requirement. Some controls also depend on local law, age, and account configuration. See Apple’s app-access instructions.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Age thresholds and defaults vary by country or region. For example, Apple says Ask to Buy is on by default in the United States for children under 13 and, in some cases, for teens under 18. That US-specific default should not be assumed to apply elsewhere; consult Apple’s Ask to Buy guidance for the applicable account and region.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
