Set Up ParentalEdge on iPhone or iPad — Step by Step

TL;DR — Step-by-step summary:

1. Get a 6-digit registration code from parentaledge.com → your child's profile → Add Device
2. Install ParentalEdge Companion from the App Store on your child's iPhone or iPad
3. Enter the code, grant 3 required permissions (Screen Time Access, Web Protection, Notifications) + optional Location
4. Set a PIN and optionally configure app rules — you are done in under 3 minutes

What do I need before starting?

• Your child's iPhone or iPad signed into their own Apple ID (not yours)
• Their Apple ID must be in your Family Sharing group
• Your ParentalEdge account at parentaledge.com

If your child does not have an Apple ID yet, see our full setup guide which covers creating one for children under 13 and teens 13+.

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Step 1: Get Your Registration Code

1. Log in at parentaledge.com
2. Go to your child's profile → Add Device → iPhone / iPad
3. Copy the 6-digit code shown on screen

Step 2: Install the App

On your child's iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the App Store
2. Search ParentalEdge Companion
3. Tap Get to install

Step 3: Connect the Device

1. Open ParentalEdge Companion
2. Tap Set Up Child's Device
3. Enter the 6-digit code
4. Check the consent box
5. Tap Connect Device

Step 4: Enable Permissions

The app asks you to enable these one by one:

Permission	What it does	Required?
Screen Time Access	Tracks app usage and sets limits	Yes
Web Protection	Blocks harmful and adult websites across 31 categories	Yes
Notifications	Lets your child see request approvals	Yes
Location	Arrive/leave alerts for Home, School, etc.	Optional

Tap Enable for each one. When all three required permissions show a green checkmark, tap Continue.

If Screen Time Access fails: Your child's device must be signed into a child Apple ID that is part of your Family Sharing group. The app will show a guide to help you set this up.

Step 5: Set a Screen Time Limit

1. Tap Select Apps to Monitor
2. Pick all apps and categories, or choose specific ones
3. Tap Continue

Step 6: Create Your PIN

1. Enter a 4-digit PIN
2. Confirm it

This PIN protects parent settings on the device. Your child cannot change rules without it.

Step 7: Set Up App Rules (Optional)

Choose from quick options:

• Limit Games — set daily time limits on games
• Manage Social Media — control access to social apps
• Choose Apps to Manage — pick specific apps to limit or block

You can skip this and set rules later from the parent dashboard.

Done

You will see "You're All Set!" — the device is now protected. Manage everything from parentaledge.com on any browser.

Once connected, ParentalEdge automatically activates age-based defaults: 14 harmful web categories always blocked, Safe Search enforced on 5 search engines (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Yandex), and 270+ dangerous apps blocked.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Screen Time Access permission keeps failing. What should I do?

This is the most common setup issue. It means the device is not signed into a child Apple ID that is part of your Family Sharing group. Go to Settings → tap the name at the top on the child's device and check which Apple ID is signed in. If it is your (parent) Apple ID, you need to sign out and sign in with the child's own Apple ID. See our Apple ID setup guide for step-by-step instructions.

Can I set up ParentalEdge remotely, or do I need the child's device in hand?

You need physical access to the child's device for the initial setup — to install the app, enter the registration code, and approve permissions. After setup, you manage everything remotely from parentaledge.com on any browser.

What happens if my child restarts their iPhone or iPad?

All ParentalEdge protections survive a restart. Web filtering, app rules, and screen time limits are enforced by the iOS system and reactivate automatically when the device turns back on.

Do I need to keep the ParentalEdge app open on my (parent) phone?

No. The parent dashboard is a website — parentaledge.com — not an app. You can access it from any browser on any device. No app to install on your phone.

My child has both an iPhone and an iPad. Do I need to set up each one separately?

Yes. Each device needs its own setup with a registration code. Both devices will appear under the same child profile in your parent dashboard, so you can manage them from one place.

What You Should Do Now

1. Get the child's device in hand and follow the 7 steps above — the whole process takes under 3 minutes
2. Set the age-appropriate profile during setup so harmful content is blocked automatically
3. Configure Study Mode for homework and tuition time from the parent dashboard
4. Explore the parent dashboard at parentaledge.com — check Activity to see what your child is doing, and Rules to fine-tune web filtering and app controls

Need help? Email us at support@parentaledge.com