Open System Settings > Screen Time and select your child under Family Member. Follow the setup prompts, protect the settings with a Screen Time passcode, then configure Downtime, App Limits and Content & Privacy restrictions.
Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Screen Time and select the child from the Family Member menu.
3
Turn on and protect settings
Turn on Screen Time and set a Screen Time passcode that differs from the device passcode.
4
Set schedules and limits
Configure Downtime, App Limits, Always Allowed and Communication options appropriate for the child.
5
Set content restrictions
Open Content & Privacy, turn it on, and review Store, web, Siri, Game Center and privacy changes.
6
Check that the change worked
The child account follows the intended rule after synchronization while unrelated apps, privacy, and purchase authentication remain protected.
7
Troubleshoot Mac parental controls
If the passcode is forgotten, Family Sharing does not sync, a school profile applies, or an app has its own separate parental control, stop broad resets and return to the last known state. Capture the exact error, versions, device or account scope, and failed step before using the linked official support channel.
Video walkthrough
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: macOS.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.
