<!--
{
  "availability" : [

  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "FamilyControls",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/FamilyControls",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Framework",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Framework",
    "modules" : [
      "Family Controls"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "FamilyControls"
  },
  "title" : "Family Controls"
}
-->

# Family Controls

Authorize your app to provide parental controls on a device.

## Overview

To authorize your parental controls app,
use a shared [`AuthorizationCenter`](/documentation/FamilyControls/AuthorizationCenter) instance.
You can authorize parental controls on any device.

![A figure labeled allow activity. It shows an arrow from a Family Sharing logo](images/com.apple.FamilyControls/family-controls-overview@2x.png)

> Important: You must add the Family Controls capability to your app before you call
> the ``doc://com.apple.FamilyControls/documentation/FamilyControls/AuthorizationCenter/requestAuthorization(for:)``
> or ``doc://com.apple.FamilyControls/documentation/FamilyControls/AuthorizationCenter/revokeAuthorization(completionHandler:)`` methods.
> This capability adds the
> <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/BundleResources/Entitlements/com.apple.developer.family-controls>
> entitlement to your app. Before submitting your app to the App Store,
> you must [request permission](https://developer.apple.com/contact/request/family-controls-distribution)
> to use the entitlement. For more information, see
> <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Xcode/adding-capabilities-to-your-app>.

Authorizing parental controls for a child requires approval from
a parent or guardian in the same Family Sharing group.
The system displays an authentication sheet on the child’s device, and
the parent or guardian approves or denies the authorization request.
The system sends the result to your app’s `AuthorizationCenter`.

Authorizing parental controls for an individual requires approval from
the owner of the device.
The system displays a biometric authentication alert on the individual’s device
after the individual approves or denies the authorization request.
The system sends the result to your app’s `AuthorizationCenter`.

The Family Controls framework prevents child users, authorized by a parent or guardian,
from performing actions that might circumvent the parental controls settings.
For example, authorizing an app prevents the child user from deleting the app that provides parental controls.
In addition, while a device has at least one app authorized for parental controls by a parent or guardian,
the user can’t sign out of iCloud.

In a compatible iPad or iPhone app running in visionOS, authorization attempts
always fail.

## Topics

### Authorizations

[`AuthorizationCenter`](/documentation/FamilyControls/AuthorizationCenter)

The center for requesting authorization to provide parental controls.

[`AuthorizationStatus`](/documentation/FamilyControls/AuthorizationStatus)

The status of your app’s authorization to provide parental controls.

  <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/BundleResources/Entitlements/com.apple.developer.family-controls>

[Requesting the Family Controls entitlement](/documentation/FamilyControls/requesting-the-family-controls-entitlement)

Register your app and its Screen Time API app extensions to use Family Controls.

### Account types

[`FamilyControlsMember`](/documentation/FamilyControls/FamilyControlsMember)

The type of account that Family Controls is currently managing.

### Activity selections

[`FamilyActivityPicker`](/documentation/FamilyControls/FamilyActivityPicker)

A view in which users specify applications, web domains,
and categories without revealing their choices to the app.

[`FamilyActivitySelection`](/documentation/FamilyControls/FamilyActivitySelection)

A collection of applications, categories, and web domains selected by the user.

### Activity labels

[Displaying Activity Labels](/documentation/FamilyControls/DisplayingActivityLabels)

Provide users with a read-only, visual representation of an application, category, or web domain.

### Activity data

[`FamilyActivityData`](/documentation/FamilyControls/FamilyActivityData)

An interface to a person’s family activity data.

### Errors

[`FamilyControlsError`](/documentation/FamilyControls/FamilyControlsError)

Errors the Family Controls framework reports.


---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)