Apple has redesigned parental controls in iOS 27 with new ways for parents to manage Screen Time, set limits and control what children can access. But there is an important requirement that can easily be missed: Apple requires every eligible device in a Family Sharing group to be updated before the new parental controls can be used.
That means updating your child’s iPhone or iPad alone may not be enough. Depending on the family setup, an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Apple Vision Pro belonging to another family member may also need to be updated to the corresponding version of Apple’s latest software.
What’s New With Parental Controls in iOS 27
The requirement matters because iOS 27 introduces a redesigned parental-control experience rather than simply adding another Screen Time option. Parents can now access quick actions for managing a child’s device, view Screen Time information more easily and create more flexible schedules for different parts of the day.
The new system also adds Time Allowances, which let parents manage how much additional time children can spend on certain categories, along with Ask to Browse, which lets children request access to websites that have not already been approved. Apple has also added more controls for managing apps, content, communication and other device features.
So if you have updated to iOS 27 but still see the older Screen Time interface, the problem may not be with your child’s device at all.
Why Every Family Device Needs to Be Updated
Apple ties the redesigned parental controls to Family Sharing. To access the new experience, Apple says every device in the Family Sharing group must be running iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 or visionOS 27, depending on the device.
This can make the update process more complicated for families with several Apple devices. A parent may have already updated their iPhone and a child’s iPad, while another family member still has an older Mac or Apple Watch connected to the same Family Sharing group.
The result is easy to miss. The child can be running iOS 27 while the family has not yet moved to the new parental-control system.
Which Devices Need to Be Updated?
Apple’s requirement covers eligible devices across its current software platforms:
| Device | Required software |
|---|---|
| iPhone | iOS 27 or later |
| iPad | iPadOS 27 or later |
| Mac | macOS 27 or later |
| Apple Watch | watchOS 27 or later |
| Apple Vision Pro | visionOS 27 or later |
Apple says the requirement applies to all eligible devices in the Family Sharing group. Not every parental-control feature is available on every device, but the family-wide update is required for the redesigned parental-control experience.
How to Check Which Family Devices Need an Update
You do not have to manually check every device in the family. Apple provides a way to see which devices still need to be updated.
On an iPhone or iPad running version 27 or later:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Family.
- Tap View Family Devices.
- Review the list of devices that still need to be updated.
- Update the eligible devices to the latest software available for them.
On Mac, the same information can be accessed through System Settings > Family > View Family Devices. Apple says parents and guardians in the Family Sharing group can use this list to identify devices that still need an update.
Once the required devices have been updated, Apple says you can go back to Family settings and select Get Started to transfer your existing parental controls or set up the new ones.
What If You Can’t Update Every Device?
This is particularly important for older Apple devices that cannot install the latest software.
Apple provides a Legacy Devices section under Family > View Family Devices. It shows family devices that cannot be updated to the required software. Those devices can continue using Screen Time and Family Sharing settings from iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26 or earlier.
You can therefore continue using parental controls even if one device cannot move to the latest software. However, the redesigned iOS 27 parental-control experience will not be available across the family until the required devices are updated.
If a device is eligible for an update but you no longer have access to it, Apple also recommends checking your Apple Account device list and removing devices you no longer use or have access to.
What Happens If a Family Device Isn’t Updated?
If you updated your child’s iPhone or iPad to iOS 27 but still cannot access the redesigned parental controls, check the rest of your Family Sharing group. Another family member’s iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Apple Vision Pro may still be running older software.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Family > View Family Devices. Apple says this section shows which devices still need to be updated. Once the required devices are updated, the Family Sharing organizer or a parent or guardian can continue setting up the new parental controls.
If a family device cannot be updated, Apple says you can continue using the previous Screen Time and parental-control settings. This means you do not lose parental controls entirely, but the redesigned iOS 27 experience may remain unavailable for the family setup.
