How to Set Up an Apple Watch for Your Kids (2026)

Unpairing is meant to erase all content material and settings in your watch, however in my case, it didn’t. If it doesn’t be just right for you both, faucet Settings on the watch, then Normal > Reset > Erase All Content material and Settings.

At this level, you’ll be able to have your child put it on (if it’s charged). The watch will say Deliver iPhone Close to Apple Watch. Should you open the Watch app, it permits you to select to Set Up for a Household Member. Intention the cellphone’s viewfinder on the slowly shifting animation to pair, or choose Pair Manually.

Apple’s tutorial is fairly easy from this level. I picked a passcode that’s simple for my daughter to recollect and picked her from my household listing. I continued mobile service. Then I arrange all the same old options and providers for an Apple Watch, together with Ask to Purchase so she couldn’t purchase something from the app retailer with out my permission, Messages, and Emergency SOS.

I additionally selected to restrict my daughter’s contacts on the watch. First, go to Settings > iCloud > Contacts in your cellphone and ensure it’s toggled on. Then click on out, return to Settings > Display Time > Household Member > Communication Limits. You might want to request your baby’s permission to handle their contacts and approve it from the child’s watch. On their watch, you’ll be able to add and rename contacts out of your contact listing (Dad turns into “Grandpa,” Tim turns into “Uncle Timmy,” and so forth).

The final step is popping on Schooltime, which is mainly a remote-controlled model of an grownup Work Focus. It blocks apps and problems, however emergency calls can nonetheless come by means of. The setup tutorial walks you thru learn how to arrange Schooltime in your baby’s watch, however should you skip it throughout setup, you’ll be able to handle it later. In your iPhone, faucet All Watches > Your Little one’s Watch > Schooltime > Edit Schedule.

I elected to show Schooltime on when my baby is in class and switch it off throughout afterschool care, however you can too click on Add Time should you’d like to show it on throughout a morning class, take a break for lunch, after which flip it again on once more. Your child can simply flip the digital crown to exit Schooltime, however that’s OK—you’ll be able to test their Schooltime stories in your iPhone too.

To handle your baby’s watch, go to your Watch > All Watches > Household Watches > Your Child’s Apple Watch. That is how you put in updates and handle settings. For extra settings you can activate or off, try Apple’s full list here. For instance, you’ll be able to test well being particulars, arrange a Medical ID, and even edit their good replies.

Enjoyable for Everybody

Simply as with a grown-up Apple Watch, the very first thing you’ll in all probability wish to do is swap the watch face. Maintain down the display and anticipate the face to shrink, and swipe to change. (You in all probability additionally wish to purchase a tiny kid-specific watch band.)

We received my daughter an Apple Watch, so I’d be capable to see her on Discover My, and she or he might contact me by way of cellphone or the Messages app, which she does with regrettable frequency.