Help your child set up a Mac

Set up a Mac so that your child can use it securely with their own user account and Apple ID, but with the usage limits you specify.

Set up a standard macOS user account

To prevent your child from making unwanted changes, set up a standard user account for them, not an administrator account. Because a child with an administrator account can make changes that affect all accounts on that Mac.

macOS Ventura or later

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.

2. Click Users & Groups in the sidebar.

3. Click Add User (or Add Account) on the right.

4. Enter your adminstrator password when prompted.

5. Choose Standard from the New Account pop-up menu.

6. Complete the name and password fields, then click Create User.

7. When done, restart your Mac or choose Apple menu  > Log Out.

8. At the login window, choose the new account you created, then log in with its name and password.

9. A setup assistant will guide you through the remaining steps to set up the account. When it asks you to sign in with your Apple Account (or Apple ID), enter your child's Apple Account information, not your own.

If both you and your child will use the same Mac, remember to log out of your user account when done. Your Mac offers several ways to quickly switch between users.

Earlier versions of macOS

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Users & Groups.

2. Click the lock, then enter your administrator password.

3. Click the add button below the list of users.

4. Choose Standard from the New Account pop-up menu.

5. Complete the name and password fields, then click Create User.

6. When done, restart your Mac or choose Apple menu  > Log Out.

7. At the login window, choose the new account you created, then log in with its name and password.

8. A setup assistant will guide you through the remaining steps to set up the account. When it asks you to sign in with your Apple ID, enter your child's Apple Account information, not your own.

If both you and your child will use the same Mac, remember to log out of your user account when done. Your Mac offers several ways to quickly switch between users.

Set usage limits

With Screen Time, you can monitor usage, schedule downtime, and set usage limits.

Set up Screen Time

Set up an Apple Account and Family Sharing

Everyone, including your child, should use their own Apple Account. And with Family Sharing, your family can share subscriptions like Apple Music, iCloud storage, and more without sharing personal information like email, text messages, or passwords. Family members can also share purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, Apple TV app, and Apple Books.

Create an Apple Account for your child

Turn on Find My

Find My helps find and protect your child's device if it’s ever lost or stolen. Any member of your Family Sharing group can help find another member’s device.

Turn on Find My

Turn on Ask to Buy

If you want your child to get permission before they buy items, download free apps, or sign up for a subscription, set up Ask to Buy. It's automatically turned on for children under 13.

Turn on Ask to Buy