Navigating the world of apps with kids can be tricky, especially when it comes to Apple IDs and age restrictions. Many parents using Apple’s Family Sharing encounter confusion when their children are unable to sign into certain apps using their Apple ID. This article breaks down the common issues and explains how to manage app access for your child’s Apple ID.
One frequent question from parents is why their child, who is part of their Family Sharing group, can’t use their Apple ID to sign into certain apps. Often, the apps themselves have no age-related restrictions, being rated for ages 4 and up. The issue arises from Apple’s “Sign in with Apple” feature and inherent age limitations.
As Apple clearly states in their support documentation, “Sign in with Apple is not available for children under 13 years old. This age may vary by country or region. This age restriction doesn’t apply to Managed Apple IDs.” This means that for children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age in their region), the ability to use “Sign in with Apple” is automatically blocked. This is an Apple ID restriction, not necessarily an app restriction.
It’s important to differentiate between app age ratings and Apple ID restrictions. An app listed with a 4+ rating in the App Store indicates it’s generally suitable for young children content-wise. However, this rating doesn’t override the Apple ID’s age-based restrictions on features like “Sign in with Apple.”
Family Sharing is designed to manage content sharing and parental controls across Apple devices. While it allows parents to manage purchases, screen time, and location sharing for their children, it does not bypass the fundamental age restrictions built into Apple IDs regarding features like “Sign in with Apple”. There isn’t a setting within Family Sharing to override this specific age gate for app sign-ins.
Currently, there isn’t a direct workaround to enable “Sign in with Apple” for children under 13 using a standard child Apple ID within Family Sharing. The age restriction is a fundamental part of Apple’s service terms for child accounts.
To manage your Family Sharing settings and understand the features available for your child’s Apple ID, you can follow these steps on your iPhone or iPad:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on your Apple ID name at the top.
- Select Family Sharing.
Here you can manage various aspects of your Family Sharing group, including:
- Purchase Sharing: Manage how purchases are shared among family members.
- Screen Time: Set limits for app usage and device downtime.
- Location Sharing: Track family members’ locations.
- Apple Cash Family: Set up and manage Apple Cash for family members.
- Subscriptions: Share Apple subscriptions like Apple Music or Apple TV+.
While Family Sharing offers extensive parental controls, it’s essential to understand its limitations, particularly concerning age restrictions on Apple ID features like “Sign in with Apple.” For apps requiring account logins for children under 13, alternative methods might be necessary, depending on the app’s available login options, or waiting until the child reaches the age of 13 when these restrictions are automatically lifted by Apple.
For further information and detailed explanations, you can refer to Apple’s official support documents on “Sign in with Apple” and Family Sharing.
