How to Turn Your iPhone into a Basic Phone for Kids (Without Apple Announcing It)

What happened?

An article published by Wired has uncovered a hidden iOS feature that allows turning an iPhone into a basic phone or 'dumb phone' for kids. It's the Guided Access option, an accessibility tool designed for people with cognitive disabilities that, when activated, limits the device to a single app and blocks access to other system functions. The Wired journalist discovered, almost by accident, that this setup is ideal for children to use the iPhone without distractions: they can only run the app the parent has selected (e.g., Phone or Messages), and any attempt to exit requires a passcode or biometric authentication. Thus, the iPhone becomes a basic phone with limited functions, no internet access, games, or social media.

This feature is not new: Apple introduced it in iOS 6 in 2012 as part of its accessibility tools, but its potential for parental control has gone unnoticed for over a decade. Unlike third-party solutions like Kids Place or Family Link, Guided Access is built into the system and requires no additional app installations or subscriptions. Moreover, it works on all iPhones with iOS 12 or later, covering models from the iPhone 5s (2013) to the latest iPhone 15. This means a device that would otherwise become obsolete can have a second life as a children's phone.

Why is it important?

In a context where the debate over smartphone use by minors is more relevant than ever, this feature offers a middle-ground solution: there's no need to buy a dumb phone or expose the child to a full device. Apple, without advertising it, already has the perfect tool for parents to control their children's mobile use without resorting to third-party apps or costly additional devices. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, 43% of parents of children aged 5 to 11 have already given them a smartphone, and 70% express concern about screen time and inappropriate content. Guided Access directly addresses these concerns by allowing the child to only use pre-approved apps.

Furthermore, the feature is available on all iPhones with iOS 12 or later, meaning millions of devices can be repurposed as children's phones with no extra investment. This has economic and environmental implications: it extends the lifespan of devices and reduces the need to manufacture new ones. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, extending a smartphone's lifespan by one year reduces its carbon footprint by approximately 30%. If only a fraction of the 1.5 billion iPhones in use were repurposed as children's phones, the environmental impact would be significant.

Compared to Google's approach, which offers Family Link for parental control on Android, Apple's solution is more restrictive but also simpler. Family Link allows setting time limits and filtering content, but it doesn't completely block access to other apps unless using 'approved apps only' mode, which requires setting up a child account. Guided Access, on the other hand, works on any account and doesn't require prior family profile setup.

Consequences for the market and users?

For parents, this feature means savings and peace of mind: they can hand over an old iPhone to their child knowing they won't access inappropriate content or make unauthorized purchases. For Apple, although it doesn't actively promote this feature, it could benefit from a perception of social responsibility by offering parental control tools at no extra cost. However, there are also limitations: the setup requires the parent or guardian to manually activate Guided Access each time the child uses the phone, and it doesn't allow dynamic app changes without unlocking the device. Additionally, it's not a complete parental control solution, as it doesn't filter web content or manage usage times. To cover these gaps, Apple recommends combining Guided Access with Screen Time, introduced in iOS 12, which allows setting time limits by app category and restricting the installation of new apps. Together, both tools offer fairly robust control.

In the market, this feature directly competes with dumb phones like the Punkt MP02 or Light Phone II, which cost between $200 and $400. For parents who already have an old iPhone at home, Guided Access eliminates the need to buy an additional device. This could pressure dumb phone manufacturers to differentiate with features like extreme battery life or minimalist design, as they lose their main advantage: simplicity.

From a user perspective, the feature has a positive impact on children's autonomy: the child can call or send messages without distractions, fostering direct communication. However, it also raises privacy questions, as the parent must set the passcode and can monitor usage. Apple does not collect usage data from Guided Access, but call and message history remains accessible if the parent has the device's unlock code.

What should readers know?

To activate this feature: go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and turn it on. Then, open the app you want the child to use (e.g., Phone) and triple-click the side (or Home) button to start Guided Access. Adjust options (disable Touch, Buttons, etc.) and tap Start. The child won't be able to leave that app without your code. It's also recommended to configure Screen Time to limit total device usage time and restrict app installation. Combining both tools provides fairly robust control.

It's important to note that Guided Access is not a security solution: a clever child could restart the iPhone by forcing a shutdown, which would deactivate the mode, although it would require the device's unlock code. Additionally, if the child knows the Guided Access passcode (which the parent must keep secret), they could disable it. Therefore, it's recommended to use a different code from the iPhone's unlock code.

In summary, the Guided Access feature is an underrated resource that can transform any iPhone into a basic phone for kids, without the need for advertising or additional hardware. Parents should know about it and take advantage of it. Apple, by integrating this tool without fanfare, shows that sometimes the best solutions are hidden in plain sight.