Kids Phone iconKids Phone

Starting it with your class?

Kids Phone is better with friends. Kids can only call and text friends their parents approved, so every family that joins is one more friend your kid can call. A class, a sports team or a group of neighbors is the perfect place to start.

1. Send this to the parent group chat

Hi all! We're trying Kids Phone for our kid: it turns an old iPhone into a first phone, free. The phone starts locked, and kids earn screen time by reading, writing, doing math or calling friends their parents approved. It works best when friends have it too, so they can call each other. https://mykidphone.com

2. Set it up on your kid's phone

Install Kids Phone on the iPhone your kid will use (iPhone XR or newer, iOS 17+). Setup takes about five minutes: your kid's name and birthday, a username, a parent passcode, and Apple's Screen Time permission. From then on the phone is locked until your kid earns time.

3. Connect the kids

Each kid has a username and a secret word. To add a friend, open Friends, tap "Add a friend", type their username and their secret word, then a parent approves with the passcode. Easiest way: swap usernames and secret words between parents in the group chat, or let the kids scan each other's code in person (Friends → My code / Scan).

Good to know

Can strangers call my kid?

No. Only friends who know your kid's secret word can add them, and a parent approves every friend with the passcode. You can remove a friend any time.

Does it cost anything?

No. Kids Phone is free, with no ads, no subscription and no in-app purchases.

What do we need?

An iPhone XR or newer on iOS 17 or later, signed in to iCloud. A hand me down iPhone works great. Calls and texts need Wi-Fi or a data plan.

What does the school or teacher need to do?

Nothing. It's parent to parent. Some PTAs like to share this page with families who are thinking about a first phone.

Starting with a whole class or school?

Email [email protected] and we'll help you get everyone set up.