WhatsApp adds parent-controlled accounts on iPhone

WhatsApp is making it easier for parents to set up supervised accounts on iPhones. The company has added a new onboarding flow that walks adults through creating a linked account for their child. The change appears in the latest beta builds of WhatsApp for iOS and is expected to roll out widely in coming weeks.

The update comes as more families look to give kids their own phones while keeping some oversight. Parents have long asked for better tools to manage when and how their children use messaging apps. WhatsApp already lets adults link accounts and set screen time limits, but the setup process was clunky and hard to find. This new flow simplifies that by guiding users step by step through the process.

The beta version shows a dedicated “Create supervised account” button in the app’s settings. After tapping it, parents are prompted to add their child’s phone number and verify the link with a QR code or one-time password. They can then choose default privacy settings and daily usage limits before handing the phone back. WhatsApp hasn’t said when the feature will leave beta, but the change suggests it’s close to release.

For parents tired of juggling multiple devices or relying on third-party parental controls, this could be a game changer. It keeps kids connected to their friends while giving adults peace of mind. Once widely available, the tool may pressure other messaging apps to add similar family features—or risk losing users to WhatsApp’s simpler approach.