Updated September 2026: in 2021, with my children using an iPad for online classes, I wished iPadOS had a kids-only mode, a way to lock brightness, and protection from unsuitable ads in apps and YouTube. I have rewritten it into a guide to setting up an iPad for children with the tools that exist.
My children used the iPad for classes, games and videos. Three things bothered me. There was no kids-only mode to stop them opening other apps, including YouTube with its adverts and unsuitable videos. They learned to turn the brightness up as far as they liked. And some apps showed adverts that were not appropriate for children.
Is there a kids mode on iPad?
Not a separate user profile; iPads for home use still support one user. But two tools come close. Guided Access locks the iPad to a single app until a passcode is entered, which is ideal for a class or a game. Screen Time with Family Sharing lets you set up a child account with app limits, content restrictions and approval for downloads.
How do you set up Guided Access?
Turn it on in Settings, Accessibility, Guided Access, and set a passcode. Open the app, triple-click the top or home button and start the session. The child stays in that app, and you can also set a time limit for the session.
How do you manage YouTube for children?
- Use the YouTube Kids app, or a supervised account on YouTube, with age settings.
- Block the main YouTube app for the child's account in Screen Time if needed.
- For fewer ads, consider whether a YouTube Premium family plan suits your household.
Can you lock the brightness?
Not directly; iPadOS has no brightness lock. Guided Access keeps children inside one app, which limits casual changes, and turning on Auto-Brightness keeps the level reasonable for the room. Talking to children about why bright screens tire the eyes helps too.
How do you reduce unsuitable ads in apps?
Choose apps made for children, which follow stricter advertising rules on the App Store's Kids category. Paid versions of apps often remove ads altogether. In Screen Time, restrict apps by age rating and require approval for new downloads.