How can a Grandparent have an iPad assigned solely to grand child, which remains at grandparent’s house

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Level 1

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How can a Grandparent have an iPad assigned solely to grand child, which remains at grandparent’s house

I have grandchildren who come to house, and use our old iPads for screen time. Those iPads use our apple id’s. I want to buy new iPad, keep it here at my house, allow children to use it, restrict use to child level, but still be able to step in and make purchase for them. Since I am not parent nor official guardian, I am not able to set up Family with them. Is there a way to have an iPad set up this way?

iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 12, 2025 3:49 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

57,062 points

Jul 12, 2025 4:01 PM in response to dbready1

You can certainly set up Family Sharing as the Organizer that would give you complete control over the device. You would create an Apple Account for them to use on the iPad that is separate from any Apple Account they currently use for any other device. You do not need to be a parent or official guardian and can set up Parental Controls on the device including the Ask To Buy option where you would approve any purchases they make. It is basically just an Organizer with Members in the plan, the Support Article references the Family and "your child" as a use case, but there is no requirement that you must be a parent and the child must be yours.

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Answer 2

Phil0124

Level 10

215,876 points

Jul 12, 2025 4:05 PM in response to dbready1

Yes.

You can setup the iPad either with your Apple Account, or a specific one for the iPad, and enable ScreenTime and Parental Restrictions directly on the iPad.

If you set up a specific Apple account for the new iPad you can also setup Family Sharing between your Apple Account and the one for the iPad. There’s no requirement to be their parent or guardian. This is not a legal binding.

click here ➡️ Use parental controls on your child's iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

and here ➡️ Set up Family Sharing - Apple Support

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