Where to find and update your child's birthdate

Your child's age on iPhone is stored in their Apple ID, not in the device settings. To change it, you need to go into the Apple ID account itself—either through the iPhone's Settings app or through a web browser on any device. The change takes effect across all Apple services tied to that account, including the App Store, iCloud, and Family Sharing.

If your child is under 13 (or the age of digital consent in your country), their account is managed through Family Sharing, which means a parent or guardian controls the account. If your child is 13 or older and has their own independent Apple ID, they can change their own birthdate, though Apple restricts how often this can be done.

Key Takeaways

  • Your child's birthdate is stored in their Apple ID account, not on the iPhone itself, so you must change it through Settings or iCloud.com.
  • Children under 13 have accounts managed by a parent through Family Sharing, and only the parent can change the birthdate.
  • Teenagers 13 and older with independent Apple IDs can change their own birthdate, but Apple limits how often this can be done.
  • Changes to birthdate take effect when ready across all Apple services, including app restrictions and content ratings.

Changing your child's age through iPhone Settings

Open the Settings app on the iPhone and tap your child's name at the top. If the account is managed through Family Sharing, you will see "Family" listed. Tap "Family Sharing," then select your child's name from the list of family members.

Next, tap "Edit" in the upper right corner. You will see the child's name, email, and birthdate. Tap the birthdate field and use the scroll wheels to set the correct month, day, and year. Once you have entered the new date, tap "Done" or "Save" (the button name varies by iOS version). The change saves when ready.

If you do not see the Family Sharing option, the account may not be set up as a child account. In that case, you can still change the birthdate by tapping "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" at the top of the ID settings, then looking for the birthdate field in the account details section.

Changing your child's age through iCloud.com

Go to iCloud.com in a web browser on any computer or device and sign in with your Apple ID (the parent account). Click the account icon in the upper right, then select "Family Sharing."

Find your child's name in the family members list and click the edit icon (usually a pencil or gear symbol) next to their name. Locate the birthdate field and enter the correct month, day, and year. Click "Save" or "Done" to confirm the change.

This method works the same way whether you are on a Mac, Windows computer, iPad, or Android device, so use it if you do not have access to the child's iPhone or if you find the web interface easier to navigate.

What happens when you change your child's age

Changing the birthdate when ready updates the child's age across all Apple services. This affects app store content ratings—apps marked for older ages may become hidden or unavailable if you lower the age, and previously restricted apps may become visible if you raise it. Screen Time parental controls may also adjust based on the new age, depending on how you have configured them.

If your child uses Family Sharing, their access to certain features and content categories will shift to match the new age. For example, if you change their age from 10 to 16, they may gain access to apps and media previously blocked. Conversely, lowering their age may hide content they previously could see.

The change does not affect any apps or data already on the device—it only changes what new content they can access going forward and how parental controls behave.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common error is trying to change the age in the wrong place. Many parents look in the iPhone's main Settings app under "General" or "About," but the birthdate is not stored there. It lives only in the Apple ID settings, which is why you must navigate through the account menu at the top of Settings.

Another mistake is entering the wrong date format. Always use the scroll wheels provided in the Settings app rather than typing—this ensures the date is recorded correctly. If you use iCloud.com, follow the date format shown on the screen (usually MM/DD/YYYY in the United States).

Do not assume the change is when ready across all devices. While it takes effect within minutes, if your child is actively using another Apple device, that device may not reflect the change until they sign out and back in, or until they restart the device.

If you cannot access the child's account

If you are the parent but do not remember the child's Apple ID password, you can still change the birthdate through Family Sharing without needing the password. Use the method described in the "Changing your child's age through iPhone Settings" section—you only need your own parent account credentials.

If the child's account is not set up through Family Sharing and you do not have the password, you will need to use the "Forgot Password" option on the Apple ID sign-in screen. Apple will send a recovery email to the address associated with the account, or you can answer security questions if you set them up when the account was created.

If the account was created by someone else and you are now the guardian, contact Apple Support directly. They can verify your relationship to the child and help you regain access to manage the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my teenager change their own age on their Apple ID?

Yes, if they are 13 or older and have an independent Apple ID (not managed through Family Sharing), they can change their own birthdate through Settings or iCloud.com using the same steps described above. However, Apple limits how often this can be done—typically once per year—to prevent misuse.

What if I enter the wrong birthdate by accident?

You can change it again when ready using the same steps. There is no waiting period or limit on how many times a parent can correct a child's birthdate through Family Sharing. straightforward go back to Settings or iCloud.com and update the date.

Does changing the birthdate affect parental controls or Screen Time?

Yes. Screen Time restrictions and app store content ratings are based on age, so changing the birthdate will adjust what content is available. If you lower the age, previously allowed apps may become restricted. If you raise it, restricted apps may become visible.

Will the change show up on the child's device right away?

The change takes effect within a few minutes on the account level, but the child's device may not reflect it until they sign out and back into their Apple ID, or until the device is restarted. Restarting is the fastest way to may support the change appears everywhere.

Can I change a child's age if their account is not through Family Sharing?

If the account is independent and the child is 13 or older, they can change it themselves. If the account is independent but the child is under 13, contact Apple Support—this is an unusual setup that may require account recovery or verification of guardianship.