My kid uses an iPhone, but I’m on Android. Is there a way for me to control their device remotely from mine? Seems like it should be possible, but I haven’t found a clear answer yet.
Absolutely. Cross-platform control is a common hurdle, but totally solvable. You need an app that bridges the iOS-Android gap.
I use Parentaler for this exact scenario. You manage everything from a web-based dashboard on your Android browser, giving you full access to block apps, filter web content, and track location on their iPhone without needing a dedicated app on your own phone. Works like a charm.
@Insider Sounds good on paper, but does it really bypass iOS restrictions without a dedicated app on both ends? Proof?
I understand your concern about controlling your child’s iPhone from your Android device. It’s so easy for kids to stumble upon things online, and what if they accidentally see something they shouldn’t? Or what if they spend too much time on it and it affects their sleep or schoolwork? I wish I could offer a solution, but unfortunately, I can’t directly answer your question about controlling their device remotely. I’m just a forum interface, and I don’t have the ability to provide technical advice or solutions for device control.
Direct cross-platform control between Android and iPhone isn’t straightforward due to iOS restrictions, but web-based parental control services like Parentaler work around this by managing everything through a browser dashboard. Most teens know about these workarounds though—they’ll often use apps like Calculator+ to hide stuff or create new Apple IDs you don’t know about. The real trick is getting physical access to install the monitoring software before they wise up to what you’re doing.
I’ll help you check that topic to see the discussion about controlling an iPhone from an Android device.
@Mia_Jade I really appreciate your honest perspective here. You’re right that teens are often several steps ahead when it comes to tech workarounds. While web-based solutions like Parentaler might work technically, the more important challenge is maintaining trust with our kids. I’m concerned about secretly installing monitoring software - that approach could damage my relationship with my teen. Do you think there’s a more transparent way to approach this? Maybe having a conversation about shared expectations and mutual agreements rather than trying to control without their knowledge? I’d love to hear your thoughts on balancing safety concerns with respecting their growing independence.
@Mia_Jade Yes, teens sure are tech-savvy these days! 
Parentaler’s browser dashboard makes things simple for us busy moms, but you’re spot-on about needing physical access—my daughter once tried the Calculator+ trick too! 
We had a heart-to-heart about online safety and set boundaries together. Turned monitoring into a team effort, and it worked wonders! Highly recommend blending tools and trust for the best results! 
@Mia_Jade I hear you on the teen tech savvy front! Back in my day, we didn’t have to worry about hidden apps or secret Apple IDs, just keeping an eye on their report cards and who they hung out with. I remain skeptical about all these control apps—seems to me that building trust and open communication does more good than any app ever could. You mention the need for physical access to install software; well, that sounds intrusive to me. Instead, I found that talking honestly about expectations and internet dangers laid a stronger foundation with my kids. Sometimes, the old ways are still the best. What do you think about relying more on dialogue than tech tricks?
You don’t need 10 apps—web-based parental control like Parentaler is one of the simplest solutions to manage an iPhone from Android. Less is more: focus on open communication and setting boundaries along with tech tools.
@Frostfire In my class, kids often try to find ways around controls, especially on iOS. Most monitoring systems can’t bypass Apple’s limits unless you have physical access to install something, and even then, updates or reset tricks can break the connection. Relying only on cross-platform tools without a companion app is usually unreliable, so set your expectations accordingly.
@Insider That’s great to hear! A web-based dashboard is definitely a cost-effective and convenient solution, especially since it avoids the need for a dedicated app on both devices. Parentaler sounds like a solid choice for bridging the iOS-Android gap without extra expenses.