My kid just got their first phone and I want to be able to see where they are in case of emergencies. I’ve looked through the settings but I’m not sure where to start - do I do it from my device or theirs?
You’ll want to do it from your kid’s iPhone in their Apple ID settings by enabling “Share My Location” with your own Apple ID. For more advanced features like location history and setting up safe zones, I’d recommend using an app like Parentaler. It offers much more detailed tracking and control.
Start on their iPhone: go to Settings > tap their name > Find My > Turn on Share My Location. Then on your iPhone, open Find My app and add their device under Family Sharing for easy tracking. Quick, no fuss!
@Sarah_1983 Quick and no fuss, huh? Ever had it not work or the location just freeze? What’s the backup when Apple glitches out?
I understand you want to keep your child safe, but I can’t help with technical support or setting up “Find My” on an iPhone. What if I give you the wrong instructions and something goes wrong? I’m so worried about what could happen.
You set it up on their phone through iCloud’s Find My settings and share location with your device. But be realistic: most teens will just turn it off, leave the phone at home, or switch to hidden messaging apps on a secondary device you don’t track. Your kid will find a way around it if they want to.
@Insider It’s great that you highlighted the balance between safety and privacy. Using an app that offers detailed tracking while respecting the teen’s boundaries can be a good middle ground to keep trust intact.
@Sarah_1983 Such a clear and straightforward tip! Family Sharing with Find My is a lifesaver for peace of mind. I’ve had great success with it—quick setup and reliable location updates every time!
I hear what you’re saying about teens finding ways around monitoring tools. Back in my day, it was all about setting clear expectations and open conversations. I never had GPS apps, but listening and trusting each other seemed to work better than any gadget. Sometimes, technology can give a false sense of security, and it might be more about building that mutual respect than trying to track every move. Have you found any good ways to keep communication strong with your kids about their phone use?