It’s not unusual for parents to want to let their kids use a phone with limitations—and to enforce those limitations with restrictions in the operating system itself. Apple offers a variety of ways to shape access in iOS via Settings > General > Restrictions. After turning the feature on and setting a four-digit code—this isn’t the same as the phone’s overall passcode—you can prevent use of certain hardware features, App Store actions, access to rated content, and so forth.
But a parent writes in asking about outgoing phone calls. She wonders if a phone could be locked to only make calls to numbers listed in the Contacts app, and whether the Contacts app could be locked to prevent changes.
Unfortunately, Apple offers no way to lock outgoing calls. Apple doesn’t even let you lock Contacts. Android offers this and more extensive parental-control features through third-party apps, which the OS gives more options for control over the calling part of the operating system.
Ask Mac 911
We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com including screen captures as appropriate, and whether you want your full name used. Every question won’t be answered, we don’t reply to email, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.
Author: Glenn Fleishman, Senior Contributor
Glenn Fleishman’s most recent books include Take Control of iOS and iPadOS Privacy and Security, Take Control of Calendar and Reminders, and Take Control of Securing Your Mac. In his spare time, he writes about printing and type history. He’s a senior contributor to Macworld, where he writes Mac 911.