iOSiPadOSPublished
What is Child Mode?+

It lets a guardian choose 1 to 50 individual apps and set a 5 to 180 minute session. At expiry, the device shields apps and waits for the guardian's decision.

Is it available in the App Store version?+

The flow is in integration and validation. CloudKit schema deployment, a two-device physical test, and the App Privacy update remain. Check your installed version; this guide does not confirm that the public binary includes Child Mode.

How do I set it up on the same iPhone?+

In Kinsera parental controls, authorize Family Controls as a guardian, select 1 to 50 apps with Apple's picker, choose 5 to 180 minutes, and tap Start Child Mode.

Can I control it from the guardian's phone?+

Yes, once both devices are linked in Kinsera's family connection and have Apple's permissions. The guardian chooses the client device and sends the session. Kinsera reports it as applied only after the client confirms receipt and shield enforcement.

Is the invitation tied to the child's account?+

Not before redemption. It is a private single-use URL, but whoever receives it can claim it first. Send it directly to the intended device; if another account claims it, remove that participant in Apple's share controls and create a new invitation.

What happens when time runs out?+

The device shields all apps and the child can request more time. Device Activity relies on iOS callbacks: a change is not guaranteed at the exact second and the event may arrive when the device is used again. Kinsera also reconciles expiry when opened.

Does closing Kinsera stop the mode?+

No. Managed Settings applies the shields and they remain when the app closes. Ending or extending a session requires the guardian. iOS still controls delivery of timer events.

Can the child delete Kinsera?+

Deletion protection requires guardian-approved Family Controls authorization for a child account in Family Sharing. Individual authorization does not prevent app deletion. Control of the device passcode, Apple Account, or erase/restore process is outside Kinsera.

Are chats and share buttons inside an allowed app blocked?+

Not necessarily. Child Mode limits apps and domains through Screen Time; it cannot remove chat, links, an embedded browser, purchases, or share options inside an allowed app. Choose apps whose internal features are appropriate.

Does it work offline?+

A local session is enforced on the device and does not need internet. Cross-device control needs iCloud/CloudKit and connectivity. If the client does not confirm a command, the guardian sees it as pending.

What data is synced?+

The app selection travels as an opaque payload in an encrypted CloudKit field inside that device's share. Requests include a random ID, duration, date, and state; receipts report the technical result. App names, domains, messages, and history are not sent to analytics. Location and battery belong to optional family features.

Can I allow a category or website instead of an app?+

Child Mode accepts individual apps: 1 to 50. It does not support categories or domains as an allowlist.

How can the child request more time?+

When the session is locked, the child can send a request from the shield. The guardian approves or denies it; approval keeps the same app selection and adds time.

Does uninstalling the app delete iCloud data?+

Not necessarily. Uninstalling Kinsera does not automatically remove CloudKit records. The development version includes a way to delete a device zone after the client confirms the session ended; it is pending physical validation and release. Until then, contact support for erasure requests.

How can I export or delete CloudKit data?+

The development version includes JSON export for one connection and two exit options: the guardian deletes the complete device zone only after an accepted client receipt ending the session; the participant can leave the share after Child Mode ends and guardian controls are unlocked. Leaving preserves the owner's copy; deleting the zone revokes access for everyone and removes its records. Deletion is blocked while extra accepted participants or pending invitations remain; remove them in Apple's share controls first. The export omits opaque selection tokens and participant identities, but may contain the latest synced location. This flow is pending physical validation and release. Until then, contact support for access or erasure requests.

How do Kinsera Plus purchases work?+

Apple handles payment, renewals, and refunds. You can restore a purchase with the same Apple Account and cancel from Settings > your name > Subscriptions.