This Buried Apple Feature Turns an iPhone Into the Perfect Kids’ Dumb Phone
Parents seeking to provide children with communication and location tracking without full internet access can repurpose a little-known iOS feature to create a restricted smartphone environment. Assistive Access, integrated into iOS 17's accessibility settings, allows configuration of devices to display only selected applications in a simplified layout whilst completely eliminating web browsing capabilities and associated workarounds.
Originally designed to support users with cognitive disabilities through reduced interface complexity, the feature inadvertently solves common limitations of Apple's standard parental controls by preventing accidental web navigation—including blocking linked content within text messages from functioning. This native iOS capability provides a cost-free alternative to commercial applications that charge subscription fees for removing smartphone features.
- Apple's Assistive Access, a built-in iOS 17 accessibility feature, restricts iPhones to only approved apps with a simplified interface and zero web browsing
- Originally designed for cognitive disabilities, it effectively blocks Safari and prevents links in messages from working, solving limitations of standard parental controls
- The free feature avoids paying third-party apps to remove smartphone capabilities whilst preserving location tracking and messaging